Can anyone be hypnotized? The truth about hypnotizability and depths

Edwin Selij
July 24, 2025

"I can't be hypnotized."
It's a phrase many hypnotherapists hear during intakes. But is it actually true? Are some people really not hypnotizable? And how deep does a person need to be in hypnosis for effective change?

In this blog article, we dive into the science behind hypnotizability as well as the different depths of hypnosis. Whether you are a hypnotherapist or just curious about what hypnosis does to your brain. You'll get clear answers here, supported by current research.

What is hypnotizability anyway?

Hypnotizability refers to the degree to which a person is susceptible to hypnotic suggestions. This varies from person to person and is influenced by factors such as personality, context, trust in the therapist, and a person’s mental state.

In scientific terms, one speaks of "hypnotic suggestibility." This is measurable and relatively stable over time, but not completely fixed. Some people respond very strongly to suggestion, while others have more difficulty surrendering to hypnosis.

Research: how hypnotizable are people on average?

According to an influential meta-analysis by Hilgard (1965)[1], one of the founders of hypnosis research, approximately:

  • 10-15% of people highly hypnotizable
  • 60-70% average hypnotizable
  • 15-20% low hypnotizable

This distribution is confirmed by more recent studies, such as that of Terhune et al. (2011)[2] and Landry et al. (2017)[3], which use advanced brain imaging techniques to measure differences in brain activity in hypnotizable individuals.

Can really anyone get into hypnosis?

The honest answer: virtually everyone can be in hypnosis, but not everyone in the same way or depth.

Hypnosis is not an “all-or-nothing” state. It is a continuous state (during a hypnotherapy session, for example) ranging from a light to a deep trance. Even people who consider themselves “not suggestible” can benefit from light hypnotic states, especially for relaxation, improved focus, or mild behavioral changes.

What's more important than "whether someone can do hypnosis" is how well the hypnotherapist matches their approach to the client's hypnotizability level.

Factors affecting hypnotizability

Some people are naturally more sensitive to hypnosis than others, but external and internal circumstances also play a role. Consider:

  • Openness to experience (A personality trait).
  • Trust therapist.
  • Cognitive flexibility and imagination.
  • Emotional safety and context.
  • Stress, anxiety or overanalysis.

Hypnotherapist tip: During the intake, pay explicit attention to people's expectations about therapy and creating safety. In the training we also pay attention to misconceptions people often have about hypnosis and how you can explain to people what it is, and let them experience it safely already. That way you create confidence in hypnotherapy.

What are the different depths of hypnosis?

Hypnosis is not a fixed state. There are different depths a person can go to, each with its own characteristics and therapeutic possibilities.

Below is the most commonly used scale:

1. Light hypnosis (light trance).

Features:

  • Closed eyes, light relaxation.
  • Increased focus.
  • Awareness of environment remains partial.
  • Suggestions are usually actively cooperative.

Applications:

2. Medium hypnosis (medium trance).

Features:

  • Reduced muscle activity.
  • Reduced Criticism.
  • Time sense fades.
  • Visualizations and regression are available.

Applications:

3. Deep hypnosis (somnambulism).

Features:

  • Full hypnosis.
  • Dissociation of conscious thought.
  • Anesthesia possible (no pain sensation).
  • Automatic responses to suggestion.

Applications:

Note that deep hypnosis is not necessarily "better. In fact, for many applications, medium trance is the most effective. Many of the techniques you learn during training at Hypnosis Institute Netherlands work especially well when people are in deep hypnosis, but not too deep.

How do you measure hypnosis depth?

Several tests and observation scales have been developed. The most well-known are:

  • Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale (SHSS).
  • Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS).
  • Mirror Eye Roll Test (for quick screening).

In practice, therapists recognize trance by signals such as:

  • Slower client speaking.
  • Micro-movements reduce.
  • Delayed eye blinking, but twitching eyelids.
  • Change in breathing.
  • Reduced muscle activity around eyes and mouth.

For those willing to make the investment, brain measurements via EEG are also available. Highly hypnotizable people show more synchronization in theta waves during hypnosis[5].

Why depth alone is not enough

A common fallacy: the deeper, the better. That's not always true.

Depth is only one factor. More important are:

  • The quality of therapeutic suggestions.
  • The therapeutic relationship between client and therapist.
  • The proper timing of techniques within the change process.
  • Clients' willingness to integrate new meanings into their thought systems.

Some clients achieve major breakthroughs in light or moderate hypnosis. This requires well-tuned communication.

Hypnotherapist tip: Match your goal with hypnosis levels and test occasionally to see if deepening makes sense.

What if someone doesn't seem to be getting into hypnosis well?

Sometimes a client does not succeed immediately in hypnosis. Possible causes then may lie with the client:

  • An excessive need for control.
  • Fear or distrust (conscious or unconscious).
  • Distraction or fatigue.
  • Unrealistic expectations.

In this case, indirect hypnosis, NLP language use or working with metaphors can provide an entry point. Exercises outside the session (such as self-hypnosis or visualization) can also help increase hypnotic receptivity.

In addition, patience is very important while conducting sessions. If it takes 20 minutes to get someone into proper depth or hypnosis, that's just how long it takes. Therefore, take your time during sessions.

Hypnotizability ≠ therapeutic success

In conclusion, being highly hypnotizable does not guarantee lasting change. And people who come into hypnosis "awkwardly" can still achieve wonderful results.

The key is in:

Creating safety

Psychological safety is the basic prerequisite hypnosis. When a person feels unsafe, judged or controlled, the critical brain remains active. This impedes relaxation, surrender and therefore access to suggestibility.

In practice, this means that during the intake, you must adopt a warm and nonjudgmental approach toward your client. You explain the process of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, as this knowledge helps reduce anxiety. It is important to ask for permission before hypnotizing someone, as this helps build trust.

Also give the client control, namely that the client can always choose to "wake up" and be fully alert.

Choosing the right techniques for the right person

Not every client responds to the same inductions or suggestion styles. Some people like direct suggestions ("You feel relaxed now"), while others respond better to indirect/metaphorical approaches ("You can imagine what a quiet place feels like...").

In practice, this means tailoring your approach to the client's personality and learning and imagination. If people have a great need for control, you can also give paradoxical suggestions, such as that people do not need to relax at all.

The hypnotherapy relationship

As in any form of therapy, the relationship between client and therapist is a crucial success factor. In hypnosis, this relationship even acts as an "amplifier" of sorts: the stronger the trust, the more powerful the effect of the suggestions.

To get that therapeutic relationship right, it is important to be truly yourself and empathetic. In addition, you can still use techniques such as mirror behavior. It is also good to share your intention about the session, such as that you lead, but that the client sets the pace of the session.

It is also important to check after each session to see how the client experienced it, as this also creates a sense of belonging and "teamwork."

Flexibility in methodology

Every client is unique. Rigidly adhering to a single protocol or induction is often inappropriate, especially if a client unexpectedly does not respond well or becomes resistant. The most successful hypnotherapists are adaptive improvisers.

In the basic training you will learn what steps to take, and in our advanced training you will learn how to play with those steps. This is why it is important to take all of our courses to be able to call yourself a hypnosis practitioner.

So use your session preparation as direction, not a set script. Learn multiple ways of induction so you can help all kinds of people. Pay close attention to your client, who is always giving you feedback. You'll learn exactly how to see that during our training.

Evaluate all your sessions so you can always improve.

Can anyone get into hypnosis? Yes

So: yes, anyone can be in hypnosis. As a hypnotherapist, the trick is to remain curious about how someone gets into trance, not if.

By recognizing, respecting and learning to work with one's hypnotizability, you increase the effectiveness of your sessions and strengthen your client's autonomy.

Would you like to become a hypnotherapist or improve your skills? Then come to our free masterclass for an introduction.

Or sign up right away for one of our events or training programs.

Do you have a question about our training program? Schedule a one-on-one consultation here.

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