How do you hypnotize someone?

Hypnosis is portrayed as a procedure which introduces a subject into a mental state where they can be made to recollect knowledge not consciously accessible, accept instructions and commands, or be given instructions ("post-hypnotic suggestion") that can be triggered when the subject has left the hypnotized state.

The act of inducing a hypnotic state is referred to as an induction procedure. There is no current consensus on what the requirements are for an induction procedure to be effective; while some practitioners use simple calming verbal techniques, others use complex triggers, including mechanical devices.

Example of a standard hypnotic suggestion session:

- Two or more physical exercises are performed whereby the subject relaxes every part of the body by following verbal instructions from the hypnotist.

- Next, there are usually two or more visualization exercises which trigger the subconscious mind into creative mental imagery, causing the body to relax even more while lowering the brain frequency.

(Note: The preceding two steps are the hypnotic induction.)

- Then the beneficial suggestions are given to the exposed subconscious mind. There may be as many or as few suggestions as desired. The suggestions may be simple or complex.

- After the suggestions, there is a short awakening procedure.

Another example:

You want the setting to be conducive to a relaxing, meditative state. You don't need to turn the lights off completely, simply dim them. Light a candle or two, and for more ambiance and to help your subject relax even more, light some incense. Make sure the room is set at a moderate temperature (not too warm or cold).

Get your subject to sit in a comfortable chair (and you can have him prop his feet up on a footstool) or recline on a couch -- whichever is more comfortable for him.

If you simply want to hypnotize someone, here's what you do:

- Encourage your subject to relax his mind and muscles.

- Using a calm and soothing voice, tell your subject to inhale from his nose and exhale from his mouth, and instruct him to watch his breath slowly leave his mouth (your subject can keep his eyes open or closed, whichever he prefers).

- Tell him to continue this, and to add colors and patterns to each breath (which represent his worries, thoughts, inhibitions, and whatever he imagines).

- Once his thoughts are floating away with each exhalation, encourage your subject to imagine himself filling up with liquid, from his lowest extremities to his head. Describe the liquid to him -- the color, the texture -- and tell him to imagine it slowly flowing up his body. When it reaches his head, he will feel completely at ease... until you want him to leave the trance or he chooses to -- whichever comes first.

other options:

You can always reformat your technique and keep trying it on different people; see which one you're most comfortable with and which one works best on your subjects.

Use an object and have your subject focus on it.
Have your subject mimic your actions (which should be smooth and slow), and synchronize your gestures with each other, while talking to him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosis#Methods_of_Hypnotism
http://www.llewellynencyclopedia.com/article/224
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/how_to/55_how_to.html

If you wish to explore hypnosis further I have heard many good things about Hypnosis for Beginners by by William W. Hewitt.

The question is, do you want to learn how to hypnotize someone without them even being aware of it? The original answer tells you how to hypnotize someone voluntarily, however if you want to learn the real covert stuff, I suggest you check out http://theartofcoverthypnosis.com/

Hypnosis is a state you are in when you focus extremely hard on something and the rest of the world is cut off from you. It is kind of hard to explain, so I'm really hoping you know what I mean. You can hypnotize a person by making them stare at something for a long time. During that period, their subconsious mind takes over and reality becomes more faint to them. For example, if you tell them to act like a chicken, there really is a chance that they will start clucking and pecking because the command has entered their subconsious mind and that is the first thing they think of. This whole thing is like some kind of dream to them, like they are talking in their sleep, but with their eyes open. However, you cannot force a person into hypnosis. It will only work if the person is well focused. I really hope that helped. (If you people comment on my answer, don't you DARE flame at me, 'cause I am not wrong. I read this somewhere on the computer. Howstuffworks.com or something like that.)

Also an important factor is that not everyone CAN be hypnotized. Only about 35% of people can be hypnotized....