system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: How does hypnotism work?
gpt
A trained professional(hopefully a psychologist, not a performer), relaxes you and puts you in a "hypnotic state", which is really just a super comfy mood where you're "open to suggestion".

It is 100% about their words(touches and actions can help put someone into a hypnotic state, but it's generally considered bad practice because it's too intimate).  They choose words and ask things in a way where you feel compelled to answer/do what they tell you.

Even when hypnotized, you won't do something you would never do.  For example, if you told someone to do something outside of their sexual preference(the opposite/same sex, stick something in their butt, etc.) they would totally refuse, regardless of being hypnotized.

Hypnosis done in shows is about 10% hypnosis, 30% placebo, 40% social pressure, and 20% the skill of the hypnotist(these numbers are all guesstimates).

Hypnosis done in psychotherapy can have great benefits, but it entirely depends on the patient and the practitioner.