I remember when I was in high school, we had a hypnotist come to our school and preform a show. He called members from the audience, got to go on stage and be hypnotized. Very comical, as the hypnotist got some of the students to do crazy things. I could never really understand how he could get people to do embarrassing things in front of large crowds. So my question is...does it really work, or is it all "suggested?"A short definition: Hypnosis typically involves an introduction to the procedure during which the subject is told that suggestions for imaginative experiences will be presented. The hypnotic induction is an extended initial suggestion for using one's imagination, and may contain further elaborations of the introduction. A hypnotic procedure is used to encourage and evaluate responses to suggestions. When using hypnosis, one person (the subject) is guided by another (the hypnotist) to respond to suggestions for changes in subjective experiencence, alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior. Persons can also learn self-hypnosis, which is the act of administering hypnotic procedures on one's own. If the subject responds to hypnotic suggestions, it is generally inferred that hypnosis has been induced.
I do not believe that one can be cured of all phobias just by being in a hypnotic state. Some information out there shows that to some extent, it really does work. But to the people it worked on, did they really have the phobia in the first place? Not only does it "remove" fear from one person, but it also is said to help quit smoking, reduce weight loss, and helps with "hysteria" and psychoanalysis.
According to Neuropsychology, "Neurological imaging techniques provide no evidence of a neurological pattern that can be equated with a "hypnotic trance". Changes in brain activity have been found in some studies of highly responsive hypnotic subjects. These changes vary depending upon the type of suggestions being given."
So, try it yourself. See what you believe..Are you open to suggestibility?
Hypnotize yourself at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnU2Ld1ttoE
- Brian Kopf
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Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine in high school (she was very intelligent; nearly at the top of our class) believed in hypnosis. She claimed she could hypnotize herself, and used it in a way in that she could get only a half-hour of sleep and feel like she really had eight hours. I was very skeptical of this and hesitant to try it; the website she sent me looked quite cheesy.
I like that you posted information about neurological scans as well as an explanation of hypnosis. I tried the link you posted, and while I wasn't in an unescapable trance, I did feel temporarily relaxed. I'm not sure if it was the background music or the hypotist's voice that did it. Very interesting, though.
In my States of Consciousness class, we had a hypnotist come to our class. I volunteered to be hypnotized for it and I'll admit, it was interesting. I got distracted by someone walking into the classroom but the guy was able to make me become confused about my name. Also at one point he made me not be able to open my eyes. I lost concentration from noise. I believe that if you think you can be hypnotized you can be. Also if you want to be hypnotized. If you fight it, or you don't believe in it, then it will not happen.
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