Hypnotized by Reels: How Social Media Traps Us in a Hypnotic Trance State.

In the digital age, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have radically changed the way we communicate, but also the way we perceive reality. Many of us spend hours looking at screens, immersed in a constant flow of content that captures our attention. But what really happens to our minds when we dive into this visual universe? The truth is that, without realizing it, we can enter a state of hypnotic trance, where our consciousness relaxes and our unconscious becomes open to suggestions, but in a uncontrolled manner and at a dizzying pace.

The Hypnotic Trance State

A hypnotic trance state is a moment when our attention is intensely focused on a stimulus, while our awareness of the outside world diminishes. In this state, the mind can be more receptive to influences and suggestions, which can be used for both therapeutic purposes and manipulation. Here, it is important to highlight that a person is only subject to manipulation when they enter a hypnotic state without realizing it. The moment one chooses to enter a hypnotic state voluntarily, the unconscious is alerted and remains vigilant in case any suggestion does not seem right.

When we focus on Instagram Reels or TikTok short videos, our minds begin to disconnect from the outside world. We enter a state of hypnosis without realizing it, but this condition is less about manipulation and more about an intense absorption of content without critical reflection. The information we consume is processed at an accelerated pace, and this constant bombardment of content can lead to cognitive overload. Instead of reflecting on what we’re seeing, we simply absorb it.

This is especially evident among teenagers, who often gather for hours to look at their phones, even forgetting that they are in company. This behavior not only isolates them, but also makes them more susceptible to external influences, as their unconscious is in a continuous state of intense reception.

The Fear of Hypnosis

Unfortunately, due to sensationalism and the bad reputation that some shows have generated, many people today fear hypnosis and hypnotherapy, considering them dangerous or unreliable techniques. However, they do not realize that the hypnotic trance state is very common in our daily lives. We enter a trance state when our attention is very focused on something, and the rest of what happens fades into the background. A hypnotic trance state would be similar to what we experience when we are immersed in a novel, attentively following a movie, or listening to a YouTuber we are really interested in. In fact, every time we let ourselves be carried away by social media, we are experiencing a form of hypnosis. The difference is that, in this case, the suggestions we receive are not filtered or controlled, which can be harmful to our mental and emotional well-being.

The Need to Connect with the Unconscious

Given this reality, it is essential for people to learn to know and manage their unconscious. First of all, it is necessary to establish a conscious connection with this internal part of our mind to explore it and understand how it works. The unconscious is like a large emotional and mental database that accumulates experiences, beliefs, and external influences. This means that everything we consume daily—whether through television, social media, conversations, or readings—can influence how we feel, act, and make decisions, often without us realizing it. The goal is to identify what we have been introducing into our unconscious so we can clean it, filtering what is truly beneficial and distancing ourselves from what may be toxic.

But this process is not limited to identifying and eliminating harmful content. It also involves actively cultivating positive thoughts and beliefs that can enrich our mental and emotional well-being. The human brain has an extraordinary capacity for plasticity, which means we can modify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones. This can be done through the practice of techniques like hypnosis or other forms of therapy that help us reprogram our unconscious.

It is important to keep in mind that managing the unconscious is not a one-time process but a continuous one. As we live new experiences, our unconscious continues to gather information. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a state of conscious vigilance to detect when we are allowing ourselves to be influenced by harmful or unconstructive stimuli. Learning to disconnect from these stimuli, setting healthy boundaries, and consciously selecting which influences we allow into our minds is key to maintaining inner balance.

Finally, it is important to remember that the unconscious is not an enemy, but a powerful part of our being. By learning to work with it effectively, we can use it as a tool to enhance our personal growth, creativity, and well-being. Over time, this conscious connection with the unconscious will allow us to make decisions more aligned with our values and goals, creating a more balanced and satisfying life.

Conclusion

In an increasingly digitized world, it is essential to become aware of the power that social media exerts over us. Recognizing that we are entering states of hypnotic trance can be the first step toward a more conscious and healthy life. The key lies in knowing how to filter and manage the content we consume, allowing us to regain control over what we let into our unconscious. Only then can we escape the cycle of self-imposed hypnosis and live with greater intention and connection to ourselves.

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If you are interested in consciously connecting with your unconscious and learning to manage it, I invite you to contact me to explore how my hypnotherapy can help you.

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Hypnotized by Reels.