Founder of Holistic Transformation Center and host of the Mind Untangling Podcast, Joana Esteves is an International Rapid Transformational Therapy practitioner, and Health Coach who helps high achievers reach the next level through the power of hypnosis.
Thanks to Hollywood and stage hypnosis, many people have a skewed perception of what hypnosis truly is. Today, let's clear up some common misconceptions and reveal the truth about this fascinating practice.
1. Hypnosis is just a performance
Stage hypnosis often grabs headlines with dramatic acts, such as participants clucking like chickens or swooning over brooms, but this is only a small part of the picture.
Yes, these people are likely hypnotized, but they’re chosen based on their suggestibility. They volunteer willingly, excited to be part of the spectacle. However, this theatrical use of hypnosis is purely for entertainment, with no therapeutic goal in mind.
In reality, hypnosis is far more commonly used for improving mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It has been successfully employed for centuries to help individuals overcome anxiety, phobias, addictions, and trauma and even to boost performance and manage pain.
Myth busted: Hypnosis is not just a show; it’s a valuable tool for personal growth and self-awareness.
2. Hypnosis is mind control
One of the most widespread myths about hypnosis is the idea that it’s a form of mind control where the hypnotist can manipulate you into doing anything. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
No one can be hypnotized against their will, and you certainly can’t be forced to act against your own values. During hypnosis, you remain fully aware and in control. If a suggestion doesn’t align with your desires, your mind will automatically reject it.
Myth busted: Hypnosis doesn’t control your mind. Instead, it enhances your ability to focus and make positive changes.
3. You’ll be asleep during hypnosis
Contrary to popular belief, you won’t be asleep when you’re hypnotized. You will be in a deeply relaxed state, where you are highly focused but fully conscious.
Practitioners may use terms like "sleep" to help you enter a state of deep relaxation, where your brain operates at an alpha or theta frequency, enhancing problem-solving and creativity. In this state, your awareness narrows, allowing you to focus intensely on specific ideas or solutions.
Myth busted: Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness and focus, not sleep.
5. Hypnosis is unnatural or "magic"
Hypnosis might seem mysterious, but it’s actually a natural state that we experience regularly. Have you ever zoned out while driving a familiar route or become so engrossed in a book that you lost track of time? That’s a form of hypnosis!
We naturally enter this state of hyperfocus and relaxation multiple times throughout the day, whether while waking up, before falling asleep or engaging in creative tasks.
Myth busted: Hypnosis is a natural state, just like being awake or asleep.
5. You can get stuck in hypnosis
This myth is entirely fictional. No one has ever gotten “stuck” in hypnosis. If a session were interrupted, you would either snap out of it immediately or fall asleep and wake up naturally, just like from a regular nap.
Even in online hypnosis sessions, a sudden disconnection won’t trap you in hypnosis. You can simply open your eyes and resume as soon as you're ready.
Myth busted: You can’t get stuck in hypnosis. Your mind will always return to full awareness.
6. Only weak-minded people can be hypnotized
The idea that only weak-minded people can be hypnotized is false. In fact, anyone with a willingness to engage in the process can be hypnotized.
According to the Institute for Clinical Hypnosis, the key to being a good subject is cooperation, not mental strength or weakness. Hypnosis enhances cognitive flexibility, helping you unlock creative solutions and achieve personal goals.
Myth busted: Hypnosis can work for anyone who is open to the experience, regardless of mental strength.
7. Hypnosis is dangerous
Many people worry that hypnosis is risky or harmful, but it’s actually one of the safest therapeutic techniques available. It’s non-invasive, and the worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t work—which is rare.
Hypnosis has been used effectively for treating conditions like PTSD, anxiety, phobias, addictions, and even physical ailments. Its safety and effectiveness have been well documented, making it a powerful tool for transformation.
Myth busted: Hypnosis is a safe, proven method for improving mental and physical health.
Conclusion: Hypnosis as a pathway to growth
Hypnosis is much more than the exaggerated depictions we see in the media. It’s a natural, safe, and empowering tool that enhances self-awareness and helps people overcome obstacles in their lives. By busting these myths, we can better understand how hypnosis offers a powerful avenue for personal transformation and mental well-being.
Ready to unlock your potential? Hypnosis might be the key. Email Holistic Transformation Center here or book a free consultation call to discuss how hypnosis can help you achieve your goals.
Read more from Joana Esteves
Joana Esteves, RTT Practitioner, Clinical Medical Assistant, Hypnosis
Joana Esteves helps people from all walks of life with issues like stress, anxiety, weight loss, insomnia, addiction, wealth, relationships, confidence, self-esteem, phobias, sports performance, procrastination, and any undesirable patterns that may be keeping them from living at their highest potential. Using the phenomenal RTT method, Joana taps into individuals' subconscious mind to get to the root cause of the issue, removing old beliefs and reprograming the mind to achieve the desired goals.
Other useful links and resources about hypnosis:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cognitive-flexibility#:~:text=Cognitive%20flex ibility%20refers%20to%20the%20ability%20to%20shift%20attention%20between,of%20develop ment%2C%20including%20early%20childhood.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8773773/#:~:text=Hypnosis%20is%20de fined%20as%20%E2%80%9Ca,)%20Division%2030%20%5B1%5D
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11048517/ https://hypnosiscredentials.com/what-is-hypnosis/
https://www.psypost.org/new-study-provides-insight-into-cognitive-mechanisms-linked-t o-hypnosis/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-84954-8 https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(20)30946-3/fulltext https://www.reveri.com/safety-of-hypnosis
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