Yes—some people can respond to hypnotic suggestions delivered by text, although text messaging is not a special or guaranteed form of hypnosis.
Hypnosis is commonly defined as a state involving focused attention and reduced awareness of surrounding distractions, along with an increased capacity to respond to suggestions.¹ A live hypnotist is not strictly required: people can enter hypnotic experiences while reading written instructions, listening to recordings, or following a self-hypnosis exercise. Text can provide the words and structure that guide attention, imagination, and expectations.
That does not mean that someone can secretly control you through a message. Hypnotic suggestions generally work only when you engage with them voluntarily and are willing to follow them. You remain capable of ignoring the instructions, stopping, questioning what is being said, and declining suggestions that conflict with your values or intentions. Hypnosis also does not produce mind control, compel criminal behavior, or remove ordinary judgment.² So, the movie theme of reading a text message, becoming a “hypno-zombie” and doing the bidding of the one who texted you is complete fiction.
A text-based exercise is more likely to feel hypnotic when you:
choose to take part;
read slowly and without interruptions;
focus your attention on the words;
use imagination or sensory details;
expect some kind of response; and
allow yourself to notice changes in relaxation, concentration, or perception.
The experience may be weaker or different from a session with a trained professional because text provides less immediate feedback. A professional can notice confusion or distress, adjust the wording, and help you reorient afterward. Text is also easy to misunderstand, so responsible exercises should avoid frightening suggestions, claims of guaranteed results, false memories, or instructions to do anything unsafe.
For practical safety, do not read or follow a hypnotic exercise while driving, operating equipment, or doing anything that requires full attention. If a message causes intense anxiety, disorientation, unwanted memories, or other distress, stop reading it and contact a qualified mental-health professional. Hypnosis should not be used as a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.
So the short answer is: yes, text can guide a voluntary hypnotic response, but it cannot take control of your mind.
Notes
Gary R. Elkins et al., “Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis,” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 63, no. 1 (2015): 1–9.
Michael R. Nash, “The Status of Hypnosis as an Empirically Validated Clinical Intervention,” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 48, no. 2 (2000): 123–143.