Clearing up common misunderstandings about hypnosis
1. Hypnosis cannot force you to do anything you do not want to do.
One of the most common concerns is that control is lost during hypnosis. However, this is not true. During a hypnosis session, the person remains fully conscious and always has complete control over their actions and decisions . They can come out of the hypnotic state at any time if they wish. Hypnosis is not a form of manipulation, but a tool that requires active and voluntary consent .
For hypnosis to be effective, it is essential that the person be willing to collaborate with the hypnotherapist. This involves allowing the professional to introduce specific suggestions—specified at the beginning—into their subconscious mind, suggestions that must be aligned with their personal desires and goals. If this willingness is lacking, hypnosis will not work, as no idea or behavior can be imposed against the person's will .
2. Hypnosis is not magic or a dangerous practice.
Some people think hypnosis is mysterious or even dangerous. But in reality, it's a scientifically backed therapeutic technique that has been used for decades in psychology, medicine, and mental health. It's based on the brain's natural ability to enter states of deep relaxation and concentration, which facilitates positive changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
3. Hypnosis does not make you lose consciousness or identity.
Another common myth is that hypnosis induces a state of unconsciousness or loss of identity. In reality, the person remains fully conscious throughout the session. They can hear, understand, and remember everything that happens. What changes is the level of attention: they become more receptive, attentive, and open to ideas or suggestions that are not normally as readily available in the waking state.
In Ancient Egypt , around 3000 BC, a primitive form of hypnotherapy was already practiced. The so-called "sleep temples" were sacred spaces where priests, also considered healers, induced trance states through chants, prayers, and rituals. In this state, patients—lying in dark and silent chambers—received dream messages that were interpreted as instructions for healing body and spirit.
In Greece , this tradition was continued and refined by the priests of the temple of Asclepius, the god of medicine. There, they practiced "dream incubation," a method in which the patient slept in the temple awaiting a healing revelation through induced visions. This process bears clear similarities to modern techniques of regressive or suggestive hypnosis.
In India and China , altered states of consciousness were induced through deep meditation, breath control, and the use of mantras. These states were used not only for healing but also for spiritual development, pain management, and accessing intuitive knowledge.
During a hypnosis session, the person does not lose consciousness or total control . Although they enter a state of deep relaxation and concentration, they remain fully aware of their surroundings and their own actions and decisions. What does change is the level of attention and the way they process information: they become more receptive, attentive, and open to suggestions or ideas that would not normally be so readily available in a waking state.
In most cases, people clearly remember everything they experienced during the hypnosis session . In fact, this technique is frequently used in therapeutic contexts to help access memories or information already stored in the mind, but which can be difficult to retrieve under normal circumstances. This is because, in a hypnotic state, the brain operates differently, allowing more direct access to certain levels of consciousness.
Hypnosis is a scientifically supported therapeutic tool used in various fields such as psychology, medicine, and education. It is based on inducing a state of deep concentration and relaxation, which facilitates positive changes in how one thinks, feels, or acts. It is important to emphasize that it is always applied with the consent and willingness of the individual , always respecting their boundaries, autonomy, and well-being. Its use is always geared toward beneficial goals, such as stress management, improved sleep, pain reduction, overcoming fears, or acquiring healthy habits.