Yes—to a point, and safely.
In hypnosis terms, suggestibility usually means how readily you respond to ideas, imagery, expectations, and focused attention. That does not mean “being gullible.” It means your mind becomes more responsive to a given framework, especially when you’re relaxed, attentive, and willing to engage.
What can increase suggestibility?
The most reliable ways are less about “trying hard” and more about reducing mental resistance and improving responsiveness:
1) Strong expectation
If you expect a process to work, you usually respond more strongly. This is one reason rituals, structure, and confidence matter in hypnosis.
2) Relaxation
When you’re calm, mentally quiet, and physically settled, suggestions tend to land better. This is why many hypnotic methods begin with slowing down breathing and relaxing the body.
3) Focused attention
Suggestibility rises when attention is narrowed onto one thing: a voice, an image, a feeling, or a count. Distraction weakens responsiveness.
4) Reduced self-monitoring
If you keep checking “Am I doing this right?” you often interrupt the process. Letting experiences happen naturally tends to help.
5) Repetition
Repeated exposure to the same suggestion, image, or cue can strengthen response over time.
6) Emotional engagement
Suggestions work better when they connect to a feeling, memory, or personally meaningful goal.
Best methods to increase suggestibility
1) Practice self-hypnosis regularly
This is one of the best methods.
Use a simple structure:
sit or lie down comfortably
breathe slowly for 2–3 minutes
relax the body
focus on one image or phrase
repeat a clear suggestion
notice any small response without forcing it
Example suggestion:
“As I breathe out, my body becomes calmer and more responsive.”
Do this consistently for 10–15 minutes a day.
2) Use vivid sensory imagery
The mind responds better to suggestions tied to sensory detail.
Instead of:
“I’ll be calm”
Try:
“I notice my shoulders softening, my breathing slowing, and a warm heaviness in my arms.”
The more specific the image, the stronger the effect can be.
3) Work with relaxation first
A simple relaxation routine can make you more responsive:
inhale gently for 4
exhale for 6–8
scan the body from head to toe
release tension in the jaw, shoulders, and hands
This is especially useful before hypnosis or guided imagery.
4) Use yes-set suggestions
These are statements that are obviously true and easy to agree with, followed by a suggestion.
Example:
“You’re sitting here reading this.”
“You can notice your breathing.”
“And that means you can also begin to relax more.”
This kind of sequence often feels smoother to the mind.
5) Reduce internal resistance
If a suggestion feels too big, the mind may reject it.
Better:
“I may begin to feel a little more relaxed.”
“I may notice a slight shift.”
“I can allow this to happen gradually.”
Small, believable suggestions often work better than dramatic ones.
6) Practice absorption
People who get deeply absorbed in music, books, movies, or daydreams often respond strongly in hypnosis. You can train this by:
listening to guided audio with full attention
imagining scenes in detail
focusing on one sound or sensation for several minutes
limiting interruptions while practicing
7) Strengthen responsiveness with repetition and consistency
Hypnotic responsiveness often improves with repeated practice. One session may be subtle, but regular practice can make the mind quicker to enter that state.
What does not work well
forcing yourself to “believe harder”
trying to control every moment
using overly complicated scripts
practicing when exhausted, upset, or highly distracted
expecting instant dramatic effects every time
Suggestibility is usually better described as trainable responsiveness, not a switch you flip.
A simple daily exercise
Try this for 7 days:
Sit quietly for 5 minutes.
Breathe out a little longer than you breathe in.
Repeat:
“Each exhale makes it easier to respond.”
Imagine a simple scene that matches the suggestion, like your body becoming heavier or calmer.
Notice any subtle change.
Do not test or judge it in the moment.
This helps train attention, expectation, and relaxation together.
Important caution
If by “increase suggestibility” you mean making yourself more open to persuasion in everyday life, be careful. Higher suggestibility can make you more responsive to helpful suggestions, but also more vulnerable to misleading ones. It’s best used for:
therapy
habit change
relaxation
confidence work
performance support
Not for surrendering judgment in important decisions.
Bottom line
Yes, suggestibility can often be increased a bit through:
relaxation
focused attention
expectation
vivid imagery
repetition
reduced resistance
regular self-hypnosis practice
The most effective approach is usually consistent practice in a calm, focused state, with suggestions that feel believable and specific.
Oakley, D. A., & Halligan, P. W. (2013). Hypnotic suggestion: Opportunities for cognitive neuroscience. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14(8), 565–576.
Nash, M. R., & Barnier, A. J. (Eds.). (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Hypnosis: Theory, Research, and Practice. Oxford University Press.
Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R., & Spiegel, D. (2015). Advancing research and practice: The revised APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63(1), 1–9.
Kirsch, I. (1999). How expectancies shape experience. American Psychologist, 54(7), 492–503.