Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy - Anyone tried it?

[bigtone]

I've been looking into this as a result of a radio discussion on it some time ago, and have thought about giving it a go. Has anyone got any experience of anything like this, for medical or psychological reasons?

What about self-hypnosis - does listening to a CD really work? Would work out cheaper than going to see someone I imagine...

Or is it all just suggestive crap?!

Cheers, Tony

[Tuna]

What are you trying to do with it? Stop smoking? Loose weight? Send me your money? Achieve sucess?

All jokes aside, it can work for some things for some people. CDs and tapes are great for motivating you, but I've not seen anyone really achieve anything dramatic with them.

I suggest you send me your money, and I'll help you some more.

[bigtone]

Tuna said:

What are you trying to do with it? Stop smoking? Loose weight? Send me your money? Achieve sucess? All jokes aside, it can work for some things for some people. CDs and tapes are great for motivating you, but I've not seen anyone really achieve anything dramatic with them. I suggest you send me your money, and I'll help you some more.

I may be a cabbage, but green doesn't suit me

I've heard of people using it to stop smoking, which i'd be interested in, plus a few other niggly little issues - nothing specific.

I came across a couple of web sites offering MP3's to download and burn to CD that have audio triggers for certain things, so is it the power of suggestion?

Hmmm

[thebluemonkey]

If nobody is talking on the mp3's then I assume they are using binaural beats to cause entrainment. It is pretty well documented and there are loads or resources that can be found on the web explaining some more about it. The basic idea though is that your brain syncs up with the beats and this causes you to go into certain states. All you need to start is a bit of knowledge from the net and a freeware stereo signal generator.

[Raify]

Look into the eyes, in the eyes. Not around the eyes, but in the eyes...

[Tuna]

bigtone said:

I came across a couple of web sites offering MP3's to download and burn to CD that have audio triggers for certain things, so is it the power of suggestion? Hmmm

It is the power of suggestion, and trained professionals can achieve impressive results. Ignore the ones who claim to be able to visit past lives and very unscientific nonsense like that.

If you've ever got completely lost in a film to the point where you forget you're in the cinema, then you've experienced something equivalent to a light trance. Some people are more able to 'go with it' than others, and for the ones that can, a skilled hypnotist can really help with things like smoking and weight loss. Though the effect is not usually very long term, it can be good enough to give you a chance to learn better lifestyle habits (such as not picking up that first cig' in the morning).

For things like phobias, hypnosis can definately work as a means of letting your brain go through the things that scare you in a safe and controlled manner.

Ultimately though, it's not voodoo magic, so no-one can wave a magic wand and change you (not even into a cabbage). If you want to make some sort of change, you have to be willing to put the effort in and commit yourself to something that (at some level) you don't want to do. If you want to give up smoking but really love to smoke it can help, but you will still need to show real willpower and resolve. The hypnotherapist cannot magically prevent you from smoking, but they can help you to prevent yourself.

Edited to add.. I'm very sceptical about brainwave audio sync hogwash claims - if it had that strong effect, Tony Blair would be using it Sucessful hypnosis depends on the hypnotist being able to guide you - it's like a story telling skill and certainly doesn't rely on audio trickery.

>> Edited by Tuna on Tuesday 14th June 17:21

[bigtone]

thebluemonkey said:

If nobody is talking on the mp3's then I assume they are using binaural beats to cause entrainment.

Hmm, i've not heard of that, interesting stuff, and a load of information out there on it too - thanks!

Smoking isn't the major one I guess (i've cut down to a point now where I think that i've got the willpower to stop completely), but being honest, i'm looking to improve confidence...

I'll keep digging - suggestions most welcome!

[love machine]

I dabbled with it at uni, read a load of books, it is an enormously powerful medium. It's success is pretty much wholly down to the hypnotherapist and his confidence. Not any old harry can do it.

I just made a few people believe that they were on fire, etc, etc.....

It's an amazing thing.

[nervous]

ive done it, to great and amazing success. the power of this as a for of therapy is awesome, quite turned my life around. i recommend you try it. drop me a line if you want to chat about it

[nervous]

no, but i could wire you jaw shut if youd like. truly the gift that keeps on giving

hiya brother

[munky]

A friend of mine tried it to stop smoking, and hasn't smoked ever since. Not sure if it made a difference that her own mum was the hypnotherapist if you smoke again you're disinherited, disinherited... now wake up!