What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?

If you have never experienced hypnosis before, you may wonder what it actually feels like.

Will you be asleep? Will you lose control? Will you remember what happened?

The reality is often much more natural than people expect.

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and deep relaxation. You remain aware of what is happening and can hear and respond to your therapist throughout the session.

You may notice:

• Your body becoming deeply relaxed and comfortable

• Your breathing slowing and becoming more natural

• Your mind becoming quieter and more focused

• A feeling of heaviness, lightness, warmth or tingling

• Your imagination or inner experiences becoming more vivid

• A different sense of time, where the session may seem to pass very quickly

Some people describe hypnosis as similar to the feeling of becoming completely absorbed in a book, film or daydream — when the outside world fades into the background and your attention naturally turns inward. And sometimes, hypnosis simply feels like deep relaxation.

You may also notice that thoughts continue to come and go.

You don't need to empty your mind or “do” hypnosis perfectly. There is no single way it should feel.

Most importantly, you remain in control. Hypnosis is not sleep, unconsciousness or mind control. Your therapist guides you, but you remain an active participant in the process.

There is no right or wrong experience. Your response will be unique to you, and you can simply allow the experience to unfold naturally.