Many myths surround hypnosis, and most are perpetuated by Stage Hypnotists so that they can make a living. However, Stage Hypnosis is part of the entertainment industry and has nothing to do with Clinical Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy. It is no coincidence that these myths are believed only by people who think they have never experienced hypnosis. Actually, everybody has, and most people do so several times every day – they just don’t call it "Hypnosis".

Most people have seen Stage Hypnosis, either live or on television, with members of the audience jumping around, clucking like chickens and other entertaining silliness. This is a bit of fun and, crucially, everyone taking part has volunteered to do so – it is impossible to hypnotise someone against their will. Similarly, if a Stage Hypnotist suggests that the volunteers do something which offends their morals or ethics, they will refuse. It is impossible to make someone do something under hypnosis that they would not otherwise do or would be happy to do.

However, in the same way that Magicians and Illusionists would never reveal their secrets, Stage Hypnotists rely on perpetuating the myths about hypnosis to suggest that they have some kind of mystical power – which they don’t.

Good coverage of hypnosis myths can be found at:

www.hypnotherapyservices.com/2010/05/myths-facts-about-hypnosis.

. . . or search the web for Hypnosis Myths.