Why can hypnosis not be performed against someone's will?

Hypnosis relies heavily on an individual's ability to enter a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, which means that a person must be willing to engage in the process. This willingness is crucial because hypnosis often involves relaxation techniques and mental imagery, which require active participation and a degree of trust from the subject. If a person is not willing or receptive to the suggestions made by the hypnotist, the process is unlikely to be effective.

In essence, the cooperative nature of hypnosis is what prevents it from being performed against someone's will. Individuals must voluntarily allow themselves to be influenced and guided into a hypnotic state; without this consent and active involvement, the process fails to work. This intrinsic requirement underscores the importance of personal agency in the practice of hypnosis.