5 Surprising Ways You've Been Hypnotized Without Realizing It

Whenever I tell someone I'm a hypnotist, someone always says, "I don't think I can be hypnotized." To which I reply, "Congratulations! You just hypnotized yourself to believe you can't be hypnotized!" And then I get that puzzled look because most people have no idea they go in and out of trance all day.

Have you ever been so engrossed in a task that you lost track of time or found yourself swaying to the rhythm of a catchy jingle long after it played? These moments are more than just quirks of the human mind; they're signs that you've experienced a form of hypnosis. Here are five everyday situations where you were probably in a state of hypnosis without knowing it.

Binge-Watching Your Favorite Show

Ever spend an entire day watching a TV show or movie series? I've spent whole days binge-watching NCIS, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings. It's a form of trance. The continuous stream of episodes can lead to focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness, and increased suggestibility—core aspects of hypnosis. Your emotional investment in the storyline keeps you hooked like you're under a spell.

Getting Lost in a Good Book

Reading a captivating novel can transport you to another world. As you dive into the pages, your surroundings fade away, and you vividly imagine the scenes as if they were real. This immersive experience is akin to a hypnotic state, where your concentration is so intense that everything else disappears.

Driving on Autopilot

It's called highway hypnosis. On long drives and incredibly familiar routes, you might reach your destination with little memory of the journey. Your conscious mind takes a backseat, allowing your subconscious to take over the wheel—literally. While you're still aware enough to react to traffic, part of your brain is zoned out.

Shopping Spree Influenced by Music

Stores often play music to create an ambiance. But did you know that certain tempos can encourage you to shop more? Slow music can make you move leisurely, increasing the time you spend in-store, while upbeat tunes boost your mood, making you more likely to splurge. This subtle manipulation is a form of environmental hypnosis.

Video Games Virtual Trance

Gamers know the feeling of being "in the zone," where the outside world fades away as they focus solely on the game. This state of hyper-attention and engagement is not just flow; it's a hypnotic-like state. The interactive nature of video games makes this form of hypnosis even more potent, as players become active participants in the trance. Candy Crush uses music, voices, and pretty colors to keep people playing longer.

In conclusion, hypnosis isn't just a party trick or a therapeutic tool—it's a natural state of consciousness that we slip into more often than we realize. Next time you find yourself deeply absorbed in an activity, take a moment to step out of the trance and begin recognizing the power of your own mind—it's quite mesmerizing!