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TikTok Hypnosis: what these TikTok videos don't show you!

TikTok street hypnosis
We see a lot of hypnosis videos on TikTok, which are generally quite bluffing and even try to shock the audience in order to generate views.

‘TikTok Hypnosis: A Journey into Imagination, Reality and the Hidden Powers of the Mind


TikTok hypnosis, or street hypnosis, is an art form that combines fascination, science and spectacle. For many, it represents a mysterious experience where people seem to be ‘controlled’ by a hypnotist capable of making them dream, laugh, forget, or even experience surprising illusions. But what is the reality? Is everyone capable of entering a hypnotic state, or are these ‘subjects’ special? In reality, street hypnosis offers us a fascinating insight into the power of our mind, and it is this ability to imagine, to let go and to explore the unknown that hypnosis brings to the fore.


In this article, I'm going to share with you the principles, benefits and cognitive biases associated with street hypnosis, explaining what you don't necessarily see in videos and shows. Because behind every hypnotic phenomenon there is preparation, ethics and, above all, a subtle collaboration between the person being hypnotised and the hypnotist. The ultimate aim? Not to control, but to reveal, to lead people towards introspection, autonomy and a better understanding of their own mental functioning.


The Rapid Principles of ‘TikTok’ Hypnosis: Explanations and Techniques

Contrary to what you might think, street hypnosis or TikTok hypnosis does not rely on any particular ‘power’ on the part of the hypnotist. It is based on simple, effective principles that bring out the natural abilities of the person being hypnotised. Here are some of the main techniques and methods used in street hypnosis:

  1. Direct hypnosis and pattern breaks: In street hypnosis, the hypnotist uses pattern-breaking techniques. These interruptions in the person's flow of expectations create a brief confusion that is conducive to entering a trance. This can be as simple as an unexpected gesture or phrase. For example, a suddenly interrupted handshake, followed by a gentle suggestion, can ‘short-circuit’ the brain's usual patterns, paving the way for the hypnotic state.

  2. Deepenings and focusing: Once the person has entered a receptive state, the hypnotist uses deepenings. These suggestions are designed to intensify the hypnotic state, allowing the person to concentrate even more on the experience, so that they become more immersed in their sensations, thoughts or memories.

  3. Hypnotic phenomena and the exploration of the imaginary: Street hypnosis allows the ‘malleability’ of the mind to be tested through illusions, temporary amnesia or changes in perception. However, it is essential to note that these phenomena stem from the person's natural abilities. The hypnotist guides, but it is the person's own resources that make the experience possible.


What You Don't See in Hypnosis Videos on TikTok: Natural Selection of Participants

When you watch street hypnosis videos, you often see people reacting immediately to the hypnotist's suggestions, which can give the impression that everyone is equally receptive. But in reality, what you see is only a tiny part of the process. These people have been selected on the basis of several tests, and only a small percentage of them respond so quickly.




Most street hypnotists carry out hypnotisability tests before selecting their participants. They may, for example, observe minor reactions to simple suggestions to see who enters a trance more easily. The hypnotisability scale (like the Stanford scale, which classifies individuals according to their receptivity to hypnosis) shows that there is great variability in the way people react to hypnotic suggestions. Approximately 10-15% of the population are highly receptive and can manifest hypnotic phenomena quickly, while the majority enter trance more slowly.


What's more, each hypnotist has his or her own style. Some people do not ‘fit’ with this particular style, but this does not mean that they are generally non-hypnotisable. This underlines the importance of affinity and context in the hypnotic experience.


Here's an example with a ‘sticky fingers’ test I did in 2017 on the campus of Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. NB: most of the participants had no command of English, yet the demonstration was still a success (3/10 were highly hypnotisable), proof of supra-linguistic suggestion mechanisms (body language, authority bias, confirmation/conformation bias, etc.).


Street hypnosis demonstration, using the basic ‘stuck fingers’ hypnotizability test, on the campus of Tsinghua University in spring 2017. A time when my hair still existed. Not yet been able to regrow hair with self-hypnosis, though.

Cognitive Bias in Street TikTok Hypnosis

Street hypnosis exploits several cognitive biases that facilitate the acceptance of suggestions and the unfolding of the hypnotic experience:

  1. The Authority Bias: When someone perceives the hypnotist as an authority figure (especially during a performance), they are more inclined to follow their suggestions. The hypnotist’s "charisma" and confidence enhance the impact of their suggestions.

  2. The "Foot in the Door" Bias: This bias involves asking for a small commitment to pave the way for a larger one. For instance, the hypnotist might ask the person to simply close their eyes and focus, which makes it easier for them to accept more complex instructions afterward.

  3. The Knowledge Bias: The public often believes they understand hypnosis, which can create expectations and behaviors aligned with these beliefs. In reality, every hypnotic experience is unique and depends not on the hypnotist’s "magical mastery" but on the natural abilities of the hypnotized person.

  4. The Exposure Bias: By watching street hypnosis videos, people often associate these visuals with "hypnosis," believing that everyone responds in the same way. This creates a reductive view, whereas, in reality, each person experiences hypnosis differently.


Hypnosis: An Experience of Collaboration and Self-Discovery

What is essential to remember is that street hypnosis is a collaborative experience between the hypnotist and the hypnotized person. Hypnotic phenomena do not occur because the hypnotist "controls" the individual but because the person possesses a natural ability to engage in immersive imaginative experiences. In fact, everyone has this capacity, and it can be deepened through self-hypnosis.

One of the great benefits of street hypnosis is that it allows people to discover new aspects of themselves, play with their perceptions, and enter a state of relaxation and exploration. When performed ethically and respectfully, it becomes a tool to guide people toward greater introspection and a better understanding of their inner workings. In this sense, hypnosis is an art that reveals rather than changes, and its true power lies in helping individuals uncover their own mental potential.


Conclusion: A Gateway to Self-Hypnosis

Anyone can learn the basics of hypnosis, and even more importantly, anyone can practice self-hypnosis to explore and understand their own states of consciousness. Street hypnosis, with its spectacular and direct nature, offers a glimpse of the possibilities hypnosis can provide. It can inspire people to become interested in this practice and perhaps explore how self-hypnosis can help them relax, enhance their well-being, or simply reconnect with themselves.

In conclusion, street hypnosis is not just a spectacle; it is a gateway to the unknown, a reminder of the immense potential of the human mind, and a means of guiding individuals toward deeper self-exploration.

 

The author

⫸Mourad - Ericksonian hypnosis practitioner, trainer and founder of @morpheose

⫸ What I offer

  • 1:1 sessions, in Geneva (17 rue Charles-Giron) and Online

  • trainings in hypnosis

  • workshops and introspection retreats, for individuals and corporations

⫸ former physicist and political scientist, former BCG consultant, sportsman and living being fascinated by consciousness.

⫸ founder of morpheose, for individuals, leaders and organizations in fast-paced and demanding environments.

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