Hypnosis: Myth vs Fact
What do The Manchurian Candidate, Bugs Bunny, and The Jungle Book all have in common? Other than being popular movies/TV shows, not a lot at first glance. The Manchurian Candidate is political thriller, Bugs Bunny is a 1940s cartoon, and The Jungle Book is a Disney movie based on a Rudyard Kipling novel. However, those three, plus many others, all depict hypnosis in their storylines. They also all happen to represent it inaccurately.
-In The Manchurian Candidate hypnosis is used by communists to brainwash an American soldier to turn him into a traitorous assassin, implying that hypnosis can allow someone’s character and freewill to be changed or taken from them.
-In The Hare-Brained Hypnotist (Bugs Bunny, 1942) Elmer Fudd reads that any ‘dumb animal’ can be hypnotized and hypnotizes a bear by staring him down with what we’re expected to assume is some kind of magical stare and using suggestive speech (you are getting sweepy). Once the bear is hypnotized, Elmer tells him to be a canary and the bear can fly. Then Bugs hypnotizes Elmer Fudd in the same manner to get revenge for being harassed and makes Elmer act like a rabbit. The implication here is that hypnosis can change someone’s personality and take away your bodily autonomy.
-In The Jungle Book, Kaa hypnotizes Mowgli with her magic, swirly eyes to take away Mowgli’s physical and cognitive autonomy so he’ll let Kaa capture him.
Humans have long been fascinated by the concept of hypnosis, which is probably why it shows up in entertainment and pop culture so often. The downside to that is that we’ve learned a lot of incorrect things about what hypnosis is and how it works from the entertainment industry, so let’s debunk some myths.
MYTH: Hypnosis is just sleep
Fact: When you’re hypnotized you’re fully aware of your surroundings and in control of your body. You’re much more conscious than when you’re asleep.
MYTH: You can get “stuck” in hypnosis
Fact: Hypnosis is a natural state and everyone has experienced it to some degree. Worst case scenario you fall asleep and wake up after a well-deserved nap.
MYTH: People can hypnotize you against your will
Fact: If you don’t want to be hypnotized, you can’t be hypnotized!
MYTH: When you’re hypnotized the hypnotist can control you
Fact: Even when you’re in a hypnotic state you are still in control of what you do and say. You can even lie! You definitely can’t lose your free will or be controlled like a marionette.
MYTH: You’ve never experienced hypnosis if you haven’t been to a hypnotist
Fact: If you’ve gotten really absorbed by a book or a movie, or if you’ve ‘zoned out’ while driving, or if you’ve meditated then you’ve been hypnotized. And yes, you can hypnotize yourself! Learn more about that here.
MYTH: Only weak-minded people can be hypnotized
Fact: Anyone who is open to it can be hypnotized and being hypnotized does not make you weak. It can actually require a lot of discipline to focus, so more often the opposite of this myth is true.
MYTH: Hypnotists are magicians or have special powers
Fact: Hypnotists have studied psychology and been trained to help clients achieve hypnosis. They have an understanding of the conscious mind vs the subconscious mind and how to help clients navigate the two. It’s not magic, it’s just science!
Hypnosis is a versatile tool that allows us to access our own subconscious so we can resolve a wide variety of issues including anxiety and depression, PTSD, digestive problems, healthy habits, and inadequate sleep. If you’ve ever been intrigued by hypnosis in movies or TV shows and learned something from today’s blog, visit our website to learn more about what hypnosis actually is and how it works. If you think hypnosis might be a good tool to add to your wellness journey, schedule a consultation with us! We’d love the chance to help you live your happiest and healthiest life.