People often fear that being hypnotized will make them lose control, surrender their will, and result in their being dominated, but a hypnotic state is not the same thing as gullibility or weakness. The main thing to remember is that hypnosis is a collaborative process. In order for it to work, it relies on you joining in with it, rather than allowing it to be done to you. While hypnotized you are not only fully aware, but also in full control. It is impossible to be made to do anything that you don’t want to do while in a hypnotic state, and you can come out of hypnosis at any time you like. Hypnosis is a fundamental and perfectly natural human experience, and a powerfully effective way for us to gain more control over our lives.

This is probably the most common misconception about hypnosis. You never lose your full sense of awareness or fall asleep in hypnosis. On the contrary, you are actually more fully awake. All levels of hypnosis are characterized by increased attention, and it’s this heightened concentration that increases your receptivity to suggestion. A large range of sensations can take place during hypnosis, and everyone can have different experiences. It’s most likely you will enjoy a feeling of deep calmness and relaxation.

Quite the contrary! Anyone can be hypnotized, but it does require an ability to focus, concentrate and follow direction, which means that it’s often the case that the more intelligent you are, the more likely you are to be successful with hypnosis. The most difficult hypnotic subjects to work with are those that are under the influence of drugs or alcohol – precisely because they often can’t focus enough to engage in the process.

You’ll be aware of everything while hypnotized and afterward, unless specific amnesia is suggested for a therapeutic purpose. It’s possible that you’ll have a "dreamy" feeling, or feel as if you are drifting back and forth between sleep and wakefulness throughout hypnosis. It's normal for your mind to wander at times.

It’s not a matter of whether you can be hypnotized, but whether you’ll allow yourself to be helped to enter hypnosis. Most people go into hypnosis easily once they understand that you remain conscious and do not surrender your will during hypnotherapy. Fear of loss of control, which is just a myth, is the main reason some people won't allow themselves to be hypnotized, but if a person is comfortable with the process and with the hypnotist and knows what to expect, it's surprisingly easy. Everyone has the ability to be hypnotized, because it’s a natural, normal state that each of us enters at least twice each day – upon waking and falling asleep. We enter a state similar to hypnosis when daydreaming, meditating, driving on the road and arriving at our destination “automatically”, or being so deeply engrossed in a project or conversation that time seems to fly. A hypnotherapist helps you to enter this receptive state purposefully, and then uses the state to impress suggestions and imagery upon your mind. People seem to be able to achieve different degrees of hypnotic depth, but everyone can be hypnotized to a sufficient level to accomplish most therapeutic goals. Repetitive hypnosis can increase the depth of hypnosis, but doesn’t necessarily make you more suggestible.

Being stuck in a trance is as likely as being stuck in a daydream. It’s simply impossible due to the fact that a trance is a state between states, so eventually you will either fall asleep or simply wake up. Both options are usually quite refreshing.

Hypnosis can be very effective for capturing lost memories, but you can also lie when under hypnosis, or even have false memories. Hypnosis isn't a truth serum.