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The Truth About Hypnosis (Stage Hypnotists Won’t Tell You!)

Writer's picture: Tran RatcliffeTran Ratcliffe

Updated: Jan 22

It’s nearly the end of January, and wintertime feels like the perfect season to reflect and recharge, doesn’t it?


I believe this year holds incredible potential for you—a chance to take back control from social anxiety and create a life that feels calm and confident.



So, what’s YOUR vision for the rest of the year? Imagine it’s this time next year. What would you love to be looking back on and saying, “I finally did it”?


Take a moment to picture that—deal?


But while you’re imagining it, notice how you’re talking to yourself about those goals.


Whether you believe you can do it or can’t—you’re right either way.


I’m not saying that to discourage you. Every day, we tell ourselves stories about our experiences and the world around us, like:


  • “I believe I can get better.”

  • “I don’t think this is for me.”

  • “I can do it!”

  • “I failed before. Why try again?”

  • “I’m confident at this.”


The words you tell yourself create emotions. Those emotions drive your actions, and over time, your actions form habits that shape your life.


And that’s exactly what hypnosis is about.


But before diving into that, let’s clear up some myths.


 

What Hypnosis Isn’t


Let’s address the common image of hypnosis:


  • Quacking like a duck on stage.

  • Falling asleep or losing control.

  • Mind manipulation or sorcery.


The dramatic displays of “mind control” are what many people think of when they hear the word hypnosis. But those shows? They’re just that—shows.



Just like a magician’s tricks, stage hypnosis is designed to entertain. Behind the scenes, hypnotists use tactics like:


  1. Selecting extroverted, attention-loving volunteers who are eager to participate.

  2. Creating social pressure so participants follow along to avoid embarrassment.

  3. Using sleight-of-hand tricks and scripted setups to keep the act believable.


That's how the illusion is created. So, what’s the difference between stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy?


 

What About Hypnotherapy?


Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, uses the same underlying principles of hypnosis but applies them in a structured, evidence-based way to help people.



It’s one of the oldest researched interventions, used for decades to help combat anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Hypnotherapy helps with:


  • Reducing anxiety.

  • Promoting relaxation.

  • Boosting confidence and motivation.

  • Practicing how to cope with stress.


Unlike stage hypnosis, hypnotherapy is about empowerment and transformation, not entertainment. And because one of the main elements of hypnosis is imagination and visualization, that brings us to another point: regression.


 

The Truth About Regression


Regression—the idea of revisiting past memories through hypnosis—might sound fascinating. And yes, hypnosis can help you explore past life experiences or childhood memories if you want.


While this can be an interesting experience, it’s important to know that regression isn’t always reliable for uncovering “the truth.”


As I mentioned earlier, hypnosis works by using imagination and visualization to bring out certain emotions and feelings. Because of this, when you use hypnosis to revisit the past, it’s almost impossible to tell how much of what you experience is based on real events and how much is shaped by your imagination—what your brain thinks happened.



I’m not talking about revisiting clear memories of events you know you experienced firsthand. What I mean is using hypnosis to uncover things like past lives, or early childhood moments from a time when your brain wasn’t fully developed to understand or accurately record the world around you.


That’s why I rarely use regression in my approach. My priority is your well-being, which means sticking to methods that are scientifically proven to work. While I value spirituality in my personal life, when it comes to your journey, I rely on evidence-based interventions that deliver real results.


 

Why It Matters


Understanding the reality of hypnotherapy versus the myths allows you to make informed decisions about whether it’s right for you.


It’s not about giving up control—it’s about taking it back.


Hypnotherapy helps you rewrite the stories you tell yourself, empowering you to move forward with confidence and clarity.





And if you have ever wondered if hypnosis could actually help you with social anxiety? My Social Comfort Code Lite course has the answers you’ve been looking for.






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Nottinghamshire, NG17 4EH

tran@mindfulzen.com

+44 7903 327676

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