Hypnotism..

[friskybunny]

How does Hypnosis work? Is there a scientifical or medical reason why we can be hypnotised and do things we have no control over and cause our brain to forget things. And can someone be hypnotised without their knowledge?

[johnlambert]

I've got a DipH in Psychotherapy,
basically we never forget things, evertything is locked away in our memories, we only forget how to remember them, hypnotherapists speak to a part of the mind that helps us to unloke the memory.
No-one can be hypnotised without their knowledge or consent

[friskybunny]

Interesting answer johnlambert but how can an hypnotist make someone for example act like a dog or make them think a chair is too hot to sit on? What are they doing to the brain to make them think something that is not reality?

[johnlambert]

Sorry, I forgot to answer your 1st question, how does hypnosis work?
no-one knows enough to give a 100% answer, but i studied here

http://www.n-shap-ericksonian.co.uk/
they might be able to give you a better answer than I can
PS ask for Ray, he's the head honcho there, or he was when I studied there
good luck

[johnlambert]

It's how your brain sees things, on tours with the Army in Bosnia+ Kosovo I did some shows (for local charities) and I did the usual stage hypnosis stuff. I managed to get about 10 people in a deep enough trance (I started with about 40-50) and got them to, perhaps eat a lemon or an onion thinking it was an orange or apple. After the show when I spoke to thwe guys they al said they knew what they were doing but, as I told then it was an apple/orange they belived me. I think it was because as soldiers they were conditioned to carry out commands, and as I was commanding them to do things they were doing them. Armed Forces, Policemen/women, Doctors, nurses and people who work for the common good tend to make the best hypnotic subjects

[4getmenot]

It works like this ((((((((((( Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around the eyes, look into my eyes. [click] You're under! ))))))))))))) you will now go to your bank account and take out all your money and transfer it into 4getmenots account.

[ELVIS68]

LMFAO @ Rambo Mckenna

[johnlambert]

glad you find it amusing elvis, that's very mature to laugh when someone is giving an honest answer to a serious question, very mature

[cascarelli]

Shouldn't that be Lambo Mckenna, Elvis

Oops, sorry, that was immature of me!

[Dollie]

Hello John - Like you, I'm a psychotherapist and also a qualified practitioner of clinical hypnosis. You are right in what you say - exactly. No-one can be hypnotised against their will. It is basically no more than very deep state relaxation and a good hypnotherapist will always teach their patients to do self-hypnosis. The reason that people do outrageous things when they take orders from a stage hypnotist is because they are (within their subconscious mind) already geared up to 'perform' in front of their friends. If they wanted to stop then they certainly have the ability to do so. They are likely supressed exhibitionists and will be totally aware of what they are doing during a performance and afterwards.
Hope this answers your questions friskybunny, although John had really answered them correctly first.
Doll x

[ELVIS68]

Not only does it get your back up when strangers call you mate...now it`s deemed immature to laugh at one of your answers

Perhaps I should retort to sending pizzas round your house and threatening you down the phone....very mature!

[stokeace]

my mate must be in a permanent state of hypnosis he still owes me �50.00 from xmas eve lol

[filthiestfis]

4getmenot you didnt leave your bank details with me. How can I drop the money into your account?

[HarrietParks]

Johnlambert...I have always know that some people are more susceptible to hypnosis than others. I have been hypnotised and am a nurse...How interesting
Dollie..I am a reserved quiet individual and would never want to 'act' out on a stage but was hypnotised at one of these shows albeit as an audience member. Maybe that's it..I was in the audience and not actually on the stage...again very interesting!
friskybunny..Thanks for your thought provoking topic...well it was on my part!..lol

[netibiza]

I'm sure I answered this yesteday, where has my innocent and decent answer gone ?

[Octavius]

http://www.howstuffworks.com/hypnosis.htm

[netibiza]

Thanks for that Octavious when I was hypnotised I was aware all through it, and now it seems that that is correct.

[suffragette]

Interesting answers. It seems that hypnotism is nothing more than an illusion by collusion between hypnotist and subject.

[kwicky]

I'm sure there is more to this subject than mentioned above. For instance when under hypnosis why does a person not feel pain when a sharp needle is inserted into the skin?

[johnlambert]

mind over matter kwicky

[kwicky]

Lambert that may be the case but it would still involve the blocking of nerve impulses to the brain which is a physical event.