First of all, I'm a trained hypnotist that's working on Honeykid at the moment:
SEXY
Second, I have never been hypnotized either by a professional therapist or an entertainer. I do know someone who was hynotized by an entertainer, though. He said the guy made him do stupid things. He was with a group of people all being hypnotized -- not all of them were able to be hypnotized. The majority weren't, but the guy I know was. Damn him for being so mentally soft.
Third, I would like to be hypnotized. I would like to be professionally hypnotized, lying on a couch in a therapist's office, kinda like what Nausicaa is talking about. I used to have a book about how to hypnotize yourself and others. It's basically just relaxing your entire body very deeply -- get as comfortable as you can -- and then you have to have somebody make statements to you over and over again. You could tape record these statements and play them back if you need to.
I'm doubtful of hypnosis, but I do suspect that there is something to it. It is probably most powerful if you're under the influence of a hypnotic drug. I think the brain has to be chemically right for it to be hypnotized and I don't think it's easy just to do it the simple way through a watch clock and meditation techniques. But some people might be easier because their minds are closest to the right state it needs to be in for this. They say there is a state of mind that the brain needs to achieve.
As for the "we're are all hypnotized" statement that Deadite made... I think that's true. Watch TV when you're stoned or something -- commercials and things all look very hypnotizing. Determinedly so. Being stoned can sort of "break the trance" or even put you in one. At least that's how I feel. Anyway, there's nothing really bad about this, either -- it is what it is. Hypnotize people and they'll work with you -- buy your things, love you, etc.
There are some free hypnosis audio downloads you can get at
http://freehypnosistreatment.com/
I admit I've downloaded some of them and used them. They don't make me feel like a different person or anything, but I did enjoy using them. I just don't know if they all truly worked. Give it a try.