Five Common Myths About Hypnosis
Years ago I shared an article by Mark Tyrrell of Uncommon Knowledge called “5 Hypnosis Myths Exploded.” It’s still one of the topics I’m asked about most, so here is my own take, updated with what research tells us today.
Myth 1: All hypnosis is the same
Hypnosis varies enormously in style and quality. Old-fashioned, authoritarian hypnosis (“You are getting sleepy… you will feel confident”) suits some people but leaves others cold. The Ericksonian approach I use is more conversational and permissive: it works with your own language, imagery and preferences rather than issuing commands. Tyrrell compared it to the difference between a coach who yells and a leader who understands motivation, and I think that’s a good analogy.
Myth 2: Subliminal recordings will change you while you sleep
Messages you can’t consciously hear are a different thing from hypnosis. Research on subliminal self-help recordings has generally not found the dramatic effects that marketing promises. Hypnosis works with your attention, not around it.
Myth 3: Some people simply can’t be hypnotized
This one is partly true, and the old article overstated it. Research shows that responsiveness to hypnosis varies: a minority of people are highly responsive, a minority respond only a little, and most people are somewhere in between. Low responsiveness has nothing to do with intelligence or willpower. In practice, almost everyone can enjoy relaxation and focused imagery, and a flexible practitioner can adapt the approach to suit you.
Myth 4: Hypnosis is something weird that someone does to you
Hypnosis builds on everyday experiences: getting lost in a film, driving a familiar route on autopilot, or daydreaming. Think about how you can make yourself anxious just by imagining something going wrong. That’s your imagination influencing your body, the same capacity we use constructively in hypnosis. All hypnosis is, in a sense, self-hypnosis: I guide, but you do the experiencing.
Myth 5: You lose control in hypnosis
Stage shows and movies have created the impression that a hypnotized person is under someone else’s control. In reality you are relaxed and focused, you can hear what’s said, and you can choose to open your eyes, speak, or stop at any time. You won’t reveal secrets you don’t want to share, and you won’t get “stuck.” Stage volunteers are typically outgoing people who are happy to play along.
A bonus myth: hypnosis can recover hidden memories
Hypnosis can make memories feel vivid, but it doesn’t make them more accurate and can even create false ones. That’s why I don’t use hypnosis for memory “recovery,” and focus instead on how you want to feel and act going forward.
Try it for yourself
If you’ve been curious but unsure, the best way to clear up the myths is to experience a session in a safe, professional setting.
If you’d like to find out whether this approach is a good fit for you, I offer a free, no-pressure consultation. Get in touch here and we can talk it through.
