Many people have heard of mentalism, but few know exactly what is involved. So let's start with a clear definition.

Mentalism is defined as a sub-category within the field of magic. It has to do with tricks dealing with the mind's power. Rather than relying heavily on tools or grand illusions, it has more to do with try to give the impression that the magician can tap into the minds of audience members, or use his or her own mind control to cause objects to move, etc.

Some people think that mentalism actually depends on some spiritual connection between the supernatural realm and the magician. While there might be a very remote possibility that some magicians actually do have some insight into the spiritual world, most illusionists use mentalism tricks and strategies just like in any other type of magic. You're about to learn some of them!

For example, when we talk about Derren Brown and his ability to make people fall asleep over the phone. It's not that he actually has the power to control other people's minds - he just knows tricks to get people to do what he says.

There is definitely a difference between the two. Derren isn't dabbling in the occult or anything like that; rather, he's using human psychology to create intriguing and mystifying illusions!

For many reasons, including the fact that the old "pull a rabbit out of a hat" type of magic is not as surprising and interesting as it once was, mentalism is one of the fastest growing and most popular forms of magic being practiced today. There are many fabulous and highly talented magicians who specialize in this form, Derren Brown being just one of them.

A Brief Explanation of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is one very highly popular form of mentalism. Psychiatrists actually regard hypnosis as an everyday activity or state that we undergo when we are watching movies, reading books, or driving down a long empty road. When we are doing these sorts of activities we enter a trance-like condition in which we are very vulnerable to the power of suggestion and feel extremely relaxed.

Some people are mistakenly under the impression that hypnosis is like being asleep, but it's actually a hyper-aware, hyper-attentive state. It's also a state of total consciousness.

You know how when you get engrossed in a book you tune out the outside world, paying attention only to the story itself? It's similar to that. You're tuning out extraneous stimuli and focusing in only on one source, the subject or magician who is speaking directly to you. Thus you are very likely to do whatever the magician tells you to do when you're in a hypnotic state!