Hypnosis and meditation are two distinct practices that involve changing the mindset in different ways.
Hypnosis can be defined as a state of focused attention in which people can be more responsive to suggestion. On the other hand, meditation can be defined as the use of a technique to train attention and awareness with the purpose of achieving mental clarity, calm, and stability.
If hypnosis is used for the purpose of achieving mental clarity and calm, there is a clear overlap between the two forms of mind-training. However, the path to achieving this change is different.
Hypnosis often directly focuses on relief of physical discomfort and disease, enhancement of academic or athletic performance, or gaining of insight.
In contrast, meditation largely focuses on being in the moment.
It’s worth noting that even though meditation was introduced to the western world at a later date than hypnosis, there are many more medical studies of meditation, perhaps because it does not carry the misconception-based baggage of hypnosis.
The studies of meditation show the power of the mind-body connection. Subjects who have meditated for two months show a change in their physical brain structure as seen on magnetic resonance brain scans.
I hope this helps!