h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

anyone know the answer to this if you do could you let me know but also tell me how to snap some one out of it thanx

I've got images of someone sat there with you stuck in a hypnotic trance.

From what I remember there is nothing mystical about a hypnotic state - everyone goes through a hypnotic stage briefly as they nod off and wake up.

You could probably learn a lot about it from a book on self-hypnosis. If you are UK then you should probably find that the libraries are well stocked up with self-hypnosis books.

There's no consensus on hypnosis - some people think it's a special state and some think it's a load of bollerx.

I was hypnotised once, in a bid to lose some weight (yes, really!). It didn't work, but the therapist did a trick to prove I was hypnotised, by making my hand rise up and float (there was balloon imagery involved). It worked, but all the while I felt I could stop it if I wanted to. I don't understand these people who do all sorts of strange things on stage when they've been hypnotised. My experience didn't feel at all like a loss of control, it was more like I was allowing the therapist to control my actions.

Deb

Oh yes, that's another good point - you are aware of what's going on around you when you're in a hypnotic state. IIRC you can't get 'stuck' in a trance; because of the awareness you can just become active and will soon come out of the trance.

I don't believe in hypnosis as I have never had any compelling evidence to suggest it's real. I'm intrigued by it though and in a properly controlled evironment (i.e not a stage show) I'd be more than willing to have it done to me.

Anytime you like Mr D, so long as neither of us are drunk.

Deborah is bang on the money - most hypnotic trances do involve you having the feeling of choice and of chosing to do what the hypnotist suggests.

Unfortunately there are no agreed definitions of what constitutes a trance. Most 'deep trance phenomenon' can also be experienced when you are concentrating on something (eg, not hearing a question addressed to you - negative auditory halucination - deep trance phenomenon), or when you are distracted (eg not finding your keys when they were in your handbag all the time - negative visual halucination).

Because there is no agreed definition of what constitutes hypnosis, statements such as "I cannot be hypnotised" are meaningless.

My personal belief is that everyone can be encouraged to alter their state of mind by someone else, (how else would we laugh at jokes or be made angry by the news?). The only question is how skilled and knowledgeable is the person attempting the hypnosis.

Ben

I'm assuming that hypnosis + drunkeness = bad then...

Stage hypnosis works on the principal of consent to some extent . people will join in because they feel they aren't really responsible for their actions.
However clinical hypnosis is a very powerful tool,for helping with phobic disorders,pain reduction etc;
As with all things that alter conciousness i would proceed with caution and only then with people you absolutely trust.

Well, I don't drive, have sex or operate machinery when drunk. Just a personal ethical standard, really, Mr D.

Ben

"i would proceed with caution and only then with people you absolutely trust"

Well that's self-hypnosis out in my case then.

<>

Not even with a trusted partner? Each to their own...
As for the operate machinery one: near where Mrs. D and I used to live there was a big drill thing on an open building site (random wasteland that somebody was building a house on), when drunk I was always sooo tempted to have a go on it. But I didn't, there are some things that even a common sense defective like me won't do.

Well... it depends on what you mean by 'sex' and it depends on what you mean by 'drunk' of course!

B

Nice and passionate sex while a bit tipsy with a loving partner would be infinitely preferrable to messy shag while completely bladdered with someone you barely know.

Definitely up for hypnosis if the chance arises, as I said I don't beleive in it but I'm interested enough to give it a go.

hi mr dreadful.it's possible to hypnotise yourself,and is probably the safest way.there are self inductions scripts on the net if you are interested(google self hypnosis induction scripts),if you've ever meditated,hypnosis can be a doddle compared to it