Ever Been Hypnotized?

[letterdavidman]

I just recently finished a college psychology course wherein, for a project that represented the majority of our overall grade in the class, I had to research hypnosis and (here's the clincher) actually attempt (with proper supervision, of course) to hypnotize someone. And, guess what? It (apparently) seemed to work! And, since I've successfully completed the project, I've had certain people in my life asking me if I'd try to hypnotize them. I'm thinking--you know not what you ask!

Anyway, it just got me wondering... anyone here ever been hypnotized before? If so, what was the experience like? If you were hypnotized to lose weight, stop smoking, etc., how successful (or not) was it?

Me, I've never actually been hypnotized. Looks interesting, though.

 

[grinningghost]

Not me, but 2 people I know did it to stop smoking - it worked for both.

I watched a couple hypnotists live, hypnotizing entire groups. Not sure if I totally buy into that it was real, but it sure was hysterical.

 

[poohandwendy]

No, but my DH has been (smoking cessation). It did not work for him at the time, but he quit later on his own.

I am not sure what I think of hypnotism.

 

[shortbun]

I've been hypnotized both in a party situation and privately. I'm a good subject as I went under when someone else was being hypnotized. Both times, I was aware of what I was doing. I've never been sent into a sleep state. I'm considering doing it again for a type of therapy and relaxation.

 

[EdiePA]

in a clinical situation during college. One of the professors at the dental school was working with hypnosis and a friend put me in touch with her. She worked with me to stop a problem that I had had since childhood, "reverse swallowing", where the force of my tongue was against my teeth rather than the roof of my mouth. It must have worked because that was 25 years ago and my teeth haven't shifted.

She also taught me self-hypnosis for studying and I got my first 4.0 that semester. For my friend, she used hypnosis for his impacted wisdom teeth removal -- no anesthetic at all! Sixty Minutes came and taped the procedure, but never used it.

Interesting stuff.

Edie

 

[MushyMushy]

I did once for weight loss! The experience was amazing. I went to one of those seminar type things and only one other person showed up for it. The psychiatrist or psychologist -- whatever he was -- made it very intimate and personal for the two of us and spent a little extra time with us. I was very skeptical at first, thinking I wouldn't be able to go under, but before I knew it, I felt like I was floating on air. It just felt good to me, very relaxing and peaceful. He gave us tapes for self-hypnosis to follow up on our treatment, but I didn't stick with it. As long as I continued to use the tapes every night, I was losing weight, but after I quit, that was it.

 

[MelindaKiah]

I was hypnotized at a bar about 6 years ago. I went there all cocky, saying I was going to go up on stage and be the person who proved this guy was full of it. Well, I went up on stage alright..... I definitely was hypnotized. I wasn't scared at all to be onstage after I was put under (I have extreme fear of things like that). I was very aware of what was going on...I remember it all to this day....but I did things that I definitely would never do in public! The hypnotist was well known for being X-Rated if you know what I mean! I have a videotape of my "performance". We keep it as far away from the kids as possible. There isn't enough money in the world to pay for the therapy sessions they'd need! I had a lot of fun and was very relaxed and felt very rested after I was brought out of it. I went to see him a few times after that as well, at other bars, but never went back onstage. I decided to enjoy other people's performances instead. He did a lot of shows for $5/person in small bars in Canada and now he's become quite a success....

http://www.anthonycools.com/home.htm

 

[GeorgeG]

I've never been hypnotized, but studied it for some time and has some success with it. It's a lot easier than you might think.

Most people go through some form of self-hypnosis on a regular basis. A hypnotist has no magical powers and merely helps facilitate what is basically self-hypnosis. It can be a powerful tool when used properly. While hypnotizing someone is pretty easy, so is misuse. One should never venture into areas outside their field of expertise, such as suggesting dieting for weight loss without proper nutritional guidance.