Hypnosis is empirically well studied in its biological foundations and its therapeutic effectiveness. It is a recognised healing method in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. With the use of imaging techniques, it can be clearly shown that brain areas responsible for attention, visual imagination, critical evaluation and self-awareness change in their activity through hypnosis in such a way that the state of hypnotic trance differs markedly from both sleep and waking consciousness. The effects of hypnosis on the immune system as well as on affects have been confirmed. Basically, a fundamental distinction must be made between “therapeutic hypnosis”, hypnosis for therapeutic purposes, and “show hypnosis”, such as is shown in various entertainment performances. Therapeutic hypnosis” is in turn divided into different forms, namely “hypnotic psychotherapy”, “hypnotherapy” and “hypnosis”.