Originally posted by PhysicsRocks88
100% NOT possible. And I would know because I am well trained in psychiatry and neuroscience.
Hypnosis is possible - bt it's not what you (or anyone else) thinks it is.
Oh REALLY? Hmm that is quite interesting. So are you a licensed to practice? Which medical school did you attend? What did you specialize in? Neuropsych?
I'm curious because there is a place for hynotherapy, though there are a lot of fakes out there. I would caution however, that it's not so simple as to wave a watch in front of someone for a few minutes until they fall asleep.
Let me see if I can provide DX with an "alternative" point of view...
So please, bear with me and my "limited" schooling while I attempt to beguile you all with my "vodoo"
Hypnosis is the power of suggestion. And it is just that. There are several factors involved. First, the subject must be a willing participant. Those guys on oprah are just performance artists. Secondly, not everyone is suceptible to hypnosis. It takes a certain mind to be able to be hypnotized. I've had it attempted on my by a professional and I could not let go. Also, there is the trust factor. So if the comfort level is not there, it will not be successful. that being said, what happens is that you go into a deeply relaxed state where you are not actually asleep.This is where your brain wave patterns change into what's known as an "alpha" state of relaxation, and you become more suceptible to suggestion. I don't know if meditation is a very good analogy. You're just basically relaxed. When you reach that relaxed state your subconscious begins to surface. Now in this state you are suceptable to certain suggestions, however bearing in mind that there is a certain personality type it takes to hynotize, they are likely just as vunerable in a fully conscious state, if those suggestions are phrased properly. And the mind will hold basic instincts above all else, if you gave someone a suggestion to kill themselves, they probably would not, unless they had an extremely weak mind or low IQ.
And that concludes today's "sermon"...
Anything else you'd like to add, "DOCTOR"?
EDIT: here's a valid link to some hynotherapy info. it's IMHO a more sound description as I found the link of of a psychotherapy site:
http://www.homestead.com/selfhelpsolutions/hypnosis.html