Hypnosis similar to daydreaming where your mind is focused but not distracted - it is a natural but heightened state of mind and body consciousness. In this heightened and focused state of concentration it allows the hypnotist to give comic suggestions to which each volunteer will follow to tap into their inner talents and imagination to entertain others. That is the fun of stage hypnotism.
Ray's number one concern whilst on stage is for the physical safety and psychological well-being of his volunteers, even given the misconceptions about the safety of hypnosis. At the start of the performance Ray explains what hypnosis isn't and is to the audience.
Can a person do anything against their will whilst hypnotised?
A: No. A person in a state of hypnosis will not allow themselves to do anything they would not normally do. In fact, your subconscious mind won't allow you to do or say anything you would normally feel is against your moral or ethical beliefs.
Can a person become "stuck" in a hypnotic state?
A: No,
the human mind’s protective sense of self simply won’t let either of those happen. In the unlikely event a hypnotist failed to return a hypnotized person to full conscious awareness the person would drift off to sleep and would soon wake up (so to speak) and out of the hypnosis.
During the show, if an emergency should arise or the volunteer no longer wanted to participate in the show, he or she could awaken at any time and leave the stage area. Which happens in most shows when you see a person get up and leave the stage. Generally speaking, without the external stimuli of Ray's voice, which the volunteers are focused on. The person who has volunteered to take part in the show
would either fall asleep or become fully alert and awake soon without harm.
If Ray were (God forbid) to drop dead or leave the building before counting the volunteers up to full conscious awareness, they would soon realize they can no longer hear his voice. They would conclude the
show had ended and would awaken on their own in a few minutes... as if they had a nap. At the end of the show Ray awakens and removes all suggestions except one—that the volunteers feel fully refreshed, relaxed in every way and that they had a good time!
Is Stage Hypnosis safe?
A: Yes, hypnosis is as safe as daydreaming in a chair at home… Hypnosis is no more dangerous than natural sleep. However, on stage, Ray does his best to protect the volunteers from harming themselves. When they stand up and move around the stage, they do so with their eyes open.
You are conscious, but you tune out most of the other stimuli around you. On stage the hypnotist is the focus of the hypnotized people to the near exclusion of most other thoughts—except generally the sensation of physical relaxation and mental focus on the suggestion. And that is why hypnotized people do silly things on stage. Hypnotized people are capable of saying no, or terminating hypnosis, all by themselves; there is research available to show that is in fact the way it is, as well.
Hypnosis is as safe on stage as most other interactive or audience participation entertainment when it is practiced by a professionally trained, skilled hypnotist like Ray.
