How to Hypnotise Someone

Hypnosis is not what many people think it is. A hypnotic trance is not
a brain-dead, obey-all zombification during which you are complete-
ly unaware of your surroundings. Hypnosis does not usually induce
a deep catatonic state, although with enough patience and the right
subject, it can create an analogue of catatonia.
When someone is on a stage pretending to eat their own shoe or be
chased by a wildergoat, they are aware they are on a stage. Likewise
if they are in a hypnotherapist’s office being asked to picture them-
selves as a child, they know they are only picturing it. They will not
confuse it with reality, thinking they are actually a child. They may
feel like the child, and act like the child, but they will know they have been hypnotized and are sitting
on a hypnotherapist’s couch.

Hypnosis is best thought of as a special state of mind which is very relaxed, mindful, and above all,
suggestible. When you are in a state of hypnosis or hypnotic trance, you have a strong sense of ability
to control your own brain, which is why it marries up with NLP so closely.

The Rules of Hypnosis

These rules are adapted from Derren Brown’s excellent guidelines to hypnosis. As one of the great-
est hypnosis experts alive today, Derren is a great role model to follow and I feel it necessary to point
these rules out:

1. Do not try to hypnotize anyone who is clearly disturbed or has epilepsy. Same goes with a history of
   mental illness. Just don’t.


2. Do not attempt to make subconscious “changes” or suggestions. If you don’t know what you’re do-
   ing, look but don’t touch.


3. Leave out theatrics. Don’t try to become invisible or get your inductee to eat an onion and think it’s
   an apple. Don’t play tricks on your inductee, unless you’re experienced in which case you don’t need
   this guide.


4. Everything you do contributes to the hypnosis. Your inductee will be hypersensitive to his surround-
   ings. If you or others appear flustered in the face of an unexpected response, then your inductee
   might begin panicking. Avoid this.