Asexuality & Hypnosis - Can Humans Change Sexual Orientation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the possibility of humans changing their sexual orientation to asexuality through hypnosis or other psychological methods. It examines the nature of sexual attraction, the validity of hypnosis, and potential mechanisms for altering sexual desire.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether hypnosis can lead heterosexual individuals to become asexual, suggesting that sexual attraction is influenced by both hormones and hard-wired chemicals in the brain.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about hypnosis, questioning its legitimacy and whether it can truly affect deep-rooted aspects of sexuality.
  • A different viewpoint proposes that while the causes of asexuality are unclear, it might be possible to induce asexuality through psychological tricks, such as evoking disgust towards sexual attraction.
  • There is a query about whether a male hypnotized to feel female would then be attracted to males, indicating a curiosity about the fluidity of sexual orientation under hypnosis.
  • One participant affirms the reality of hypnosis, providing links to articles and research that suggest hypnosis can lead to observable changes in brain function and subjective experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness and legitimacy of hypnosis in altering sexual orientation. There is no consensus on whether hypnosis can lead to asexuality or how it might work.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of sexual attraction and the mechanisms of hypnosis, which remain unresolved. The validity of hypnosis as a psychological tool is also contested.

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Can male or female heterosexual humans become asexual using hypnosis or someother psychological method? And by asexual, i mean losing any kind of sexual attraction or desire. As I understand sexual attraction is not only hormons, but hard-wired chemicals in our minds. Do you know any past or current research about the subject?
 
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Sexuality is deep-rooted in our brains, one of the most basic functions. I don't know how hypnosis could affect it. In fact, isn't hypnosis a myth?
 
I know asexuals exist, but do not know the cause of it. My bet is that its possible. One can make people believe they are pigs(?), and make them see blue colors as red, so why not asexual? Maybe a trick would be needed such as evoking disgust when seeing other humans.

And i wonder when a male is hypnotised to feel female, if he will be attracted to males.
 
So hypnotism is real?
 
It works in a certain way yes. Heres a NY times story:

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/9600/hypnosis0ep.jpg
http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing48.html

And here is research about it:

CONCLUSIONS: Among highly hypnotizable subjects, observed changes in subjective experience achieved during hypnosis were reflected by changes in brain function similar to those that occur in perception. These findings support the claim that hypnosis is a psychological state with distinct neural correlates and is not just the result of adopting a role.

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/157/8/1279
 
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