Can a Rapid Induction Work on a First-Time Subject?

Can you hypnotize someone fast, even if they’ve never been hypnotized before?

When people first get into hypnosis, one of the big questions that always comes up is, Can a rapid induction work on someone who’s never been hypnotized before? The short answer is yes, and in this post, we’re going to explain how and why it works. You’ll learn the difference between rapid and instant inductions, how to get the most out of them, and we’ll even throw in a real-life story to show you these techniques in action.

What’s the Difference Between Rapid and Instant Inductions?

Before we explain how to do this, let’s get clear on what we mean by “rapid” and “instant” inductions. 

• Rapid inductions are, as the name suggests, fairly fast—they usually take under 3 minutes. But in practice, most rapid inductions we use at MMHA are a lot faster, often taking 30 seconds to a minute. The goal here is to engage the unconscious mind quickly by using specific techniques that don't require lengthy relaxation scripts.
• Instant inductions, on the other hand, are even quicker, happening in a matter of seconds. These are the ones where you see a hypnotist give a sudden command or perform a quick action, and boom, the person is in trance. Instant inductions work by creating a shock or surprise that momentarily disrupts the person’s thought process, making it easy to drop them into a hypnotic state.

Think of it this way: If a rapid induction is like unlocking a door to trance, then an instant induction is like blowing the door wide open with C4. They’re both highly effective, but they work slightly differently.

How Do Rapid Inductions Work?

So, how do you get someone into trance rapidly, especially if it’s their first time? One of the key techniques we use is catalepsy. This is when a limb, like an arm, seems to get stuck or "frozen" in place, whether floating in the air or refusing to move. This technique is powerful because it’s a clear, immediate sign that hypnosis is happening—both for the hypnotist and the subject.

Catalepsy in Action

Let’s walk through a simple rapid induction. One of the methods we teach involves something called kinesthetic ambiguity, which is just a fancy term for confusing the senses a little to bypass the critical faculty and connect directly with the unconscious. Here’s how it works:

1. First, you might say something like, “Can I borrow that hand?” while gently reaching out for the person’s hand. This phrasing is important because it subtly dissociates the hand from the person’s conscious mind, almost like saying, "This hand is now mine to work with."
2. As you lift the hand, I avoid giving direct suggestions like “Your hand is floating” or “Your arm is getting lighter.” Instead, I draw their attention to the hand itself, saying something like, “Notice the changing sensations in your hand... the subtle shifts... just focus on that.” This indirect approach helps the person naturally experience the sensation without their conscious mind getting in the way.
3. Before they know it, their arm is just hanging there, suspended in the air. This is catalepsy in action. Their arm hasn’t floated because I told them it would—it’s happened because they’re already in the process of going into trance.

At this point, you can deepen the trance easily. You might say, “And as your hand begins to drift down, allow yourself to go deeper and deeper into relaxation.” The hand’s movement becomes a physical signal for the mind to sink further into hypnosis.

All of this happens in about 30 seconds, give or take. What’s amazing is that even someone who has never been hypnotized before can experience this—because the technique taps into universal principles of how body mechanics and the unconscious mind works.

The Power of First Impressions: Hypnotizing a First-Timer on Live TV

Mike Mandel has used this technique countless times. One of his favorite stories is when he hypnotized a security guard on live TV. He was supposed to be doing a typical interview on City TV in Toronto, but things took an unexpected turn when the host asked him to demonstrate hypnosis. The catch? There was no prepared subject.

They grabbed a security guard who had never been hypnotized before. Mike used the kinesthetic ambiguity induction—creating catalepsy in his arm—and within a minute, he was deep in trance, riding an imaginary motorcycle. The audience loved it, and it was a powerful example of how these techniques can work even on a first-timer.

What made it work? Rapport. That’s the key to successful hypnosis, especially on the first try.

Why Rapport is Crucial

Let’s talk a bit about rapport because it’s the secret sauce of any successful hypnosis session. Without it, even the best induction technique will fall flat. Hypnosis isn’t something you do to someone—it’s something you do with them.

Rapport is the sense of trust, connection, and understanding that builds between you and your subject. It’s what makes them feel comfortable enough to follow your lead and let go into the hypnotic experience. Without rapport, it doesn’t matter how fast or fancy your induction is—it won’t stick.

A great example of this is the TV story we just mentioned. The security guard didn’t know Mike personally, but he built rapport with him in those first few moments by being confident, clear, and respectful. That connection allowed him to trust the process, even though he had never been hypnotized before.

Click here to learn more about creating rapport with your subject.

The Magic of Instant Inductions

Now, what about instant inductions? These are the ones where the hypnotist gives a quick, sudden command like “Sleep!” and the person seemingly drops into trance instantly. How does this happen so fast?

Instant inductions work on a phenomenon called the PGO spike, which stands for Pons-Geniculate-Occipital spike. This is a brainwave pattern that occurs when you’re suddenly startled or surprised, like when someone jumps out and yells "Boo!" When this happens, your brain is momentarily overloaded and becomes hyper-suggestible, making it the perfect time to drop in a suggestion.

Here’s how it looks like:

1. You engage the person’s attention, usually by holding their hand or placing a hand on their shoulder.
2. You then create a sudden, surprising movement—like pulling their arm or giving a sharp command like “Sleep!”
3. Their brain goes, Whoa, what just happened?, and for a brief moment, their critical faculty (the part of the mind that analyzes and questions things) is bypassed, allowing them to drop straight into trance.

Of course, rapport is still key here. Even with a dramatic instant induction, you need that trust and connection for it to work. Without rapport, you’ll just startle the person and they’ll snap right back out of it (and they won’t be very happy).

Why These Techniques Work (Even on First-Timers)

So, can these techniques really work on someone who has never been hypnotized before? Absolutely! The reason they work so well is that they are based on solid, universal principles of how the brain and unconscious mind operate.

Here’s what makes these techniques so reliable:

• Willingness: The person has to want to experience hypnosis. It’s a cooperative process, not something you force on someone.
• Rapport: When the subject feels comfortable, they’re much more likely to follow your suggestions.
• Technique: Whether you’re using a rapid induction or an instant induction, applying the method correctly is essential. You’re not just giving commands—you’re engaging their attention, pacing, leading, and using their natural responses to guide them into trance.

When all of these factors are in place, both rapid and instant inductions can work wonders, even on someone experiencing hypnosis for the first time.