Hypnosis absolutely works, but not on everyone, maybe only few, and not anything like people think. I've seen it done, copied it, got the same results on two different women. Maybe I'll try my wife tonight! I could go on for awhile, but one test almost knocked me over, literally.

Hypnotized my gf, copied the stage guy's initial technique, told her she was stiff as a board, like a statue. Tipped her over and fuck me, barely caught her.

Now if you think that's bullshit, I'd invite you to replicate it any way you choose. But here's the rub, your subject most hold perfectly still while held at a 45° angle to the floor. No muscle strain, no quivering, LOL, as if anyone can do that consciously.

There was other amusing tricks. Told her Star Wars was playing on the wall. She happily watched for a couple of minutes, "So, what's going on now?" She described a scene I had totally forgotten. I should mention this was in 1990, we had only seen it in theaters or a rare viewing on broadcast TV. None of us could afford a VCR. :)

Or the time I took her back before she was born. OHHH NO! I was trying some Bridey Murphy shit, different times. She got confused looking, mumbled a little, suddenly spouted, "SNOO!" Startled hell out of me! We had no clue WTF that was. Later her sister related a story about a snow storm when she was 2 and that's what she called it.

Plenty of other anecdotes you may write off, but try the statue trick. See how it goes.

EDIT: Back to the post above, hypnotism works exactly as OP describes. That is the exact way to get someone in a suggestible trance.

How do you think cult leaders get people to follow them? We're talking about a lot of people who are very smart, accomplished and with degrees.