Three Sneaky Stage Hypnosis Tricks and How They Work Their Magic
“Look into my eyes”...
It’s the opening refrain of stage hypnotists across the world - and the start of some serious word wizardry that gets willing participants to fall under the spell of a skilled hypnotist (much to the amusement of the watching crowd!).
Now, first things first, stage hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy are definitely not the same. Stage hypnosis is focused on entertainment and is all about the show, whereas clinical hypnotherapy involves encouraging subtle shifts in your subconscious in order to adjust certain patterns and behaviours you want to change.
But stage hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy do have some things in common. For example, the participant needs to be willing to engage in the activity, as being completely closed off generally means the hypnosis won’t be effective in either case.
While my clinical hypnotherapy isn’t a ‘show and tell’ like stage hypnosis, I thought it would be interesting to explore some of the three fancy tricks used by stage hypnotists in order to work their magic on their volunteers.
Watch out for these three sneaky stage hypnosis tricks - and don’t let yourself fall under their spell!
Stage Hypnosis Trick 1: The Bucket and Balloon Challenge
This brilliant trick involves suggestibility. Using this technique, the hypnotist will ask you to hold out both your hands and close your eyes (always very important!).
Next, you’ll be asked to turn your right palm upwards and imagine that a large balloon is tied to it with a piece of string.
Then, you’ll turn over your left palm and imagine that a heavy bucket is tied to it with another piece of string.
As the hypnotist continues convincing you that these two objects of very different weights are suspended from either hand, you’ll start to feel as though your left hand (holding the bucket) is getting heavier and heavier, while your right hand feels incredibly light in comparison.
Of course, both hands are as empty as they were when you first closed your eyes - but the power of words will have you utterly convinced otherwise.
Stage Hypnosis Trick 2: The Superglued Hands Trick
Another trick up the sleeve of many a stage hypnotist involves some metaphorical superglue. After you close your eyes, the hypnotist will ask you to take your hands and clasp them tightly together.
You’ll then be told that your fingers are becoming more and more tightly clasped together, as if they’re literally stuck with super glue. The harder you try to unclasp them, the more tightly they’ll be joined together.
Once again, while there’s definitely no adhesive material used in this trick, the hypnotist’s words will be enough to make you feel as though you may never be able to unclasp your hands!
Stage Hypnosis Trick 3: The Blinding Postural Sway
This final trick relies on the incredibly bright stage lights which have a blinding effect on the poor hypnosis volunteer who’s been called up on stage.
After staring at these lights for some time, the volunteer will find it difficult to see clearly and will want to close their eyes. The hypnotist will then ask them to look straight up to the ceiling and, positioning themselves behind the volunteer to catch them, they’ll tell them they’re going to fall backwards.
Using repetition to reinforce the sense of swaying (you’re falling, you’re falling, you’re falling), the volunteer will genuinely feel as though they’re losing their balance and will topple backwards - even though the swaying motion is all in their heads.
So there you have it - three sneaky stage hypnosis tricks to look out for should you ever find yourself at a hypnosis show. Rest assured, these tricks won’t be used in our sessions! The only wizardry I’ll be using is the power of your own subconscious to shift your behaviours and engage in happier, healthier habits.