Top 5 Myths About Hypnosis (And the Truth Behind Them)

Franz Anton Mesmer's work with magnets from the 1700's was later attributed to the placebo effect

1. “I’ll Be Asleep or Unconscious.”

Nope! You’re actually in a heightened state of awareness. Think of it like daydreaming with purpose—you’re relaxed, but very present. Most clients remember everything we talk about.

2. “I’ll Lose Control.”

Absolutely not. Your awareness is actually heightened. In fact, hypnosis gives you more control—over habits, emotions, and choices that may have felt out of reach. I can't make you do or say anything you wouldn't do or say normally. You go in and out of hypnosis throughout the day, when you are reading a book or watching a movie or daydreaming. Do you feel out of control at those times? No, you feel more in control.

3. “I might get stuck in hypnosis.”

No, you can’t get stuck. Even in the deepest levels of relaxation, you could easily return to full waking awareness on your own if needed. Most people emerge from hypnosis feeling refreshed and clear, as if they've taken a wonderful nap!

4. “I can't be hypnotized.”

Do you get completely involved watching a movie? Reading a book? Listening to music? Have you ever driven a car without remembering that you passed certain landmarks? Then you can be hypnotized. An outside force isn't causing you to do this. It’s just you, using your mind in a different way, allowing yourself to get into a different state of awareness. It's easy to see why all hypnosis is considered self-hypnosis.

5. “It’s a Bit Woo-Woo, Isn’t It?”

Okay, sure—it can feel super relaxing. And for some people, that’s part of the magic. But it’s also practical, grounded, and neuroscience-backed. Hypnotherapy lives beautifully at the intersection of science and story simply because it brings you home to yourself, and in our busy and often distracted world, this can be a new and empowering feeling for us. I know it was for me when I first tried it!

Still curious? Let’s talk! The best way to understand hypnosis is to experience it for yourself.

Book a free consult here. You don’t have to believe in magic for it to work. You just have to be open to the possibility.

with warmth and wonder,

Kim Nogueira, CHt, CCHt, CIHt, CTHt