When people hear the term “hypnosis”, we often think of swirling eyes and pocketwatches. Interestingly, the greatest hypnotists never used anything except simple conversation to hypnotize people. The power of tactical conversation and the simple sound of the human voice can be an incredibly powerful tool in hypnosis.

Conversational hypnosis is essentially a way of talking to people that induces a trance state. It is an attempt to reach the subconscious mind by tapping into specific thoughts an experiences a subject may have. It requires training and experience to be a successful hypnotist.

It should be noted that conversational hypnosis is not mind control and cannot be used to make people do things against their will. Instead, it is intended to make people more receptive to the hypnotist's suggestions through the trance state.

Trances are when the mind goes into a very focused, concentrated state. When you are thinking so hard about something that your mind is completely centered on it, you are in what hypnotists call a trance. The trance state is not a time when your mind is passive; on the contrary, your mind is intensely focused and sharp, in a heightened state of awareness.

Conversational hypnosis uses a series of conversational tactics – rapport, suggestion, and confusion – to induce the trance state. This is how hypnotists are able to bring subjects into a frame of mind where they are more receptive, more focused, and can listen better. In the trance state, a subject's subconscious is activated, eliminating all outside influences that might affect how that person thinks about the world at large and the problem presented by the hypnotist.

Conversational hypnosis should not be attempted by anyone who is unfamiliar with it. It takes training and patience to learn to be an effective hypnotist.