What is Hypnosis Like?
A lot of people are curious as to what it’s like to be hypnotized. What does it feel like? Does the hypnotist take over one’s mind? Does the person lose control to the hypnotist during a session? Let’s go through these points one at a time and get a closer look.
What does hypnosis feel like?
Depending on what level of trance (there are many and they vary in depth) or hypnotic state the person goes into, sometimes it feels like being “zoned out”. It can feel similar to the experience of driving home at the end of a long day. You are aware of what’s going on but you’re not 100% focused on only the road. Your mind may wonder and drift thinking about many things other than driving. You might get lost in a daydream or thinking of the upcoming weekend. Then all of a sudden you’re home and you realize, “Oh wow, I went through three traffic lights. Were they red? I hope not. Were they green? Did I go when I was supposed to go?” You were aware that you were driving but you were not completely focused on the road. Your unconscious mind was taking care of you and navigating your way home while your conscious mind “zoned out”.
Another client of mine described it as watching two movies at once. Your conscious mind is one screen playing a movie and your unconscious mind is playing on another. They are both playing at the same time and they take turns having a greater focus but you are aware of both movies in some capacity.
Does the hypnotist take over one’s mind?
As a hypnotist, when I am working with someone, I act as their GPS. Pretend I am on a road with a person let’s call them Bob. He is the one in the driver’s seat and the one in control of the car. I, as the hypnotist, am merely in the passenger seat. Before we begin driving he tells me, the GPS, what his destination is. It could be to quit smoking, have more confidence or to turn off chronic pain. Knowing of his end destination, I offer to guide him and give him suggestions on where to go. Ultimately, I can tell Bob to turn left but it is up to him to choose to accept that suggestion or not. I communicate directions to him and it is up to him to drive his car there. He is in control of his own mind.
Does the person lose control during a session?
When in a hypnosis session my client is always giving consent to what happens. While they are in fully alert they are informed of what will happen and have a choice to participate. Once in a hypnotic state/trance the client may not always be consciously focused on what is going on, similar to that drive home we talked about. It is important to note that the hypnotist cannot make that person do anything they wouldn’t normally do in a fully conscious state. So, with that in mind, the person does not lose control of themselves.
In a nut shell, what does it feel like to be hypnotized? You are in control and making your own choices. You just feel really calm and zoned out. Some people use the words relaxed and at ease. Please reach out of there is any destination in your life that you could use some help from a GPS for your mind! https://groundedhypnosis.com/contact/