I think Jim Dixon is on the right track above. There's a wealth of information on this issue (start at www.csicop.com perhaps). As I understand it (not an expert, but doen much reading), hypnotism cannot be forced upon someone who is not receptive, and it mostly involves getting people to shed inhibitions, fears, or other defenses. I do think it has beneficial uses -- my father-in-law learned it as an OB-GYN to help nervous patients relax and swears by it for that purpose at least.