Ultra Depth sits at the far end of the hypnotic depth chart. Its teachers describe a level of trance below even the Esdaile state, in which the body is said to rest and repair itself at an extraordinary rate. It has a devoted following and a striking origin story. It also makes claims that deserve a careful look.
The origin story
According to the organisation that teaches it, Ultra Depth was discovered in the mid-1960s by Walter A. Sichort, an American hypnotist and magician. Sichort had been taking an assistant into the Esdaile state and, beyond that, into a rigid “catatonic” state as part of demonstrations. On one occasion she went somewhere else entirely: a state he did not recognise.
Sichort spent a long time working out how to reproduce it, found the wording that led there, and anchored it to a single cue word for quick re-entry. He then guided a colleague into the same state, giving her the cue word “Elephant,” which became well known in Ultra Depth circles.
The deepest level came to be called the Sichort state. After Sichort, the work was continued and extended by his student James Ramey, who teaches it today. “Ultra Depth” is a registered trademark, and the full process is taught only in its certified courses.
The Ultra Depth ladder
In the Ultra Depth model, the levels run:
- Somnambulism
- The Esdaile state
- The catatonic state
- The Sichort state
Later teaching has added further levels described as “Zed states.”
How a session works, in outline
The detailed scripts are proprietary, but the published descriptions show the general shape:
- Conditioning over several sessions. The client is first trained to reach somnambulism reliably, then the Esdaile state, and so on. Depth is built, not reached in one sitting.
- Cue words. Each level is anchored so the client can return to it quickly.
- Minimal suggestion. Conventional hypnotherapy relies on suggestions. Ultra Depth emphasises the state itself, with the idea that the mind and body do their own work once there.
What its teachers claim
Ultra Depth sources state that:
- The Sichort state is the most profound level of consciousness known
- Healing occurs six to ten times faster than in normal deep sleep
- Fifteen minutes in the state feels like a five-hour nap
- Clients gain profound mental clarity and insight
What the evidence shows
Here the picture is very different.
- There is no published, peer-reviewed research on the Sichort state. The claims above come from the organisation’s own material.
- The healing-rate figures have no cited source. No study is offered showing how healing speed was measured or compared.
- The state has not been shown to be physiologically distinct from other forms of deep relaxation or hypnosis.
None of this means clients are not having a powerful experience. Deep, prolonged relaxation is pleasant and restorative, and many people speak highly of it. But “people find it deeply restful” is a much smaller claim than “the body heals ten times faster,” and only the first is supported.
If you are considering it
- Go for the experience, not the medical claims.
- Do not use it instead of medical treatment for any illness or injury.
- Ask what training the practitioner has, both in Ultra Depth and in healthcare.
- Expect a course of sessions, since the method depends on conditioning.
- Check the cautions in our post on hypnosis safety, particularly if you have a history of dissociation, psychosis or trauma.
The bottom line
Ultra Depth is an intriguing branch of the deep-trance tradition with a loyal community. Its experiences may well be real. Its health claims are, so far, unproven.
Next in the series: The Simpson Protocol Explained: Content-Free Hypnosis in the Deepest States
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Ultra Depth® is a registered trademark of its owner; this site is not affiliated with it.