Hypnosis Myths

An introduction would not be complete without addressing some misconceptions and mistaken beliefs about hypnosis.  Such misunderstandings are often the result of lay and stage hypnotists performing for purposes of  entertainment.  Also, culture and media often portray hypnosis being used by an evil villain who casts a cult-like spell to subdue then control its subject for malevolent purposes. 

Myth 1:  The hypnotherapist casts a spell onto and exerts power over the subject.
During hypnosis, the subject focuses on the sound of the hypnotherapist’s voice and the suggestions that enhance the success of a task or performance, but the trance experience is generated by the subject.  The power of entering a trance comes from the subject.  Of course, the environment that a hypnotherapist provides can certainly enhance and utilize the subject’s talents for entering into a hypnotic state.  Nonetheless, the power of hypnosis lies within the subject.  The subject is the person in control.

Myth 2:  Hypnosis is sleep.
The word” sleep” is  often used during hypnosis.  However, hypnosis, as mentioned earlier, is a heightened state of concentration.  Hypnosis is an altered state of attention as opposed to actual sleep.  While in an altered state, a few subjects may focus deeply and not recall part or all of a session.   However, the majority of subjects remember the entire session and only a few may enter into a deep trance where some amnesia occurs for part of the session. 

Myth 3:  People who are hypnotized are weak-minded.
As stated in Myth 1, the subject is in control of entering into the hypnotic state called trance.  Therefore, being hypnotizable is actually a talent or skill and in no way implies weak-mindedness.  Contrary to weak-mindedness, the goal of hypnosis is to help the subject increase awareness of his or her own inner resources.  Hypnosis aims to empower the subject to take control of his or her own life.

Myth 4:  A hypnotherapist can make you do things against your will and look foolish.
Myth 4 most likely stems from stage hypnotists, movies, or television where a person is cast under a spell and does the bidding of the hypnotist.  Stage hypnotist are very sensitive to “reading” a person’s willingness to be on stage.   If a person does not want to go along with any suggestion, they will not!  This myth is connected with Myth 3 in that it suggests the person is weak-minded.