Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Hyper-Suggestibility and Common Examples of Hypnosis, Part 1


(This blog was originally posted on July 13, 2016)


Photo by Rick Hustead






Definition of Hypnosis: “Hypnosis is created by an overload of message units disorganizing our inhibitory process (critical mind), triggering our fight/flight mechanism and ultimately resulting in a hyper-suggestible state, providing access to the subconscious mind.” – John G. Kappas, Ph.D., founder of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute



Recently, I had the honor of describing a common aspect of my work as a certified hypnotherapist to my business-marketing group, the Network Referral Group of the Santa Clarita Valley. In this presentation, I described what environmental factors that can trigger a hyper-suggestible state of awareness and affects our behavior. Following is a list of various ways we can be (and have been) hypnotized by the environment


Examples and Triggers of a Hyper-Suggestible State:

  • Driving past your intersection, street, etc. because you are thinking about something else.
  • Appointment with the doctor, investment broker, accountant, etc., law-enforcement officers, etc., any professional that is “out of your scope of expertise” and you tend to zone out listening to explanations, definitions, etc.
  • Being glued to the television, etc. watching a police chase or incoming reports about a natural disaster, fire, overseas military activity, etc. not directly related to you, you just feel you “can’t turn away.” Also, continually watching on-line video of hostage executions, etc., for the same reason.
  • Missing what someone said to you in a conversation because you were busy thinking about what you should say next or even something completely different.
  • Popularity of Poke-Mon Go: more people walking, looking for the icons in the game. Authorities advising people to not play game while driving, do play on public transit
  • The Internet: Surfing, commenting on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/etc. Do you sometimes say/post something you wish you hadn’t because you were caught up in the moment?
  • Reactions of the passengers on airlines on 9/11: Initially, they listened to and believed what the terrorists told them to do and believed they were on the way back to the airport, there would be a ransom and release, etc.
  • Making purchases on-line, shopping sprees, etc., per encouragement of TV advertisements and in-store representatives
  • Get so caught up watching the action in a movie/television series and become sad, enraged, happy, etc., about the action going on in the story. Did you cry when Jack Dawson died in Titanic? Spend all last summer worried/wondering about Jon Snow’s fate at the end of the fifth and sixth season of Game of Thrones?
  • Panic buying/selling of stocks and investment volatility after the 2016 United States Presidential election, Brexit, other world events or market corrections. Also, feeling pressured to buy into a “Once-in-a-Lifetime Deal!” that is obviously a marketing ploy to make a quick sale.
  • Mob behavior/copy-cat crimes based on what was seen on-line, news, social media, etc. For example, "Flash Mobs" and copy-cat crimes that have been promoted or described on social media.


In tomorrow’s blog, I will provide some tips to help return/maintain a fully alert and aware state no matter what is going on around you.


Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. In July 2019 she was voted the Best Hypnotherapist in Santa Clarita, California. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

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