By Maddie Peloff ’16

When people think of hypnotism, they tend to think of a soothing voice repeating the phrase, “you are getting very, very sleepy” over and over. Maybe they imagine a pendulum swinging or the typical black and white image of a circle spinning. Pop culture tends to show hypnotism in this magical, unreal fashion. However, few realize the scientific aspects of hypnotism.

Hypnotism is a state of consciousness in which an individual is less aware of surroundings and more susceptible to suggestion. While some hypnotists perform at large arenas in Las Vegas or at parties, hypnotism is more than just entertainment. In fact, hypnotism is a widely accepted psychological technique and studied in many psychology courses, including AP Psychology.

Hypnosis begins when an individual is put in a hypnotic trance. Usually, a hypnotist induces an individual into a trance by asking him to focus his eyes on a specific image or by leading him into a relaxed state of mind in which he is more open to suggestion. Then, the hypnotist is able to guide him in certain behaviors. In a live show, hypnotists might ask individuals to respond to certain triggers, like every time the individual hears a bell ring, he must clap his hands. They might ask individuals to forget their own names or believe they have developed super powers.

Along with these entertaining applications, hypnotism can be used for many practical purposes. Some therapists use the power of suggestion under hypnotic state to aid individuals with addiction or mental disorders. While in a hypnotic trance, individuals are more susceptible to suggestion, making them more likely to alter their behavior and future actions. If a therapist suggests an individual cease smoking or eat healthier, they are more likely to do so. Hypnotism can also be used to make individuals feel less pain, gain self-confidence or overcome certain fears.

Despite these practical applications, many have misconceptions about hypnosis. “Some people feel it’s a ‘mind control’ process, which is not true at all,” said professional hypnotist Patti Sapp. “A hypnotist guides a person to control their own mind, after having a complete consultation with clear goals that have been set and discussed.” Sapp owns a small business in Ellicott City called Quiet Time Hypnosis where she works with individuals, helping them overcome addictions, lose weight or solve other mental health issues.

While many might believe that they cannot be hypnotized, chances are, they can. According to the Stanford scales, which determine an individual’s level of response to hypnotism from zero to 12, only about five percent of the population responds with a level of zero or no response. If you have ever driven down the road and become so absent-minded that you miss your turn, you have experienced a slight level of hypnosis. Even crying during a movie or television show is due to a slight hypnotic state. The actions on the screen aren’t real, but you’ve convinced yourself they are and have become emotionally invested. While these actions aren’t quite the same as the hypnotism in flashy Las Vegas shows, they demonstrate that even the most strong-willed individuals can usually be hypnotized.