Things to Use to Hypnotize Someone

Hypnosis is a focused, trance-like state of mind. Contrary to popular belief, a subject under hypnosis is not asleep but in a heightened state of awareness. Also, a subject can not be placed under hypnosis against his will. There are different styles of hypnosis, and therapists use varying tools to induce the hypnotic state. Patients can even learn to hypnotize themselves; meditation is one form of self-hypnosis. One constant is that the subject needs to be relaxed in order to enter a hypnotic state, and there are several tools that can help in achieving that goal.

Hypnotic Sounds

• Focusing on a rhythmic sound, like a metronome or ticking clock, can quiet the mind and help the subject enter a relaxed state. There is also meditative music which incorporates tones and chimes to help the listener quiet her conscious mind by focusing on the music. Chanting can also help the subject relax and yoga meditation uses chants, or mantras, to reach a higher mental state.

Hypnotic Visuals

• Focusing on a repetitive visual, like a swinging pendulum, has the same effect as repetitive sounds. By narrowing the focus, the subject quiets his mind and enters a relaxed state. Arrhythmic visuals, like fish tanks and kaleidoscope images are also relaxing and help to induce a hypnotic state. Even something as simple as a flashing digital clock can induce a hypnotic state.

Guided Meditation

• Activating the subject's imagination, guided meditation uses spoken imagery to lead the subject into a relaxed state. The subject can guide herself or do so with the aid of a therapist. The guide provides minimal details and lets the subject fill in the blanks. For example, the guide may say "You are walking through the woods..." and the subject mentally fills in the details. In other instances, the guide may have the subject focus on his breathing and have each breath lead to another level of relaxation.

Rhythmic Movements and Touch

• Gentle rocking and swinging will both lull a subject into a relaxed state. As with all other hypnotic tools, the intent is to provide a single point of focus so that the subject can tune out distractions. Gentle touch, such as rubbing the hands or across the shoulders, also provides a tactile point of focus and quiets the mind.