Post: #1

Anybody here had any experience with hypnosis?

I am seriously considering as a friend had a good experience giving up smoking with it and I am thinking of using it to see if I have any self limiting beliefs and help improve my confidence in social situations. Anybody tried it?

Post: #2

As far as AA goes I found a hypnosis audio recording that's supposed to help with that. Did it help? Uhhh, I'm honestly not sure I can say it did. Good thing I found it on BT rather than paying for it (I've already had a bad experience with paying for a PUA product that came with a "no questions asked money back guarantee", fortunately in that case my credit card company happily reversed the charge and the vendor in question seems to have eaten the chargeback). AA is not much of an issue for me any more but that had a lot more to do with my bootcamp than with some silly hypnosis recording.

Now I was also skeptical that hypnosis is even real. I think it is... I could definitely tell that I was an in altered state of consciousness... it may even work, to some modest extent... but it ain't a silver bullet.

Any particular limiting beliefs you're worried about?

Post: #3

(12-20-2008 10:19 PM)twigman Wrote:  Anybody here had any experience with hypnosis?

I am seriously considering as a friend had a good experience giving up smoking with it and I am thinking of using it to see if I have any self limiting beliefs and help improve my confidence in social situations. Anybody tried it?

I would recommend you just see a psychologist instead.

Post: #4

I am a psychologist... I do see psychologist colleagues, but they are very far away in approach from hypnotic practice. I suspect some of the stuff is so deep set, that talking about it won't help. I am very good at talking about it. I know I have some of these self-limiting moods and emotional 'kicks' (beliefs implies some kind of conscious "holding" of a belief). Its a bit much for a public board to go further into the specifics (thanks nevertheless Zorgon and Jmb).

If I have some kind of self limiting statements I could work on them with a Cognitive Behavioural approach, but its more like a mood of unworthiness that kind of drifts in and out. Its completely surprising when it might hit and lasts days.

Post: #5

Maybe hypnosis can also help speakeasy with his porn detox. I wonder...

Post: #6

I'm a bit skeptical of hypnosis. Seems to much of a quick fix.

Post: #7

Im shocked there hasnt been much feedback from members on hypnosis. I doubt anyone could make a lifestyle change after 1 hypnotherapy session it sounds retarded to even think that. Even olympic athletes use hypnosis and visualization regularly. Apparently the "best candidate" for hypnosis is a female aged 16-35 with an iq of 100+. If you have a vivid imagination and you day dream a lot you should be able to benefit from hypnosis. Read more Here .

Has anyone else on this forum been hypnotized 3+ times before? From what I have researched your supposed to get a CD of your hypnosis session and listen to it for every day for 1 month after your session then have a follow up session the following month and repeat until 3 sessions. Then you should have made the lifestyle change. Many hypnotherapist void money back guarantees if you dont complete 3 sessions and 90 days of listening to the CD.

Im not saying hypnosis works as I personally havent done it yet but a qualified hypnotists is supposed to qualify you first and let you know if your even an eligible candidate for hypnosis.

Post: #8

I have been attempted to hypnotize five or so times in my life (but without using the hypnotic drugs). It never worked. Was told that if you're skeptical or if you have any doubt it actually works, it won't work for you. Sounds like placebo to me.

Just listening for some bullshit for a month will do nothing to change your beliefs either unless you already accept them. People in Communist countries listened for propaganda for dozens of years, and for the vast majority of the population it didn't work at all.

Post: #9

Hypnosis is about inspiring someone to change using the right story either real or metaphorical.
You need to tell it in a way that they can really relate to it in order for it to sink in to their mind.

I've read a few books by Milton H Erikson. Here are two of my favorites.

My Voice Will Go with You: The Teaching Tales of Milton H. Erickson

Uncommon Therapy: The Psychiatric Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, M.D.

One technique I've learned is to give people small pieces of information and let them put together the puzzle in their mind.
If they feel like they figured it out themselves it's more persuasive then you telling them the answer outright. You just need to steer them
in the direction you want. It's kind of like guessing the ending of a movie.

Post: #10

(03-29-2012 04:43 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  Just listening for some bullshit for a month will do nothing to change your beliefs either unless you already accept them. People in Communist countries listened for propaganda for dozens of years, and for the vast majority of the population it didn't work at all.

It seemed to work well in Nazi Germany.

The big difference was the Nazi's actually improved the economy and lifestyle of the average German while communist countries went from one five year plan to the next with little to no improvement for the well being of the citizens.

Saying that, since I don't believe propaganda nor hypnosis, it wouldn't work on me.

Post: #11

I'm skeptical. But, I think it's good to stay aware of your limiting beliefs, and catch yourself being taken by them. You can even make notes on when they hit you.

That's a kind of Zen approach- you let the beliefs 'speak'.. give them an audience and hear them out on what they want. This allows you to recognize yourself as separate from them in a way, and might make it easier to individuate yourself from them.

Game is like hypnotizing girls. It reminds of this: