1. Can a hypnotist make me do things against my will?
No. The hypnotist has no powers over you at all, and cannot make you do things against your will. The hypnotist merely guides you into a hypnotic state, and feeds your mind with carefully worded suggestions. If you were to feel uncomfortable with these suggestions, you would reject them at will. Hypnosis is essentially a matter of cooperation between the hypnotist and his subject, not some form of power the hypnotist possesses which will compel the subject to submit to his or her will.
2. Could I ever be hypnotized and not be able come out of it?
If you are under hypnosis and the hypnotist suddenly left the room, two things may happen. You will either realize that the hypnotist is no longer talking to you, and will open your eyes, feeling fresh and alert. Or you may drift into natural sleep, in which case you will wake up after a few minutes.
3. Is it true only weak-minded people can be hypnotized?
False, Hypnosis has nothing to do with will power. People often confuse hypnosis with gullibility. There is no connection between the two. On the contrary, the more intelligent a person is, the easier it is for him to be hypnotized. To be hypnotized one needs the abilities of concentration, imagination and vivid visualization.
4. Under hypnosis, can one be made to reveal his secrets?
As already mentioned, under hypnosis the subject is fully alert, in fact more alert, in fact more alert than usual. The hypnotist can only guide the subject to remember forgotten memories. Whether the subject will reveal them to the hypnotist is entirely at his own discretion.
5. Is hypnosis dangerous?
No. It is quiet the opposite. Hypnosis is safe and natural process. One fact that most people are unaware of is that we undergo hypnosis several times in our daily lives. For example, while driving along a highway, watching television, listening to music, listening to a speaker, how dangerous is that?
6. Does one need special talents to be hypnotized?
Any average person with the willingness to relax can experience hypnosis. It is just a matter of finding and eliminating misconceptions or fears about the hypnotic process and allowing it to unfold.
7. When experiencing hypnosis, will I be totally unconscious?
At all times during the course of a hypnotic session, you will be able to hear and think. You are aware of what is going on around you. Although you body is very relaxed, your mind is actually more alert than usual.