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StevieTNZ
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I wonder if anyone knew of any credible evidence that exists in hypnosis doing what it is branded to do.
What do you think it's branded to do?StevieTNZ said:I wonder if anyone knew of any credible evidence that exists in hypnosis doing what it is branded to do.
Pythagorean said:There's two major versions of hypnosis. The original definition is that you can turn somebody into a mindless zombie that's open to suggestion and aren't consciously aware or able to resists suggestions of the hypnotizer. This is clearly false and has never been demonstrate under appropriate experimental settings.
The other view that emerged recently is more of an attempt at apologetics to the original view. It requires a willing participant that can, at any time, resist suggestions of the hypnotizer and is more likened to "assisted meditation." It's really just somebody closing their eyes and letting their imagination be guided by a therapist. There's no conclusive evidence that it's any more helpful than standard therapy. It's often used with the intent of retrieving buried memories but stands just as much chance of artificially creating new memories.
So overall, no, not that reliable.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200910/the-trouble-hypnosisUnfortunately, attempts to find brainwave patterns that distinguish hypnosis from ordinary waking consciousness have not panned out. The rare physiological sign of hypnosis spotted in the laboratory has failed to prove the existence of a hypnotic state. When Stanford psychiatrist David Spiegel, M.D., told hypnotized subjects to focus their attention elsewhere while receiving mild electric shocks, they showed a decreased physiological response to pain. But the same effect could be elicited from subjects not undergoing hypnotic induction--just by getting them to focus their attention elsewhere. "Every time we thought there was a physiological indicator it hasn't held up," concedes Thurman Mott, M.D., editor of the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis.
THE FAILURE TO SNIFF OUT OBJECTIVE EVidence of a trance state has its effect. "It's nonsensical to argue that hypnosis involves some sort of special state when we can't find it no matter how long we look," says Robert Baker, Ph.D., author of They Call It Hypnosis and professor emeritus at the University of Kentucky, "Eventually you stop looking. It's like looking for ether." Baker has been practicing hypnosis for more than 20 years and has published original research in the field. "After doing all this work," he says, "it has become obvious to me, as it has to many people, that there is no such thing as an altered state of consciousness known as hypnosis."
Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration and relaxation, in which an individual's mind is more open to suggestion. It involves the use of various techniques and suggestions to help a person enter this relaxed state and make positive changes in their behavior or thoughts.
Yes, there is credible evidence that hypnosis can be effective in treating a variety of conditions such as anxiety, pain, and addiction. Numerous studies have shown that hypnosis can produce real physiological changes in the brain and body, and can be an effective tool in combination with traditional medical treatments.
Hypnosis is considered a safe technique when practiced by a trained professional. However, like any form of therapy, it may not be suitable for everyone and some people may experience temporary side effects such as headache, dizziness, or anxiety. It is important to consult with a qualified hypnotherapist and disclose any pre-existing conditions before undergoing hypnosis.
While the ability to be hypnotized may vary from person to person, most individuals can enter a hypnotic state with the guidance of a trained professional. Factors such as willingness, openness, and the ability to focus can all play a role in how easily someone can be hypnotized.
No, hypnosis is not a form of mind control. The individual undergoing hypnosis always retains control and can reject any suggestions that they do not agree with or feel uncomfortable with. Hypnosis is a collaborative process between the hypnotherapist and the individual, and the person being hypnotized always has the final say in the process.