hypnotherapy - does it work?

[pontifex]

I remember awhile back a local radio talk show host did hypnotherapy to stop smoking and I guess it worked. I've since heard ads for the place he went to.

Does hypnotherapy work? Has anyone done it? If so, what for?

 

[Jeff7]

Yes, it works.

Incidentally, Placebo® Tablets are also super effective.

 

[lxskllr]

I've heard anecdotally that it works. I'm a little skeptical, and suspect it may be placebo effect, but whatever... As long as the end result is what you're looking for, the path doesn't matter so much.

 

[Babbles]

I have my doubts, but I would be totally willing to try it from a legit practitioner. To parrot the above poster, even if it is a placebo effect I wouldn't care as long as it worked.

 

[totalnoob]

I saw a hypnotist at a comedy club and am absolutely certain it is a real phenomenon. A good hypnotist can make you do anything (at least short term)..

 

[Jeff7]

I saw a hypnotist at a comedy club and am absolutely certain it is a real phenomenon. A good hypnotist can make you do anything (at least short term)..

I'd challenge any "hypnotist" to make me do anything, even something simple like standing up from a chair. Guess what's going to happen: I'm going to remain sitting, and likely become bored.

The only way you can be hypnotized is if you want to put on a show and play along. It's basically like doing your own Whose Line Is It Anyway skit, except it's called "hypnotism." That way you get to act funny or stupid in public, but you have an excuse: "I was hypnotized, so it wasn't really me doing that!"

 

[Sadaiyappan]

My parents want me to go to hypnotherapy. They tried real therapy but the therapists didn't help much. I'll post what I think about it after I go in for the first session.

 

[kranky]

I know the ads you're talking about. He certainly has no shortage of testimonials from satisfied customers. I guess I would say that even if it doesn't work for everyone, it seems to work for many. Wanting it to work probably is a factor.

 

[destrekor]

I know the ads you're talking about. He certainly has no shortage of testimonials from satisfied customers. I guess I would say that even if it doesn't work for everyone, it seems to work for many. Wanting it to work probably is a factor.

Wanting it to work, or hell.. curiosity to see if it can work, might allow a hypnotist to tap into the power of suggestion and make it super easy for your mind to follow along.

Our brains are pretty feeble even though they can store a shit ton of information. The placebo effect is a strong effect that if I could, I'd invest a great deal into researching it. I am very curious how falsehoods can ripple through our body as if they were perfectly real.

I suspect hypnotism is nothing more than a different route to the same effect. But I cannot prove this until I went, as I am curious to see if it can happen to me. Seriously, wouldn't mind trying it and would be open minded.

 

[IronWing]

Sounds like a good business to start. Buy my hypnotherapy DVD! Stop smoking! Make more money! Get laid! Send three, just three, low low payments of just $19.99 today!

 

[The Stig]

I got nothing from it at a residential rehab... acupuncture on the other hand

 

[Whisper]

To the best of my knowledge, it hasn't yet been shown to have a significant effect after controlling for a client's/participant's desire to want to affect a change. Some of its components, such as the relaxation aspect, do indeed induce physiological changes, though (in much the same way that deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, etc. do).

 

[thomsbrain]

To the best of my knowledge, it hasn't yet been shown to have a significant effect after controlling for a client's/participant's desire to want to affect a change. Some of its components, such as the relaxation aspect, do indeed induce physiological changes, though (in much the same way that deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, etc. do).

This.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I can't remember if embedded gif's are allowed, if not I'll delete.

 

[Hacp]

It does work if you set realistic goals and try hard to achieve your goals. What it does is it boosts your confidence and willpower. You can't just ask the psychologist to have you lose 10 pounds. You need to ask the guy to give you a realistic goal, like I won't eat more than 1700 calories a day. Then, you need to try hard not to eat more than 1700 and you will find that you will have an easier time not eating.