Hypnotic susceptibility in kavadi carriers in Singapore

A group of fourteen Hindu devotees, who participated in a religious ceremony involving piercing of tongue and body by metal skewers, and the carrying of 'kavadis' were examined to ascertain their hypnotisability, and to compare their experiences during hypnosis and a trance. They were found to have a low mean score of 3.85 on the Revised Stanford Profile Scales of Hypnotic Susceptibility. Those who have higher scores had experiences during the religious ritual which appeared to be similar to those in the hypnotic state.