Have you ever been hypnotized? What about hypnotists? Are they real?

debodun said:
Factors that can make it difficult to be hypnotized:
  • Analytical Mindset:
    Individuals who tend to analyze everything, question the process, or try to "figure it out" may find it harder to relax into the hypnotic state.
  • Lack of Trust:
    A lack of trust in the hypnotist or the process can prevent someone from fully surrendering to the experience.
  • Pre-existing Mental Health Conditions:
    Conditions like schizophrenia, psychosis, or certain personality disorders can make it difficult to establish the necessary rapport or focus.
  • Unrealistic Expectations:
    Misconceptions about hypnosis, such as believing it involves mind control or amnesia, can create resistance.
  • Substance Use:
Alcohol or drug use can impair cognitive function and make it harder to enter a hypnotic state.

  • Fear of Losing Control:
    Some individuals fear that hypnosis will make them vulnerable or subject to manipulation.
  • Lack of Suggestibility:
    Some people may naturally be less susceptible to suggestions, which is a key component of hypnosis.
  • Hypnotist's Skill:
    The hypnotist's experience, communication style, and ability to build rapport can also influence the outcome.
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The hypnotist assured me that he would not ask me to do anything I wouldn't do if awake. He also said I could choose to share or not.
 

Quite a few years ago my husband and I were invited to a company function. They invited a hypnotist. He called on volunteers to participate. We never believed much in it but we were quite surprised to see his results on people we knew. It was very impressive. It changed my mind on hypnosis.
 
At the end of a typical Yoga class the last pose is called Shavasana (Corpse Pose). Typically the Yoga teacher will tell the class to lay on their backs, relaxing, letting go of the whole body. Then for several minutes the teacher will verbally guide the class members through a mental "tour" of their body, continuing to suggest letting go, and yield to deeper relaxation. The end result is a very calm mind state, of course totally dependent on the individual's voluntary participation.
 

feywon said:
Those are not simple yes/no questions as the answers involve the general workings and the individual variances in human brains and the mind/body connection.

The American advertising industry has demonstrated repeatedly how suggestible (not to mention gullible) some people are. Some can actually be fairly quickly hypnotized, but most stage and therapeutic hypnotists agree that it is not likely they could MAKE a subject do something against their basic nature-- unless it is combined with full on brainwashing, radical behavior modification techniques. (Think Manchurian Candidate)

That said, meditation is a form of hypnosis, best case scenario a form of conscientious, well informed self-hypnosis. Worst case scenario the state is induced and guided by someone else, not always with the best interests of the subjects in mind.

When a meditator makes affirmations they are basically giving themselves post-hypnotic suggestions they expect/hope will help them in their daily lives. How effective those suggestions are depend on a variety of things including how carefully they selected the words used, the consistency with which they make the affirmations while their brain is at the level of producing alpha brainwaves.
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Well said! I met a great guy who knew what he was doing and it was very helpful for me to stop smoking and deal with stress. As with anyone else in the market place, buyer beware as there are some unqualified scammers out there. My guy was also a psychologist so he was highly trained and ethical. So sorry I lost track of him.
 
JustDave said:
A hypnotist entertainer came to my small town in Montana and put on a show. He could hypnotize a whole group of 20 people. He called for volunteers from the audience, and I I knew at least half of them, some respected members of the community. The hypnotist was very commanding. There was no soft spoken "Look into my eyes bla bla bla." He would shout at the group to sleep and some of my friends were actually falling off their chairs on the stage and hitting the floor with a thump. Then some of them did silly things when they were told. I remember one woman doing a thing that was sillier than chicken clucking, and very sexual.

I'm still skeptical, but how could people that I knew be part of such a scam? Well that was my question years ago. Today, I just recognize that even my friends can be deceitful. No harm done though. It was just a show, and I enjoyed it. But still...., my friends?
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When I was younger I went to a hypnotist show which was similar to what you just mentioned. About 20 audience members were picked and picked fast. Iā€™ve been assured that nobody will do anything while hypnotized that they wouldnā€™t do if they werenā€™t but donā€™t believe that..These people did the most embarrassing things and didnā€™t didnā€™t remember any of it.
Some people can easily be hypnotized while others canā€™t..
 
I've never been hypnotized, but I believe it's usually real. Of course, there are scam artists in any field, especially that type of thing, but hypnosis is used by many medical practitioners, and it's hard to believe they are all scamming people.

I think you need a certain type of personality to be able to be hypnotized. I am too cynical and "independent" to be led down a garden path by a hypnotist. But it does seem to work for a lot of people.
 
I have not ever been hypnotised or been t o an entertainment hypnosis event.

However my husband did give up smoking with hypnotherapy - and went from smoking at least a packet a day and trying unsuccessfully to give up umpteen times - to literally never smoking again
Not sure how anyone could see that as a scam.

For people who are using it to achieve something they want to do - get over fear of flying or dentists or give up smoking - it can be very effective.

Certainly was for him.
 
The American Psychological Association and American Medical Association have recognized hypnotherapy as a valid procedure since 1958, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended it as a treatment for chronic pain since 1995.
 
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