You are getting very sleepy – very sleepy. Or at least you will be if you participate in Raven the Psychic Hypnotist’s show on Friday.

The performance, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union as part of Family Weekend.

Raven performed at Family Weekend last year and the great response is what prompted the Family Weekend Planning Committee to invite him back this year, said Samantha Sexton, entertainment co-chairwoman.

“He was enjoyed by all and the people on stage said they couldn’t believe what was happening to them.”

Sexton said approximately 700 people attended last year’s show and as many are expected this year.

“Raven was really great and we’re looking forward to seeing him again.”

According to Raven’s Web site, his show is unique because it is two shows in one.

“The first part of the program demonstrates the hidden powers of the human mind. Raven will tell people what they are thinking, move objects with a look and even project his thoughts into the audience.”

The second part of the program is a journey into the subconscious mind.

A disclaimer on the site said Raven claims to have no supernatural powers.

Raven uses volunteers from the audience on stage to participate in his hypnosis show.

“Utilizing the participants’ imagination and their innate creativity they are featured in hilarious and amazing situations that make them the stars of the show,” the Web site said.

The Iowa State Department of Psychology has no self-proclaimed authorities in hypnosis and the faculty declined to comment.

Raven has performed for several corporations, comedy clubs and universities.

At his Web site, Roy Hunter, certified hypnosis instructor, defines hypnosis as being guided mediation or a trance state.

Hunter said hypnosis has many benefits.

“Hypnosis can be helpful in overcoming undesired habits, managing stress, enhancing job performance, improving at sports, increasing self-motivation and self-confidence, reducing anxieties, and with appropriate medical referral and/or supervision, hypnosis can often be helpful in reducing pain and/or in helping cancer patients or patients of other major diseases.”

Tony Padgett of In-Tranz Productions gives the differences between clinical hypnosis and stage hypnosis at his stage hypnosis FAQ online.

“Stage hypnosis is where a hypnotist chooses volunteers from the audience, puts the volunteers into a trance using hypnosis, and then has them perform certain silly, funny, or supposedly amazing suggestions,” Padgett said.

Padgett said stage hypnosis is not harmful to the participants.

“When performed correctly, stage hypnosis is basically having fun with the subconscious mind without any serious detrimental side effects. It’s all performed for entertainment and with the welfare of the volunteers in mind.”

According to Padgett’s FAQ, participants will go into the hypnotic state for a number of reasons such as the awe of the stage hypnotist, the desire to follow commands, the technique itself, the desire to escape from reality, and the fact that others are going into the trance as well.