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 What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?

Before we try to answer this question, we need to clarify something. There is no standard hypnotic experience. It feels differently for each person despite the fact that some may share some of the feelings such as heavy limbs or tingly fingers. If you don't experience all (or even any!) of the states that are listed here, don't concern yourself. You may very well experience a full hypnotic trance without and of these feelings. There is no right or wrong way to experience hypnosis. It is certainly likely that when you enter a deeper trance, you will most likely experience most of these phenomena, don't focus too much on this. Just keep practising and the results will start coming soon enough.

Now, let's try to answer the question that was posed as best we can. Can you remember a time when you were so fully absorbed in a movie or book that someone had to try repeatedly to get your attention? Time seemed to stand still while you were fully involved and focused on what you were doing. Perhaps it took you a couple of seconds to reorient yourself and to "return to the here and now". This state is very similar to the one you will experience most of the time during hypnosis and its effects are remarkable.

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Many people experience hypnosis as a calm, relaxed and drifting state of mind during which their entire body is extremely loose and comfortable. Others report being simultaneously calm and energised after a successful session and often pursue hypnosis for this reason alone. During hypnosis, your concentration may be more focused while your muscles feel very relaxed and loose. Some people feel as if they are floating, others report that their limbs and body feel extremely heavy as if they are sinking into the bed or chair. Others feel a warm tingly feeling in their extremities.

Have you ever lain on the grass under a tree on a hot summers day, drifting off into a reverie, perhaps hearing the neighbour's lawn mower in the next yard or a plane droning high overhead. The breeze ruffles your hair while the sun warms your entire body and you are utterly and completely relaxed. It almost feels as if you are unable to move, or rather, you could if you wanted to but you have no desire to disrupt this feeling of utter relaxation. This is what hypnosis feels like to me, for you it may be slightly or very different.

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