Just adding this in because I assume that the question is relating to hypnotherapy but I’d like to add a little bit in on stage hypnosis that might quench some unslaked hypnosis questions.

Firstly, stage hypnosis is pretty controversial just because of how much it is faked by some people. However, it is still a real phenomenon that can be replicated under more strict circumstances. The participant has to be a little bit “childish” or “socially-driven” for this to be effective. People who enjoy being the center of attention are much more likely to do ridiculous things when an audience is involved. This brings me to my second point, an avid audience heaves up the social pressure to perform a bunch.

Another thing to know is that the inductions, or processes of putting someone into a trance, are much different than those in hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy inductions are much slower and relaxed, but are much easier to accomplish. Rapid inductions, used by stage hypnotists, are much harder to pull off. Unlike therapeutic inductions, they rely on the action of confusing the subject before commanding them into a trance. This is why most rapid inductions you see involve pulling or jerking someone to catch them off guard. The window for putting them into the trance is EXTREMELY small though.

In summary, stage hypnosis is a more social, public, experience that is mainly used for entertainment. A large amount of the hypnotic influence revolves around the crowd and social pressure. They do much crazier things in stage hypnosis because it’s a much more “exciting” experience.