hypno

Hypno is commonly used as shorthand for hypnosis, a set of techniques and experiences in which a person enters a trance-like state characterized by focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness. The term derives from the Greek hypnos, meaning sleep. In practice, hypnosis is typically induced by guided relaxation and suggestion and may affect perception, memory, and voluntary control, with effects varying among individuals and contexts.

In medical and psychological settings, hypnotherapy is used for pain management, anxiety, phobias, habit modification, and certain procedures. The evidence base is strongest for conditions such as pain and anxiety disorders, while other applications remain debated. Ethical practice requires informed consent and professional training; stage hypnosis, by contrast, emphasizes entertainment and is not a substitute for clinical therapy.

Susceptibility to hypnosis varies widely; some people are highly responsive, while others show little responsiveness. Hypnosis is not mind control and cannot force a person to act against their core values or safety. It is generally viewed as a supplementary technique, used in combination with other treatments when appropriate.

Hypno, with capital H, is also the name of a Pokémon species introduced in the first generation of the Pokémon games. Hypno is a Psychic-type that evolves from Drowzee when traded. In the games it is portrayed as using a pendulum-like object to induce sleep and is associated with dream-themed attacks and behaviors. The character appears in video games, anime, and trading-card media.