Hypnosis is at work when a person is processing information subconsciously instead of consciously. The conscious mind is very judgmental and the unconscious is more accepting and able to believe suggestions. When a person is processing subconsciously they will believe almost anything inside their moral code of ethics. We won’t do anything we wouldn’t want to do while in a state of hypnosis.

Sure, you are hypnotized regularly and don’t realize it. When you drive a car you can “zone out” and be consciously unaware. This is because driving is a very routine exercise and can be taken over by the subconscious. This phenomenon is referred to as highway hypnosis. Researchers say we go into some state of hypnosis about every 7 minutes. Hypnosis is also at work when you read a book or watch a movie. You become very involved on a deep level and can become completely unaware of your surroundings. Daydreaming is also a great example of hypnosis at work.

This depends on the style of hypnosis being used. If it’s therapeutic hypnosis, the suggestions last permanently. For example a person going through a hypnosis session to lose a phobia of spiders will lose that phobia permanently through this style of hypnosis. If it’s stage hypnosis, the effects are temporary because the suggestion are very bizarre and the subconscious mind won’t hold onto crazy ideas very long.

Not at all. It’s an art form. Hypnosis can be learned by anyone. Just like a guitar player has to practice his instrument to become an expert. Hypnosis must be practiced to master. It’s not always simple but like anything once you get the hang of it it becomes second nature.