Hypnosis is a deep state of relaxation, or an altered state of consciousness in which the hypnotized individual is more receptive to suggestions, than in the normal awake state. Most people go into a state of hypnosis directly before they fall asleep. They may feel like they can’t move, but they can hear things around them.

The word hypnosis was derived from the term “neuro-hypnotism” (nervous-sleep). James Braid, a surgeon named the deep state of relaxation in 1841 to separate his ideas from Franz Mesmer. Franz Mesmer called his procedure “Mesmerism”. Either way, hypnosis was considered to be a wakeful state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, with a diminished sense of what is going on around the individual.

Hypnosis can be used for almost anything. You can change habits, depression, feelings or even how successful you are. Your subconscious mind does not know the difference between fact and fiction; it just accepts the statements as truth. Therefore, 4 to 6 sessions of hypnosis can get someone who has depression to think more positively and turn their life around. 

You cannot get stuck in hypnosis because you will either wake up or fall asleep. It is not a state of mind that you can maintain for any great length of time. Hypnosis is perfectly safe.