Typical Subjective Experiences in Hypnosis

Theodore X. Barber in Hypnosis: A Scientific Approach (1969) provides the following table of data on the percentage of participants, from a group of 55, who experienced commonly-cited subjective experiences in hypnosis, following a traditional induction.  In brackets are the percentage of a control group (n=50) who just sat with their eyes shut for the same amount of time.

51%  Alterations in (felt) size of body or body parts.  (36%)

20%  “Disappearance” of body or body parts.  (4%)

85%  Changes in equilibrium.  (66%)

69%  Feelings of unreality.  (26%)

36%  Changes in experienced temperature (feeling very hot or very cold).  (34%)

71%  Hypnotist’s voice seemed either very close or very far.  (34%)