Since history was first recorded, mankind has attempted methods to control how others think and subsequently act, and not all of it has been for good. Brainwashing, often mistaken for a method to control minds using hypnosis, has generally been associated with so-called cults as leaders used subliminal messages in an attempt to exert control over others' thinking.

Experts explain hypnosis as a simple process of gaining access to a person's subconscious mind, bypassing the usually negative conscious, which acknowledges reality as it is. The subconscious does not always hold the same thoughts and is more open to suggestions as they relate to a different reality. In theory, a person should be able to control their mind using hypnosis to enter the subject's subconscious.

Imbedded Thoughts Fight Off Control

However, being able to place thoughts into someone's subconscious is not as easy as dangling a bright object in front of their eyes and telling them they are getting sleepy. There has to be a reason for a person's subconscious to accept the suggestions as a new reality before someone can control their mind using hypnosis. Entering someone's subconscious and leaving the thought that they are a non-smoker is being used successfully to help people quit smoking.

However, if you were able to completely control your mind using hypnosis, the success rate would most likely be higher than the current 65 percent. That indicates that either 35 percent of those undergoing hypnosis to quit smoking were not able to accept the subconscious suggestion, or the hypnotists were not able to control minds using hypnosis.

There are many people who make the claim that they cannot be hypnotized, and that may appear true on the surface, but what it may mean is that those folks may need a different method of entering a totally relaxed state to allow a hypnotist to pass their conscious mind.

Typically, a person who has difficulty being hypnotized is reluctant to allow someone else to control their mind using hypnosis techniques mostly out of fear of losing that control, or due to irrational fears of what they may do or say while hypnotized.