I've just seen hypnosis and I'm a bit scared..lol. Is this real or an act, because I don't get how someone can mess up someone's mind like that?

An awful lot has been written on hypnotism. You could even find a lot by doing an internet search. You'll just have to research this yourself and make up your own mind.

I remember seeing a stage hypnotist about 17 years ago at the University of Illnois Student Union. He had been college entertainer of the year and was very good. When he suggested to one subject that it was getting very hot in the room, I saw the subject's skin redden and become covered with perspiration. That's when I first thought, "hey, maybe there really was something to this hypnotism stuff."

Although there are claims that hypnosis doesn't exist, in my experience it is very real. The majority (more than half) of subjects on stage on my shows have complete amnesia for what went on before on a two hour program.

That isn't down social compliance as suggested by some.

I would suggest anyone seriouly interested in this read "They Call It Hypnosis" by Robert Baker...from Prometheus books... The thing is...we can't really say it isn't social compliance because we can't REALLY read the "subjects" mind and know if he is actually "playing along with a good thing" or really telling the truth!

And contrary to popular belief, lay persons can be quite skilled at convincing others, including professionals that they were "really under and can't remember a thing!" Interesting quandry, don't you think?

Either way, it is GREAT entertainment!

In my opinion hypnosis is very real.
I would suggest reading dr bernhiem's
"A Treatise on Suggestive Theraputics."
It's an excellent book in which you will find everything you need regarding hypnosis.
After a couple of weeks studying this book I was able to hypnotise my girlfriend.

To those who doubt...

Read everything you can find on the subject and then come to your own conclusions.

The topic of hypnosis can be very subjective. Some people say there is no such thing as hypnosis, while others say everything is hypnosis.

Take it easy,

Socrates

'Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens' -Jimi Hendrix

Thanks everybody. Any suggestions on specific books and stuff that teach it?:-)

Loads of books that teach it.

One you will definitely like though is Monsters and Magic Sticks (Theres no such thing as hypnosis) by Steven Heller. You can get it on Amazon.

Howard

The Science of Hypnosis.
But I forget who it's by. I will get back to you with a list of good hypnosis books when I get home.

Having been on both ends of many hypnosis sessions, I can tell you it's very real, to me anyway.

Adam Wolfe.

Science of Hypnosis by Alexander Cannon.

It is available to read on-line, with a few others. Best site on the web for information on hypnosis.

http://www.hypno1.co.uk

Howard

I was on stage with a hypnotist twice.....it was all an act for me. Maybe because the audience was a little loud. I was SOOOOOO relaxed until the audience started to talk. During hypnotism does the hypnotee(lol) know what they are doing, but do it anyway even if it is embarassing? Twice I danced in front of an audience, and to tell you the truth I would never do that just for the fun of it in front of hundreds of people!!! By the way, I'm not a very good dancer either lol. Anyway I believe in hypnotism, but like hypnotists say, some people just can't be hypnotised. (those are me dancing lol)

I've been hypnotised twice. I say it's real. I too, could remember everything I did, and I also knew what I was doing at the time. I just didn't care. You are so relaxed, that you simply don't care. If anyone from Canada has heard of Anthony Cools, you can't say it's not real, when you see people do the stuff he makes them do. He's sort of the 'x-rated' hypnotist (it's hilarious, but maybe a little offensive for the light-hearted). BTW, I never got hypnotised by him!

There will always be argument about the reality of hypnosis. There's so many myths it isn't funny. The myths about how a person is "supposed" to feel and behave are downright funny to us practicing the art.

Truth be told, only a very very light induction is needed to put on a hilarious hypnosis show.

A good hypnotist *will not* bother trying to prove anything to his/her audience. Frankly, most skeptics will disbelieve no matter how hard you try, so it's a waste of energy, IMHO.

The facts are that hypnosis is very safe, you don't "lose" your mind at any time (in fact, you become much more creative) and you most certainly can't get stuck in trance.

I, myself, have had doubts over the years about the legitimacy of it, only to come time-and-time again to the belief that it's real.

"Hypnotism is like electricity. Both exist, whether you believe in them or not".

Blair

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