Hypnosis is not a fully understood concept because of the strong traditional thinking that it was meant to completely control and harm the subject. But hypnosis has developed as a science today and has come to be widely used as an effective therapy that is known to cure its patients. This therapy is commonly sought for problems like bedwetting, dangerous addictions and untamed behaviour. The hypnotist uses this therapy to control and influence the psyche of the patient and psychologically bring about a change in the individual’s behaviour.

The success of hypnotherapy (another name for hypnosis therapy), however, depends largely on the nature and personality of the individual, as was popularly demonstrated by the hypnosis expert, Herbert Spiegel. The Apollonian is the inflexible subject, while the Dionysian is known to be more responsive. The Odysseans lie in between on their score of susceptibility.

Hypnotherapy essentially leads the individual to an unrestrained state of being and consciousness where in his or her mind becomes vulnerable and susceptible to external control and influence, by which the hypnotist can clearly comprehend the problem and accordingly bring about modification or correction in behaviour. Thus, the basic principle of hypnosis therapy lies in complete surrender of mental control by the patient to the hypnotist.