The Lemon Test for Hypnotizability
The Lemon Test measures your ability visualize and how your mind and body react to those images. The test does not “hypnotize” you or place you in a hypnotic trance and even if you have no interest in hypnosis, it is still a fun exercise to see how your mind and body work together. The test only requires a few minutes and all you have to do is read, then imagine what is described.
Each step of the way, pause, close your eyes and make the images real in your mind, then open your eyes and continue. The more real you can make it, the better this works.
Ready?
Read Along, or Listen Below
Imagine a lemon.
Make this lemon the most perfect lemon you have ever seen.
The lemon is the perfect color of yellow.
Imagine that you can see the lemon in great detail. You can see the pores in the skin of the lemon. You can see where the stem attaches. You can see the waxiness of the rind and you can see how the light is reflected from the parts of the lemon.
Imagine the lemon is so real that you could reach out and touch it. When it seems that real, reach out and grasp the lemon with your hand.
Notice that it feels just like you knew it would. Not too cool, not too warm, but exactly as you already know the perfect lemon would feel.
You can feel the texture of the skin against your fingers and as you bring the lemon closer to you, you begin to catch a hint of the wonderful fresh scent it has.
Now, imagine you are standing in a kitchen, in front of a counter, and on that counter is a cutting board and a knife
Imagine placing the lemon on the cutting board on the counter in front of you.
Visualize yourself picking up the knife and slicing the lemon in half. Watch as the blade cuts into the lemon, releasing a spray of juice into the air. The air is filled with the scent of fresh lemon.
Take a moment now, close your eyes and imagine the scene. Visualize the sliced lemon, remember the sound the knife made as it sliced through the thick skin and into the middle of the lemon, releasing the juice into the air. With your eyes closed, recall that first burst of lemon scent as it entered your nose. So vivid you could almost taste it. When you have seen that in your mind, open your eyes.
Now, take the knife and make a second cut, creating a lemon wedge. Notice how the juice flows out on to the cutting board and even your fingers. Notice that again you were able to see the spray, hear the sounds and smell the fresh lemon as you cut into it.
Imagine picking up that lemon wedge. Feel as the juice runs down your fingers. Notice how the scent becomes stronger as you bring the wedge closer to your face. Look closely at the perfect yellow of the inside of the lemon.
Place the lemon wedge in your mouth and bite down.
Feel as the juice washes over your tongue, sour, but a little sweet at the same time. Again, exactly as you knew it would. Just like the perfect lemon would.
Notice the bitter, sweet, sour taste as the juice fills your mouth. Feel as you swallow the juice.
Hold that feeling as the scene fades around you and you return to where you are…
Audio Recording
For many, reading doesn’t have the same impact as hearing. There are many theories about why that might be the case, but the research (and debate) continues. Use this recording if you think that you might respond better by hearing the text.
Note: Due to varying levels of sensitivity, please use your best judgement about where you listen, particularly if you have previously been hypnotized by me.
- Good places to listen: while safe at home or on the bus.
- Not so safe places to listen: while driving or operating heavy machinery… Listen smart!
Afterward
Did your mouth water?
Most people find that simply by imagining that process, their body starts to react. Although you know there is no lemon, your subconscious mind prepares and takes action exactly the same way that it would if you were to actually bite down on a lemon slice.
It has been suggested that the earlier on in the story that you began to notice your mouth watering, the more “in touch” with your subconscious you probably are and the easier you will find it to enter a hypnotic trance.
Imagination
Imagination is one of two things required for hypnosis to work. If your mouth watered, you’ve got plenty!
Mind/Body Connection
Simply reading or hearing a few descriptive phrases, your mind is able to elicit a reaction from your body. Imagine what else your mind could make your body do.
How It Works
We React Differently
Some people visualize vividly, like they are seeing a photo or watching a video. But most of us just catch glimpses and our brain assembles enough so that we ‘know’ what we are seeing.
Don't Worry
If your mouth didn’t water, odds are good that you just visualize differently than most people. Odds are you can still be hypnotized with the correct techniques.
Indicator of Hypnotizability
Only two things are required for to be susceptible to hypnosis; a reasonable level of intelligence and a spark of imagination. Odds are good that if you are reading and understanding this page, you have plenty of intelligence. The Lemon Test verifies the other. There is a high correlation between your ability to “visualize” something and your ability to be hypnotized. For those few who didn’t react to reading the words, you may have such strong auditory tendancies that only by hearing the description will you react.