What happens when you are hypnotized?

Answer 1

Experiences are subjective and variable: some people do not "feel" hypnotized even though they clearly are. Generally, you are in a very relaxed but "hyperattentive", very focused, state during which peripheral awareness is much reduced, or even eliminated. Although it is likely you'll remain aware of background sounds etc, they will seem distant and irrelevant, and your attention will be "fixed" on whatever the hypnotist suggests or directs. Sometimes it may seem his/ her voice is "inside" your head, or it seem very "distant", like a "thread" on which you're suspended.

Physically, you'll probably be very still and not feel much desire to move; limbs may feel very heavy, or you may experience a general "lightness" as if floating in the air. Your eyes may water quite a lot (due to relaxation of tear ducts), and you will probably salivate and swallow more than you normally do. Eyes are likely to move rapidly - from side to side; up and down, or just generalized - and eyelids will flicker. If very deeply hypnotized it's quite likely your eyes will roll right up into your head, and remain there easily. Although generally heart rate decreases, in some cases it may speed up, and it is also not uncommon to experience increased bodily warmth, and sometimes reddening of the face/ flushing.

Very deeply hypnotized people may be embarrassed by spontaneous penile or clitoral erection, but as this normally only occurs in those in a "somnambulistic" hypnotic state, in which active self-awareness is much reduced and trance amnesia common, it generally isn't as big a problem as might be imagined.

For most people being hypnotized is a profoundly pleasant experience during which they're totally self-aware: it is often described as like a "waking dream" or just "zoning out", and as already indicated, many don't even think anything has happened other than just sitting or lying very still and listening to another person talk to them. In truth, that is really all it is - a very focused and intense form of interpersonal communication. Even the minority (maybe 10%) who go so "deep" they experience amnesia etc only do so because they're predisposed, able and willing so to do, and have, therefore, in a sense, given consent. Bottom line is you can not be hypnotized unless you want to be; your basic mind set, attitudes, and capabilities will determine the level of trance attained, and - crucially - you will only do what is within your own bounds of acceptibility.

Answer 2

It gets hypnotized.