What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?

What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?

When you think of hypnosis, you might picture someone swinging a pocket watch, a person with a far-away look in their eyes, or even someone clucking like a chicken.

But what does hypnosis actually feel like?

The truth is, there’s no singular, universal experience that everyone shares. Hypnosis is a deeply personal process, and what you feel can vary from one session to the next, even within the same person. That said, there are some common sensations and experiences that people often report.

The Variety of Hypnotic Sensations

Relaxation: Many people enter hypnosis expecting to feel relaxed, and it’s a common experience. While relaxation isn’t necessary to be hypnotized, it often happens naturally. You might feel a profound sense of calmness and peace, as if all the stress in your body is melting away. Some describe this as a deep, soothing relaxation that they’ve never quite felt before.

Heaviness & Lightness: During hypnosis, you might notice a heaviness in your limbs, as if they’re anchored down and too heavy to move. Others report the opposite—a sensation of floating or being weightless, almost like they’re buoyant in water.

Warmth & Coolness: As you sink deeper into hypnosis, you may feel a comforting warmth spreading through your body, almost like being wrapped in a cozy blanket. On the other hand, some people experience a refreshing coolness, particularly in their hands or feet, as if a gentle breeze is passing over them.

Tingling & Numbness: A gentle tingling in the fingers or toes is another common experience. It’s a bit like the feeling you get when your foot falls asleep, but much more subtle and pleasant. For others, certain parts of the body might feel numb or lack physical sensation altogether, which can be surprising but is entirely normal.

Detached Awareness & Mind Wandering: In hypnosis, your mind might start to feel detached from your body. You could find yourself observing your thoughts or surroundings without much emotional involvement, almost like you’re watching a movie. Alternatively, your thoughts might drift freely, wandering from one idea to the next without any particular direction.

Timelessness: Time often feels different in hypnosis. You might lose track of time, feeling as though minutes or hours have passed unnoticed. It’s not uncommon to be surprised when the session ends, as it can feel like no time has passed at all.

Physical Sensations & Changes

Catalepsy: This is when the muscles go into a neutral state where there’s no movement. You might feel like you can’t move your body, as if it’s frozen in place. However, in reality, you could move anytime you want; it’s just that your mind is so focused on the hypnotic experience that you don’t.

Fluttering Eyelids: Some people experience a fluttering of their eyelids, similar to what happens during REM sleep. This can be a sign that your brain is shifting into a state of greater theta waves, which is associated with deep relaxation and creativity.

Increased Lacrimation: Your eyes might become more watery than usual, and you could even feel a tear spill over and run down your face. This is just your body’s natural response and nothing to be concerned about.

Changes in Circulation: Hypnosis can also cause changes in blood flow. Some people find that their hands and feet get cold as blood is drawn toward the core of the body. Others experience the opposite, feeling hot as blood flows to the surface of the skin.

Emotional and Mental Experiences

Euphoria & Peacefulness: Hypnosis can bring about a mild to intense feeling of happiness or contentment. Many people describe a deep, inner sense of tranquility and calm that stays with them even after the session ends.

Focused Attention & Mental Clarity: You might find yourself intensely focused on a single thought or image, with everything else fading into the background. This can lead to a heightened sense of mental clarity and even a surge of positive energy.

Memory Recall & Self-Reflection: Some people are able to access memories with remarkable clarity during hypnosis, while others engage in deep introspection, reflecting on their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences.

Spiritual Awareness & Emotional Release: For some, hypnosis can heighten spiritual awareness, leading to a stronger sense of connection to a higher power or the universe. It can also trigger emotional release, allowing you to let go of pent-up emotions, sometimes accompanied by tears or laughter.

Unusual or Unexpected Sensations

Visual Distortions & Sensory Overlap: You might experience visual distortions, such as colors appearing brighter or things looking blurry. Some people even report sensory overlap, like hearing colors or seeing sounds.

Sinking & Expansion: There’s often a sensation of sinking into the chair or bed, as if you’re merging with it. Conversely, some people feel like their body is expanding or growing larger, almost as if they’re taking up more space.

Echoing Thoughts & Heightened Intuition: Thoughts or words might seem to echo or repeat in your mind. You might also experience heightened intuition, with stronger gut feelings or a deeper sense of knowing.

Body Awareness & Rhythmic Motion: You could become acutely aware of specific body parts or internal sensations, or you might feel a sensation of swaying or gently rocking, even though you’re completely still.

Heightened Awareness During Hypnosis

One common misconception about hypnosis is that you’re completely disconnected from your surroundings. In reality, many people find that they are actually more aware of their environment and their own thoughts during hypnosis. Here’s what you might notice:

Increased Sensory Awareness: While you’re deeply relaxed, your senses might become more acute. You could hear the faintest sounds in the background or notice subtle changes in your environment that you might not typically pick up on. This heightened sensory awareness allows you to stay in tune with your surroundings while still focusing on the hypnotic process.

Greater Alertness: Contrary to the idea of being in a trance-like state where you're unresponsive, many people report feeling more alert and present during hypnosis. Your mind can become sharper, with a heightened ability to concentrate on specific thoughts or feelings. This increased alertness can help you engage more deeply with the hypnotic suggestions and achieve the desired outcomes.

Enhanced Self-Awareness: Hypnosis often brings a greater sense of self-awareness. You might find yourself more attuned to your own thoughts and feelings, which can make it easier to explore your inner world. This heightened self-awareness can also aid in understanding and processing emotions or memories that come up during the session.

Balanced Focus: While your focus might be narrowed on specific aspects of the hypnosis, you’re still aware of everything happening around you. This balanced focus allows you to absorb and process information effectively, creating a productive and insightful hypnotic experience.

Returning to Normal Awareness

As the hypnosis session comes to an end, you’ll gradually or suddenly return to normal consciousness. Many people describe this as a feeling of renewal, as if they’ve just woken up from a restful nap. You might feel a strong connection to the ground, a sense of being rooted and stable, or simply a quietness within your mind, free from distracting thoughts.

Your Unique Experience

It’s important to remember that hypnosis is a deeply personal experience, and the sensations you feel may differ based on your unique response to the process. Some people feel many of these sensations, while others might only notice a few. There’s no right or wrong way to experience hypnosis—whatever you feel is exactly what’s right for you at that moment.

When you approach hypnosis with a positive expectation, you’ll almost always find that expectation met, leading to a lovely and beneficial experience. So, whether you feel a sense of deep relaxation, heightened emotions, or something else entirely, your hypnotic journey is yours to explore and enjoy.

Now that you know what hypnosis feels like If you are interested in learning more or speaking with a trained professional to see if this is a good choice for you, visit Wellness Canada to schedule a free consultation.