5 Misconceptions About Hypnosis That Everyone's Believed

(Except Those in the Field)

When people talk about hypnosis, most recall stage shows, magic tricks, or mysterious stories passed down through generations. And like any field that touches the human mind, hypnosis is shrouded in a fog that's part truth, part rumor, part science, part mysticism, part familiar, part distant.

I'm not writing this to "defend" hypnosis, but to restore its true form: a method that's ordinary yet profound, simple yet powerful, standing at the boundary between science and spirituality.

Below are 5 common misconceptions that almost everyone has believed at some point. And who knows, you might recognize yourself in them.

1) "Hypnosis is…deep sleep."

A very common misconception, perhaps because the word "hypnosis" itself comes from the Greek hypnos, meaning "sleep". But in reality, during hypnotherapy, you're not asleep, nor are you unconscious. You simply enter a state of deep focus, where the mind quiets its noise, the body releases tension, and you listen to yourself more clearly.

Scientific perspective: Brainwave studies (EEG) show that during hypnosis, the brain isn't in delta frequency (deep sleep), but rather in the alpha-theta range, the frequency of relaxed alertness, similar to meditation, the drowsy state before sleep, or being immersed in art. Neuroscientists call this state "focused attention" - selective concentration.

Spiritual perspective: Many Eastern meditation traditions, from Vipassana to Yoga Nidra, describe this state of "wakefulness within sleep" as a gateway to prajna (wisdom), where the mind isn't swept away by thoughts but also doesn't sink into unconsciousness.

If we had to compare, hypnosis is like when you're so absorbed in a good book that you lose track of time, not a deep slumber.

2) "Someone can control me when I'm hypnotized."

No. No one can control you. During therapy, the brain regions responsible for autonomy and judgment remain active. You hear, understand, and think, and if you don't like something, you can open your eyes and stop immediately.

Scientific perspective: A study from Stanford (David Spiegel and colleagues, 2016) published in Cerebral Cortex, using fMRI technology, revealed that during hypnosis, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (decision-making center) remains active. What changes is that the connection between this region and the judgment/anxiety area (dorsal anterior cingulate) decreases, making you more receptive to constructive suggestions while still retaining the right to refuse.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), there are no documented cases of someone being hypnotized and doing something against their core ethical values.

Spiritual perspective: In energy healing traditions, it's believed that no one can "invade" your consciousness without your consent. The principle of free will is inviolable, even when you're in your most open state. This is also reflected in the concept of "consent" across sacred cultures throughout history.

Hypnosis doesn't take away control. On the contrary, it helps you reclaim the agency that anxiety and fear have hijacked for too long.

3) "Done wrong, it can harm your psyche."

This is a reasonable concern because anything involving the mind requires careful practice. The truth is: clinical hypnotherapy, when done properly, is safe, non-invasive, and can be stopped at any time. But just like psychotherapy, somatic therapy, or any method working with the nervous system, hypnosis requires:

• A qualified practitioner

• Proper assessment of suitable candidates

• Clear consent from the client

Scientific perspective: According to a systematic review of meta-analyses published by Häuser and colleagues (2016), hypnosis is evaluated as safe and effective in medicine. A recent comprehensive study in Frontiers in Psychology (2023) shows that the rate of side effects from hypnotherapy is extremely low, and most are just mild dizziness after a session, similar to after deep meditation. There's no evidence that hypnosis causes brain damage or leaves "psychological aftereffects."

Spiritual perspective: In many ancient civilizations, from Egypt and Greece to indigenous tribes, the "trance" state was considered sacred and healing, never dangerous. Shamans, priests, and spiritual masters all used altered states of consciousness as tools to connect with deep sources of wisdom.

When practiced by trained professionals following safety protocols, this is a gentle method that allows the nervous system to rest after years of stress.

4) "Hypnosis can take you back to past lives / connect with spirits" - An intriguing misconception that requires intellectual humility

This is the part many people are curious about...and where wisdom requires humility.

From a scientific perspective: Experiences during hypnosis are always understood as:

• Symbolism - the brain uses imagery to process emotions

• Reconstructed memory - the brain can create "false memories" from previously received information (the phenomenon of confabulation)

• Therapeutic imagination - stories the brain creates to help you understand yourself

• Data from the unconscious seeking to speak - what's been buried is surfacing

Research from the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies (Ian Stevenson and Jim Tucker) on children with "past life" memories has documented over 2,500 cases, with approximately 1,567 cases where some information could be partially verified through actual research. However, science still has no definitive conclusion about the cause of this phenomenon, only encouragement for further open-minded research.

From a spiritual perspective: Many cultures believe that humans carry:

• Energetic memories (samskaras in Buddhism/Hinduism)

• Soul journeys through multiple lifetimes

• Fragments of experiences beyond physical limitations

And the truth is, neither side is "absolutely right" or "absolutely wrong." Science measures with instruments. Spirituality observes through experience, energy, and consciousness - awareness. There are things not yet proven by science, not because they're not real, but because current tools aren't sufficient to measure them.

The healthiest approach? In my view, it's to respect each person's belief system while staying grounded, safe, and not exaggerating. In therapeutic practice, what matters isn't "where the information comes from," but how it helps you understand yourself better.

5) "Only weak people can be hypnotized."

The truth is, those most easily hypnotized are typically people who are:

• Sensitive

• Intelligent

• Good at focusing

• Imaginatively gifted

This isn't a sign of weakness but a sign that your brain is flexible and capable of entering deep states of concentration.

Scientific perspective: Research on hypnotic suggestibility from Stanford shows that people with high susceptibility typically have:

• Above-average IQ

• Vivid imagination

• Extended attention span

• High emotional sensitivity (emotional intelligence)

These are all characteristics of a strong and flexible mind, not a weak one.

Spiritual perspective: In Eastern traditions, those who easily enter deep meditation often have a "soft mind" - not weak, but not rigid, not resistant to the flow of life. The Buddha once taught, "A rigid tree will break in the wind. A flexible tree will bend and survive." A skill that those with inner strength often possess.

A few things to know before starting

Hypnotherapy is a gentle and safe method, but just like any form of therapy involving the mind, it needs to be practiced by the right person, at the right time, and in the right way. Below are things I want to share, not to make you anxious, but so you can choose wisely.

1) Who is hypnosis most suitable for?

Hypnotherapy (especially the present-focused type, not regression) is often very helpful for:

• Anxiety, stress

• Sleep disorders

• Chronic pain

• Breaking habits (like smoking, emotional eating)

• Current issues like work stress, difficulty focusing, and emotional imbalance

Many current meta-analyses support the clinical value of hypnosis in these areas. If you're facing these issues and looking for a non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive method, hypnotherapy may be worth considering.

2) Who needs caution or should postpone?

There are some medical-psychiatric conditions where hypnosis needs to be practiced very carefully, or it's best to consult with a doctor first:

• Psychotic disorders (psychosis) - when experiencing delusions or hallucinations

• Manic episodes (mania) - when emotions are at abnormally high levels

• Severe dissociation

• Some neurological conditions like epilepsy (depending on the case)

In these cases, major healthcare organizations like the NHS recommend interdisciplinary collaboration (psychiatrist, family doctor) before starting hypnotherapy. This doesn't mean you're "not allowed" to try hypnosis, just that professional support is needed to ensure safety.

3) Regression - when should you, when shouldn't you?

Regression - meaning "going back to the past" to explore root memories, is a very powerful therapeutic tool. But it also needs to be chosen carefully.

When regression can be helpful:

• When you have repetitive emotional patterns (e.g., limiting beliefs, continuous fear responses) that current techniques don't "reach"

• When you have a certain level of emotional stability and capacity for self-regulation

• When the goal is to understand and reframe memory, not just "dig it up"

When to postpone or not do regression:

• When you're in acute trauma (recently experienced major painful events)

• When you have symptoms of psychosis, mania, or your nervous system is in "survival mode" (easily overwhelmed, dissociative, or have had recent thoughts of self-harm)

In complex cases (like complex PTSD), many clinical guidelines recommend a stabilization phase before beginning "deep processing." However, it's important to note that not everyone needs to follow the strict sequence of "phase 1 first, phase 2 later" - each person is their own journey. What's important is: individual assessment and interdisciplinary consultation.

4) Current issues vs. root issues - you're not required to "go deep"

If you're saying: "I'm stressed at work / can't sleep / have trouble focusing" that's completely valid reason to choose hypnotherapy. And you don't necessarily have to do regression. Present-focused hypnotherapy, like deep relaxation, breathing techniques and nervous system regulation, sleep-priming, or habit change, is completely appropriate for current issues, and there's plenty of scientific evidence supporting it. Regression isn't the "only door." Choosing gentle methods focused on symptoms first is often the safest, most effective, and most practical choice.

A bit of my professional experience

In my journey working with clients, from those experiencing anxiety, trauma, fear of losing control, to those seeking inner peace, I've realized one thing: Most fear about hypnosis doesn't come from hypnosis itself. It comes from lack of accurate information.

One client said to me: "I'm afraid that if I do hypnosis, I'll lose control of myself and end up in a situation I don't want." When I explained that: she has the right to stop at any time, she won't lose control, I won't do anything beyond the boundaries she permits, and that I work based on "consent" from start to finish...I saw her breathe a sigh of relief.

That moment always reminds me: the job of a practitioner isn't to "hypnotize," but to bring the client back to a state of safety, in their body, in their mind, in their belief about themselves. And if you're considering hypnotherapy, please:

• Choose a practitioner with clear qualifications

• Share honestly about your health condition

• Don't hesitate to ask: "Is this method suitable for me?"

And if you have any doubts, especially if you're being treated for psychiatric conditions, consult with your doctor first.

In closing

Hypnosis isn't magic. But it's also not something mundane to be equated with stage tricks. It stands between two worlds:

• Scientific enough to help regulate the nervous system

• Deep enough to touch the unconscious parts that everyday language struggles to reach

And when we look with open eyes, neither denying science nor dismissing spirituality, we see that hypnosis is a journey home: to safety, to consciousness, and to ourselves.

— Q

For the curious minds: This article draws from both peer-reviewed research and ancient wisdom traditions. If you'd like to dive deeper, here are some starting points:

→ Stanford's hypnosis research (David Spiegel)

→ American Psychological Association's guidelines on clinical hypnotherapy

→ University of Virginia's consciousness studies

→ Traditional texts on Yoga Nidra and mindfulness states

Remember: knowledge is a journey, not a destination.