Contrary to popular opinion, research findings on the hypnotic state and procedures suggest that in the hypnotic state people are not turned into helpless automatons. Neither is hypnosis a truth serum. It is not capable of contacting the unconscious and uncovering lost memories. By endorsing and promoting these popular stereotypes of hypnosis, hypnotists may have unwittingly exposed themselves to accusations of abuse allegedly committed by gaining control of and victimizing their subjects while they were unaware of what was happening to them or were unable to resist. Also by emphasizing the unique properties of hypnosis in accessing hidden memories, they may have encouraged the creation of pseudo memories. In challenging misconceptions and false claims about hypnosis, instead of describing hypnosis as a hypnotic trance or altered state of awareness, academic researchers, clinicians, and other practitioners should adopt concepts and terminology that relate hypnotic features to everyday behavior and experience, such as attention, concentration, and imagination. In the area of police work, hypnosis should be used with caution. Better interview strategies might involve cognitive aids, meditation, context reinstatement, and eye closure. 29 references