Dispelling Hypnosis Myths

August 10, 2026

• Worried about experiencing hypnosis? 
• Concerned about losing control or being made to do embarrassing things?
• Is hypnosis sleep?

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is used to assist individuals and business people to overcome unwanted habits, in creating new thinking processes and behaviours, to enhance their performance and also aid in the body’s healing process. Hypnosis is a well respected discipline, its use dates back to before 1500 AD, and today it is being used by medical doctors, dentists, surgeons, therapists, other health practitioners and sports athletes.

Many people try to change unwanted habits and behaviours the hard way – using willpower. Instead, you can do it the easy way – and quickly make new habits and behaviours automatic with hypnosis.

Major Hypnosis Myths

A number of myths and fears around hypnosis have emerged over the years, many of them due to the perceptions of stage show hypnosis and Hollywood movies.  The most common myths are explained and dispelled below.

Myth 1:   Fear of being humiliated.

You may have seen or heard of hypnosis stage shows where the people on stage are clucking like chickens or doing other odd behaviour.  The people on stage freely volunteered to come up on stage, and also freely chose to accept the suggestions given to them on stage.  Because the people who volunteer to go up on stage have less inhibition than those who do not, they are likely to do things that others would not do anyway.

Importantly, it has been proven through research that if a suggestion is made to a client during hypnosis, (which is in conflict with the client’s values, morals and beliefs), the client will either ignore the suggestion or come out of hypnosis fully and instantly.  That means if someone was to suggest to you to cluck like a chicken and you would never act in that way (because it is in conflict with your values, morals and beliefs), you would simply ignore the suggestion or come out of hypnosis.  Therefore, you will never be humiliated during hypnosis.

Myth 2:   Fear of loss of control.

This myth is related to the first one.  It also relates to some people’s misconceptions that only the weak and the gullible can be hypnotised because they can be controlled.  Studies have shown that people with above average intelligence who can concentrate and have an imagination, make the best hypnotic subjects.

Often clients are out of control with their unwanted habits and behaviours e.g. over eating, smoking, etc.  Hypnosis helps them to gain control of their behaviours, and their life.  Again, if the client finds a suggestion inappropriate during hypnosis, the client will either refuse to participate or come out of hypnosis fully and instantly.  You are always in control.  During hypnosis you will hear positive suggestions to empower you, hence you will be more in control during hypnosis than in your everyday life.

Myth 3:   Being zonked out, in a deep sleep.

Is hypnosis sleep? Some people think that hypnosis requires them to go into a deep sleep where they have no recollection or remembrance of what happens during hypnosis.  This myth comes from old Hollywood movies and traditional hypnotherapy techniques from years gone by, where the hypnotherapist would ask the client to watch the watch, and then ask them to fall into a deep sleep.

Using new hypnosis techniques requires the client to only be in a light to medium state of relaxation, during which the client has heightened awareness and is awake, and hears what the hypnotherapist says. 

You Are In Control

During hypnosis, the client is always in control of the suggestions that they accept, and that they act upon. Would you like to have more control over your habits and behaviours?

Discover how to quickly make new habits and behaviours automatic:

• experience hypnosis for yourself at our upcoming live, interactive 45 minute exclusive masterclass, Hypnosis for Stress Relief.
• with your free resources or email Dr Vesna at vesna@qttransformation.com with any questions
• Experience hypnosis for yourself in your personalised session with Dr Vesna
• Learn how to help yourself and others with hypnosis at our next Hypnosis weekend training.

Dr. Vesna Grubacevic is the founder of multi award-winning company Qt, is a Performance Transformation Expert®, an internationally Certified NLP, Hypnotherapy and Qt respect i® Trainer, an Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of multi-award winning innovative behavioural change techniques, Qt respect i®. She is the author of best-selling book, Stop Sabotaging Your Confidence, speaker, innovator and media commentator.

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