Is Stage Hypnosis Real? A Behind-the-Curtain Look

Let’s be honest — if you’ve ever seen a stage hypnosis show where someone ends up believing their shoe is a phone or that they’re Beyoncé at Glastonbury, you’ve probably had one of two reactions:

1. “That’s amazing!”
2. “That’s gotta be fake…”

And hey, I get it. I’ve been doing this job for over 20 years — I’ve heard it all.
“Are they stooges?”
“Are they actors?”
“Did you plant them in the audience?”
Spoiler alert: No, no, and absolutely not.

So let’s tackle the big question head-on:
Is stage hypnosis real?
Short answer? Yes.
Longer answer? It’s real, but it’s not what you think.

What Is Stage Hypnosis?

Stage hypnosis is a unique blend of psychology, suggestion, performance, and showmanship. It’s about creating a safe space for people to tap into a part of their mind that has always been there: their imagination, their openness, and their focus, and then guiding that with hypnotic suggestions.

And yes, people really do get hypnotised.
No, they’re not asleep.
No, I don’t control their minds.
And yes, they really do forget their own names, start dancing like nobody’s watching, or speak fluent “Martian” (whatever that sounds like).

The Real Mechanics of Stage Hypnosis

Let’s pull back the curtain for a second.

Here’s what’s really happening behind the laughs:

1. The Pre-Talk & Suggestibility Tests
   Before the show kicks into full gear, I’m already observing. Who’s reacting? Who’s playful? Who wants to be on stage? I use group suggestibility tests, such as magnetic fingers or hand locks, to identify the most responsive individuals. These aren’t tricks, they’re psychological litmus tests.
2. The Induction
   Once I’ve got my volunteers, I guide them into a relaxed, focused state. This is called induction. It looks dramatic, but it’s essentially helping people quiet their critical mind and focus their attention inward.
3. The Suggestion Phase
   Now the fun starts. I offer suggestions, silly ones, empowering ones, surreal ones — and because they’re in a highly responsive state, they go with it. Not because they have to, but because they want to.
4. The Show
   What you’re watching isn’t people “under your power.” It’s people permitting themselves to let go. And let’s be fair, when was the last time you had a socially acceptable excuse to be Elvis in front of 300 strangers?

Are They Faking It?

Let me say this loud and clear:
People on stage during a hypnosis show are not faking it.

They’re not paid. They’re not stooges. They haven’t been “in on it” since soundcheck.

But they are going along with it, because it’s fun. After all, it feels good, and because in that hypnotic state, the suggestions feel real. The line between reality and imagination gets blurry, and that’s the magic of it.

It’s not acting.
It’s not lying.
It’s participation.

If someone wasn’t open to the idea of dancing like a ballerina or forgetting their name, they wouldn’t have responded. That’s why I only pick people who want to be there.

What Stage Hypnosis Isn’t

Let’s clear up a few myths:

• ❌ It’s not mind control.
  I can’t make you do anything you wouldn’t do normally. Hypnosis can enhance your confidence or help you act silly but it won’t override your morals or your sense of self.
• ❌ It’s not sleep.
  You’re fully aware during hypnosis. In fact, many people remember everything — they just describe it as feeling “dreamlike.”
• ❌ It’s not fake.
  Look, you can’t “fake” a hypnotic response if you don’t know what the suggestion is going to be. I’ve seen people speak fluent alien, forget their shoes, or laugh uncontrollably… and they’ll often say after, “I knew what I was doing… I just couldn’t help myself!”

That’s real hypnosis.

The Science Says It’s Real

Brain scans show that during hypnosis:

• The default mode network (responsible for self-awareness) becomes less active.
• People respond to suggestions in a different way than when they’re not hypnotised.
• The part of the brain that handles imagination lights up, as if the suggestions are being lived, not just heard.

In other words, their brain really believes what they’re experiencing.

So, Is Stage Hypnosis Real?

Yes.
Stage hypnosis is absolutely real.

But it’s not supernatural.
It’s not spooky.
And it’s not just entertainment, it’s an insight into how powerful the mind can be when it drops its guard.

The volunteers on stage aren’t being controlled. They’re just tapping into a part of themselves they don’t usually get to explore, the playful, the uninhibited, the creative part.

And if that’s not real, I don’t know what is.

Want to See It for Yourself?

I always say: “Don’t take my word for it — come see a show.”
Experience the laughter. Watch the transformations. Or better yet, volunteer and feel what it’s like to have your imagination take the wheel.

📅 Check out my upcoming shows
🎧 Or explore my hypnosis recordings if you want to try it in private
📲 Got questions? Drop me a message — I don’t bite (unless hypnotised to think I’m a vampire)

Final Word

Stage hypnosis isn’t about embarrassment. It’s not about power.
It’s about connection, confidence, and comedy — all rolled into one unforgettable night.

So, is stage hypnosis real?

It is. And when it’s done right… it’s pure magic.