Is hypnosis dangerous? For most healthy adults, hypnosis done by a trained professional, or a calm guided audio used at home, is considered low-risk. Reported side effects are usually mild and short-lived, and you cannot be made to do something against your will. That does not mean there are no cautions: people with certain mental health conditions should talk to a doctor first, stage shows are a different matter, and an audio should never be played while driving. Below you will find what the evidence says, which myths to drop, who should be careful, and a short checklist for using self-hypnosis sensibly.
In brief:
- Hypnosis is a focused, relaxed state, not sleep and not mind control.
- Side effects are usually mild: headache, drowsiness, dizziness. Rare problems exist.
- Take extra care with psychosis, severe depression, substance problems or past trauma.
- Stage hypnosis and untrained practitioners carry more risk than a calm guided session.
- Never listen to hypnosis audio while driving. Ask a doctor if unsure.
In this article · 10 min read
What hypnosis actually is
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and deep relaxation in which you are more open to suggestions. You are awake, you hear what is said, and you can open your eyes or stop at any time. Better Health Victoria describes it as "a voluntary altering of your own consciousness", adding that you are always in control and "you can't be hypnotised into doing things against your will" (Better Health Victoria).
A Spanish psychology site makes the same point in another way: the person in a hypnotic state is conscious throughout, and if a therapist told them to do something against their will, they would leave the hypnotic state (Psicología y Mente, in Spanish). Everyday life has milder versions of the same thing, like being so absorbed in a book or a familiar drive that you lose track of time.
Two settings are worth keeping apart, because most of the worry about the dangers of hypnosis comes from mixing them up:
| Guided hypnosis or self-hypnosis | Stage or show hypnosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Relaxation, habit change, therapy | Entertainment |
| Pace | Slow, calm, you can stop | Fast, with audience pressure |
| Screening | A trained therapist asks about your health first | Usually none |
| Who is in charge | You, with a guide | The performer and the crowd |
Is hypnosis dangerous? What the evidence says
The honest answer has two parts: serious harm appears to be rare, but "rare" is not "never".
- No serious harm in the main reviews. A French health information page that summarises a 2015 report by the national research institute Inserm says the literature "has not reported serious adverse effects attributable to hypnosis", apart from headaches, drowsiness or dizziness (sante.fr, in French). The report's authors added that they cannot rule such events out completely.
- Mild effects are common enough to mention. A review by John Gruzelier in Contemporary Hypnosis (2006) found that unwanted effects can be physical or psychological and are "mostly short-lived". Higher hypnotizability and deeper involvement made them more likely (Gruzelier, 2006).
- More serious problems are linked to certain settings. The same review says the more serious consequences, such as seizure, stupor, spontaneous dissociative episodes or the resurfacing of past trauma memories, occurred almost exclusively in clinical and entertainment applications. It also argues that stage hypnosis offers inadequate safeguards.
- Old numbers put the usual effects in perspective. Popular Science describes a 1970s study in which 209 undergraduates were hypnotized: a few had headaches or nausea and 25 felt light-headed or drowsy, which the article compares to how students feel during an exam or lecture. It also quotes psychologist Bruce Eimer: "Hypnosis, in and of itself, isn't dangerous", with harm coming from incompetent or inappropriate use (Popular Science).
Better Health Victoria lists the rare unwanted effects as dizziness, headache, anxiety, stomach upset and false memories. False memories matter most when hypnosis is used to "recover" past events, which is a good reason to avoid that kind of use with anyone who is not clinically trained.
Hypnosis myths: what is not true
Most of what people fear is a myth taken from films and shows. These are the ones that come up most often:
| Myth | What sources say |
|---|---|
| "Someone can make me do anything." | You cannot be hypnotised into doing things against your will. Cooperation is needed. |
| "I could get stuck in hypnosis." | No case of this is reported in the sources above. You can open your eyes and come out at any time. If you fall asleep during a relaxation audio, you simply wake up as you would from a nap. |
| "I'll be unconscious or asleep." | You are awake, focused and aware throughout. |
| "I will forget everything." | Memory loss is rare. The Spanish psychologists' news portal Infocop says it affects no more than about 1.5% of hypnotised people (Infocop, in Spanish). |
| "It works the same on everybody." | Not so. Responsiveness varies a great deal from person to person. |
If you are wondering whether you can get stuck in hypnosis, the short version is no: it is a state you go into with your own cooperation, and you can come out of it by deciding to.
Who should be careful
Even though the risk is low for most people, some situations call for a conversation with a doctor or therapist before you try hypnosis:
- Psychosis and similar conditions. Better Health Victoria advises avoiding hypnosis if you have psychosis, severe depression or a drug or alcohol problem. A German medical journal article says hypnotherapy is "not recommended" for psychotic disorders (Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 2004).
- Past trauma. Hypnosis and deep relaxation can bring up memories and feelings. If you have a history of trauma, work with a trained therapist rather than alone.
- Medical conditions. If you have diabetes, a heart condition, a digestive disorder, epilepsy or you are pregnant, or taking medication, check with your doctor first. Better Health Victoria also says to see your doctor before using any complementary therapy.
- Persistent pain or symptoms. Do not use hypnosis instead of getting a symptom looked at.
None of this means hypnosis is forbidden for you. It means that if one of these fits, the decision should be shared with a professional who knows your health.
Is self-hypnosis safe?
Guided self-hypnosis, such as a relaxation audio, usually involves breathing, a body scan and calm imagery. It does not involve a stranger's influence, and you can stop it. For many healthy adults that makes it a low-risk practice, with the cautions above still applying. Still, "low-risk" is not "risk-free", so keep these habits:
- Pick a quiet, safe place. Sit or lie down somewhere you can relax. Not in a moving vehicle.
- Never listen while driving. Not even "just a short one". A hypnosis audio is designed to relax you, and relaxing and driving do not mix. The same goes for machines or anything else that needs your full attention.
- Choose a clear source. Look for a named author, a stated aim and honest wording. Be wary of promises of quick fixes.
- Start short. A few minutes at first lets you see how you react.
- Know you can stop. Open your eyes, take a deep breath, take the headphones off. If something feels wrong, stop and do not continue that session.
- Be gentle with strong emotions. If a session stirs up something painful, treat it as a sign to talk to someone, not to push through.
- Check with a professional when in doubt. A doctor or psychotherapist can tell you whether hypnosis fits your situation.
After a session, mild drowsiness is normal. Give yourself a minute before you stand up, especially if you have been lying down.
How to choose a hypnosis professional
If you want to work with a person rather than an audio, the advice is similar in several of the sources: look for a health professional such as a doctor, psychologist or psychotherapist with extra training in hypnosis, ask about their qualifications, and be wary of anyone who promises a quick fix. A German newspaper article notes that reputable practitioners are usually doctors, dentists or psychotherapists with extra training in hypnosis, and points to professional societies that keep lists (Schwäbische Zeitung, in German). A Spanish newspaper article quotes a psychologists' association warning that going to an unaccredited hypnotist can carry risks, and a psychiatrist in the same piece describing the usual problems as transitory and small, nothing like a total loss of consciousness (El Independiente, in Spanish).
Where our book fits
If you are curious about guided hypnosis for eating habits, you may come across our book, which at the moment exists only in German. It is Hypnotisches Magenband für das Idealgewicht ohne Diät by Elsa Ebner, available as an audiobook and as a book. It is built mainly to be listened to: a main session in which you imagine a "virtual gastric band" as a symbolic picture, plus short daily scripts for portions, cravings and evenings. It is a guided relaxation, not surgery and not a medical treatment.
A few points that fit this article. The book itself says you should not listen to it while driving. It says hypnosis is not a treatment for serious mental illness, and that readers with conditions such as diabetes, heart problems or digestive disorders should involve their doctor. It says the content does not replace therapy or medical advice, and it does not promise results. Its first chapters also take on the myths above, such as losing control or getting stuck. If you do not read German, be aware that the sessions are in German. The edition shown below is the one available.
Want more on the subject? See Does hypnosis work for weight loss? What studies show and Gastric band hypnosis: how the virtual band works. You can find more guides on the Books Go Publications home page and in the Books Go blog.
When to ask a professional
Talk to a doctor or a qualified therapist before using hypnosis if you live with a serious mental health condition, if you have a history of trauma, or if you take medication or have a medical condition. Stop and seek advice if a session leaves you very anxious, confused, or if you feel unwell afterwards. Hypnosis is a complement, not a substitute for medical treatment. If you are in crisis, findahelpline.com lists support services around the world.
Frequently asked questions
Is hypnosis dangerous for the brain?
There is no evidence in the sources above that hypnosis damages the brain. It is a state of focused attention, similar to being absorbed in a book. The documented concerns are mainly mild effects such as headache, and rarer psychological reactions in vulnerable people or in uncontrolled settings.
Can you get stuck in hypnosis?
No. Hypnosis is not a state you can be trapped in, and you can open your eyes and come out whenever you decide to. If you drift into sleep during a relaxation audio, you wake up as you would from a nap.
Can someone make me do things against my will?
No. Better Health Victoria says you can't be hypnotised into doing things against your will, and the person stays in control. Stage shows can look like the opposite, but the performer relies on volunteers who are willing to play along.
What are the side effects of hypnosis?
Most often mild and short-lived: headache, drowsiness, dizziness, sometimes anxiety or stomach upset. In rare cases, particularly with untrained practitioners or stage hypnosis, stronger reactions have been described. If a reaction worries you, speak to a doctor.
Is self-hypnosis safe?
For many healthy adults it is a low-risk practice when done in a quiet place and never while driving. It is not risk-free, and it is not suitable as a treatment for serious mental illness. If you have such a condition, a history of trauma or a medical problem, ask a professional first.
Is stage hypnosis more dangerous than therapy?
The evidence points that way. Gruzelier's review argues that stage hypnosis offers inadequate safeguards, and the Swiss magazine Beobachter says stage acts have little to do with real hypnosis (Beobachter, in German). A guided session with a trained professional includes screening and a calm pace.
Sources
- Better Health Victoria: Hypnosis
- Gruzelier, J. (2006): Unwanted effects of hypnosis, Contemporary Hypnosis 17(4)
- Popular Science: Can Hypnosis Kill You?
- sante.fr: État des lieux : l'hypnose (French, based on the 2015 Inserm report)
- Psicología y Mente: 10 mitos sobre la hipnosis (Spanish)
- Infocop: El uso de la hipnosis en los espectáculos de televisión (Spanish)
- Deutsches Ärzteblatt: Hypnotherapie: Noch nicht alle Indikationen entdeckt (German, 2004)
- Schwäbische Zeitung: Hypnose ist kein Hokuspokus (German)
- Beobachter: Ist Hypnose gefährlich? (German)
- El Independiente: Déjame salir (Spanish)
- findahelpline.com: Support services worldwide
This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from a doctor, dietitian or other qualified professional.
