Hypnosis? Does it work? How well?

[AAP]

I see a lot of ads for hypnosis in various magazines. It is suppose to help people quit smoking, lose weight, get better focused in school, get over fears of flying, swimiming, etc...

The ads do not make outrageous claims, but rather seem to be about positive mental reenforcement. Like making you mentally stronger to withstand the pressures of giving up smoking as opposed to instantly curing you of the habit.

My question is how well does hypnosis work? Or is it just a complete sham?

 

[dimitrios]

I know someone that used this to stop smoking, It worked and he has not smoked for about 20 years now

 

[AAP]

So in fact.... it does work?

The reason I ask is because I have a friend who is having problems concentrating in school. She is very bright, but just mentally lazy and unmotivated. Perhaps this could help her? How many sessions are the norm?

 

[WODIN]

It works. I've seen it work in individual settings and in groups, the thing I'm told is that the person or persons have to have a high level of trust in others.

I've had several people try and hypnotize me without success.

 

[AAP]

How many sessions would be the norm? This girl is not a dumb individual, it is just that she is mentally lazy to go out and pursue the extra education she needs. She is quite bright and retains everything that she learns in class, but she has horrible study habits that go back to high school where she just coasted through the education system. She is just unmotivated to really push the education of her learning experience in college.

 

[dimitrios]

The guy I know that went there to stop smoking only went once

 

[AAP]

What are the limits to what it can accomplish?

 

[rushx79]

my friends dad saw one to quit smoking and drinking. that was something like 8 years ago and he still doesnt smoke or drink. not everyone can be hypnotised but i think most people can.

 

[bunnymt]

Can someone please hypnotize me? I have always wanted to know what it is that dwells deep within my mind. Just don't make me do anything silly.


bunny

 

[Test boy]

Can someone please hypnotize me? I have always wanted to know what it is that dwells deep within my mind. Just don't make me do anything silly.


bunny

I'd offer but you sound way to logical to be a .....bunny.

 

[StoneColdGold]

Absolutely hypnosis works.

Most people, however, picture hypnosis as this sleep-like state, where you are completely at the whim of the hypnotist, who could make you bark like a dog if he so chose.

Although someone who goes "under" easily could certainly achieve such a state, most people's experience of being hypnotized is analogous to the state you are in when engrossed in a good book. at a certain point, you stop seeing words on a page, and begin seeing images and scenes in your head. your concious mind has receded, and thus you are seeing with your "minds eye."