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When you hear the word “hypnosis,” do you think of:
A) Swinging pocket watches
B) Mind control
C) Someone clucking like a chicken on stage
D) All of the above
If you chose any of these, it’s time to debunk those myths and misconceptions about hypnosis and uncover what hypnosis is really all about!
Hypnosis History
Have you ever been “mesmerized” by something?
Fun Fact: The word "mesmerized" actually comes from the last name of Franz Mesmer, an 18th-century German physician who is considered the “father of hypnosis.”
Mesmer developed a theory of "animal magnetism," believing that natural energy flowed between all living things, which could be manipulated to induce healing. While Mesmer’s theory was later debunked, his practices laid the groundwork for modern hypnotism.
Hypnotic Entertainment
As hypnotism evolved, stage hypnosis emerged, with mesmerists (hypnotists) performing entertaining shows that often left audiences mesmerized—and most of us skeptical! The idea of volunteers hypnotized in a trance seemingly losing control and clucking like chickens or forgetting their own names captured people’s imaginations. This is where the myths and misconceptions about hypnotism come in.
The Rise of Hypnotherapy
While hypnotists continued entertaining crowds, the clinical psychology community continued to explore and study hypnosis for therapeutic purposes. Sigmund Freud himself dabbled in the practice, noting that patients could relive traumatic events while under hypnosis, which provided insight into their subconscious minds. While Freud eventually moved away from hypnosis in favor of psychoanalysis, the clinical community continued to develop hypnosis as a therapeutic techinique.
Today, hypnotherapy is used as a powerful method of subconscious suggestion, helping clients achieve their goals—for everything from reducing stress and anxiety to managing chronic pain, quitting smoking, overcoming phobias, improving sleep and weight loss. It’s also used to help boost confidence, enhance focus, treat trauma, and reduce symptoms of medical conditions. Hypnosis can help you to remember the past or even regress to a past life.
Hypnosis has evolved from mystical myth into a versatile tool for personal growth and healing. Check out my article, Hypnosis: What It Is And How It Works, to learn more.
5 Common Myths and Misconceptions About Hypnosis
Given these sensational origins, it’s easy to understand why hypnosis is so mysterious. Even the word “hypnotic” evokes the idea that someone is under mind control! Let’s explore the top 5 common myths and misconceptions about hypnosis and set the record straight.
Myth 1: Hypnosis Is for Entertainment
While the hypnotic behavior of audience members under the control of a dazzling hypnotist on stage is entertaining, hypnosis is now more commonly practiced as a therapy than as a side show! Many people are using hypnotherapy to successfully manage pain, reduce anxiety, and overcome phobias. Trained clinical hypnotherapists offer relaxing sessions in professional offices and online—and of course this is all confidential between the hypnotherapist and the client (not in front of an audience)! Hypnotherapy can also be practiced on your own, listening to recordings privately in your home or through self-hypnosis.
Myth 2: A Hypnotist Can Control Your Mind
It’s true that hypnosis reaches your subconscious mind while you are in a trance. But you’re not going do anything against your will! Hypnosis is actually empowering.
Hypnosis can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. It’s all about relaxation and focus, not losing control. Rather than a mystical state where someone controls your mind, hypnosis is a focused state of relaxation. Think of it as guided meditation with a purpose—it helps you tap into your subconscious mind to make positive changes in your thoughts or behavior. In this way, self-hypnosis is also effective (eliminating the need for a hypnotist if you prefer to go it alone).
Myth 3: Only Suggestible, Weak Minded People Can Be Hypnotized
Hypnosis isn’t just for the suggestible or weak minded. Almost anyone can be hypnotized, as long as they’re open to it. Intentionally relaxing into a trance and listening to suggestions is not passive at all. You are in the driver’s seat deciding your course of actions and what suggestions you want to be true for you.
A hypnotic state is more about being willing and able to relax rather than in a trance completely under the control of a hypnotist’s magical ability. Once you understand this, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about if you are easily hypnotizable or suggestible by hypnosis. Being hypnotizable is a strength, not a weakness.
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Myth 4: You’ll Be Asleep During Hypnosis
While you can listen to hypnosis tracks while asleep, you are not always snoozing through hypnosis. Hypnosis works best when you are in a deeply relaxed state, or trance. When you are in this hypnotic state—yet still fully aware of what’s going on around you—your subconscious mind can receive suggestions for improving your wellbeing.
Myth 5: Hypnosis Is Dangerous And You Might Not Come Out Of A Hypnotic Trance
A common misconception is you could accidentally be programmed to cluck like a chicken forever. That’s certainly a comical scenario, but it’s entertainment. Hypnosis is completely safe, harmless, and relaxing. No one’s getting trapped in a trance forever and doomed to follow a hypnotist’s ridiculous suggestions! Hypnosis is a gentle therapy designed to help you reach your chosen wellbeing goals.
3 Facts You Should Know About Hypnosis
FACT 1: Being Hypnotized Is Empowering
Hypnosis is simply a tool for positive change—no swinging pocket watches required! A hypnotic trance helps empower you to understand your subconscious thoughts and past memories. Being in a trance is not about following suggestions but about empowering your subconscious mind with your desires. You get to decide the suggestions for your hypnosis session.
FACT 2: Hypnotherapists Are Trusted Wellbeing Practitioners
Hypnotherapists, unlike stage hypnotists, are trained practitioners who support your wellbeing and have your best interest at heart. They use hypnosis as a therapeutic tool to help you achieve specific goals, whether it’s reducing anxiety, breaking bad habits, remembering and working through trauma, or fostering personal growth.
FACT 3: Hypnosis comes in many forms.
You can be hypnotized by audio tracks, such as those on Aura, during an in-person or online session, or even with a few self-hypnosis techniques. While you sleep, listening to a track of suggestions can help influence your subconscious mind but you can also use hypnosis while fully awake to relax, focus, and work through specific challenges. The flexibility of hypnosis means it can be easily tailored to fit your lifestyle and needs.
Some recommended Hypnosis tracks on Aura:
- Gain Motivation and Energy Sleep Hypnosis by Nicky Sutton
- Visualize Acheivement Hypnosis by Michelle Walters
- Feel Confident Now! Hypnosis by Teena Jones
Drop The Myths And Discover The Power of Hypnotism For Healing and Personal Growth
While it’s fun to believe the myths and misconceptions, if you’re not taking hypnosis seriously, you could be missing out and valid techniques to improve your wellbeing. Get past the hoopla of hypnotists and start exploring hypnosis to experience a deeply relaxing and safe hypnotic state—a trance for healing and personal growth. Professional hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis might be just what you need to make positive improvements to your life.
If you’re looking for more guidance and community support, along with gratitude meditations to support your journey, join me at Aura, the most holistic meditation app on the market, for 30 days free.
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