Trance is a word used in a few different ways, but in hypnosis and psychology it usually means a shift in attention, awareness, and responsiveness.
What trance is
In a hypnotic context, trance often refers to a state where someone is:
more focused inward or on a specific experience
less distracted by outside events
more open to suggestion than usual
still aware, but with attention narrowed or changed
It is important to know that trance is not a single, fixed “special state” that looks the same for everyone. Some people feel very relaxed, some feel alert and focused, and some barely notice anything unusual at all.
How opinions about trance differ
1. Classic hypnotic view
Some practitioners see trance as a distinct altered state of consciousness.
From this view, hypnosis works because the person enters a special mental state that differs from ordinary waking awareness.
2. Non-state / psychological view
Other experts argue that trance is not a special state, but a way of describing normal mental processes such as:
absorption
focused attention
expectation
imagination
response to suggestion
From this view, hypnosis is less about “entering trance” and more about using attention and suggestion in a structured way.
3. Practical / experiential view
Many hypnotherapists take a middle position. They may not argue much about theory and instead use “trance” to mean:
a helpful level of focus
increased receptivity to therapeutic suggestions
a calm, absorbed experience that supports change
In this view, the label matters less than whether the method helps the client.
A simple way to think about it
If you are speaking loosely, trance can mean:
a focused, absorbed state in which attention is turned inward or toward a specific idea, image, or suggestion.
Why people disagree
Opinions differ because:
the word trance is used differently in different traditions
hypnotic experiences vary a lot from person to person
researchers disagree on whether hypnosis is a unique state or a normal psychological process
Bottom line
“Trance” is a useful term, but it does not have one universally accepted meaning.
In hypnosis, it usually refers to focused absorption and increased responsiveness, while experts disagree on whether that should be called a special state or just normal attention and imagination working in a particular way.
¹ APA Dictionary of Psychology, entry on “hypnosis” and related terms.
² Oakley, D. A., & Halligan, P. W. (2013). Hypnotic suggestion and cognitive neuroscience.
³ Lynn, S. J., Kirsch, I., & Hallquist, M. N. (2008). Social cognitive theories of hypnosis.