I've never been one to believe in hypnosis. Even after learning the science behind the practice in psychology class last year, I remained my stance of being a non-believer. How is it possible for a single person to affect your behaviors and consciousness? However, last week, after attending a hypnotist show, my beliefs have been challenged – not drastically but enough to change my perspective in regards to the wide world of hypnosis. For all of you non-believers, I understand that the following may seem completely unfeasible – I thought so too before my encounter with hypnosis. Yet if you are one of the many people who believe in hypnosis but have not been hypnotized, this may help you to delve deeper into hypnosis and all that comes along with the practice.

The night was an ordinary Wednesday, and my new friends and I decided to attend Chris Jones' Hypnotist Show that is part of the University of Georgia's welcome activities. You may recognize the name Chris Jones – he is the hypnotist who gained worldwide popularity after hypnotizing Howie Mandel on America's Got Talent. Knowing this, before the show I decided that if hypnosis is a legitimate practice, Chris would be the one who would be able to hypnotize me. With a clear mind and open arms, the show started with exercises that showed Chris the easiest targets – and surprisingly, I was one of them.

After these practice exercises, I was quickly hypnotized – focusing only on Chris' voice and feeling an overwhelming state of relaxation. The rest of the show was a bit of a blur if I am being honest; however, most of what occurred has come back to my conscious self within the last week. Through my friends who have told me what I did on stage and a few flashbacks to that night, I know the synopsis of what occurred but still do not know the full extent. At the time, I saw everything but was incapable of completely comprehending the situation since all of my attention was not on the audience in front of me but instead the voice of the hypnotist – my expression remaining still and lifeless despite the humor that existed around me. I wanted to smile, laugh and show my true expression, but could not. Although I learned the specificities behind hypnosis, the science still confuses me; however, I know that hypnosis is not fake.

Being hypnotized feels like serenity – my heartbeat remaining constant despite the urge to have a panic attack. Even though you may feel helpless, you are in complete control of your response to the hypnotist's voice – if I did not feel comfortable, I would not do it. It is an experience, to say the least, which I would recommend to every believer and non-believer. So next time you hear of hypnosis, do not immediately call the practice fake or impossible. Certain aspects may not seem plausible, but I can contend – those who refuse to believe in hypnosis will never be able to experience the beauty that lies within stretching the human consciousness.