Hypnosis in Popular Culture – Part 1

I’ve often said we all hold within our minds an idea of what Hypnosis is. Our own personal version of what it means to be Hypnotized.
So, where does it come from?

I firmly believe there’s an anthropologically based, deeply held subconscious ability to trance, meditate or engage in prayer prevalent in every human culture, but that’s a post for another day with many more big words!

However, what I’m talking about here are the images conjured up by the words Hypnotist, Hypnosis or Hypnotized when you mention them to anyone over the age of about 7 years old.

In popular culture, when you start to look, you’ll find we are bombarded by images of Hypnosis, both negative and positive (mostly negative) in cartoons, comic books, TV programmes and films from a very early age.

I’m not interested in entering into a debate on whether these inaccurate portrayals damage the reputation of my chosen profession.
I just think it’s helpful to know what’s lurking in the minds of our volunteers, clients and subjects when we discuss Hypnosis in our “pre-talk” or in any forum.
Plus, it’s a great excuse for a bit of light relief which I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I do.

So I bring you the first in this series of blog posts:

From 1942, it’s Bugs Bunny – The Hare Brained Hypnotist!