Hypnosis

[Gary]

Keep in mind, this might be a little far out!  Oh well...

A couple months ago, I was driving home from a friends house in El Cajon.  I was passing by a mobile home park where one of the mobile homes right next to the street had caught fire, killing the elderly female living inside.  Well as I slowly drove by and looked, I imagined as hard as I could that I could see something there on a portion of the remaining porch, like a shadow, or SOMETHING.  There was nothing there, I just really tried to imagine it.  I then started wondering about the people that DO see things, or have seen things.  Are they more "in tune" with some other sense, that other people may not be so "in tune" with?  I started thinking, and Hypnosis came to mind.   For the next couple weeks after this, I spent time trying to relate hypnosis to the paranormal, and I didn't get far with it.  Then, just this week, I decided not to relate or compare them, but to see if I could combine them, or use them together.

From what I understand, not everyone can be susceptible to being hypnotized.  Now, when hypnosis does work, it's used for all sorts of things.  People use it to quit smoking, or break other habits.  It's used to allow people to reach deep into their subconscious to recall hidden memories.  It's used in comedy shows to get people to do all sorts of whacky things.   

So Here is my question.  Can someone be hypnotized, and then told, or instructed to put themselves in a "sixth sense" state of mind?  You would of course have to be careful to not have the person pretend or imagine anything, but to be more aware of anything that could be present.   This could potentially be impossible, but but I know little about hypnosis.  I would totally be down for this experiment if anyone knows a hypnotist!      

Okay folks, I needed to get it off my chest.

[PPI Jason]

That's a great idea Gary. I've always wondered about hypnotism. My sister knew a guy that would hypnotize people to get them to quit smoking. He tried it on my mom but it didn't really work.

I would love to work with a hypnotist just to see what it is like to by hypnotized. Maybe make a video of the experience to compare the experience observed by others with what I remember. But it would be great to then take it to the next step as you said, Gary, and try a suggestion by the hypnotist that the subject be able to "see dead people." But if I were that subject I would only ask that we then have a session very soon thereafter to quickly turn it off, if it works 

Then for the finale we can have Karl hypnotized and make it so that he will grab his crotch and shout "Cha-moan-ya"!! each time he sees Zak Bagans on television or hears his name. Then we could monitor him to see how long the effects of the hypnosis session last throughout his life. We should also video those occurances as well for documentation purposes in the name of SCIENCE 

But in all seriousness, very cool idea Gary. Any ideas on how to approach it realistically?

[PPI Tracy]

Wow Gary.  That IS an interesting subject to ponder.  This is what I think.  I love skating.  In fact, I used to figure skate as a kid and into my teens.  I practiced 6 days a week, hours and hours at a time.  I was good but not great.  I could do spins, jumps, sow cows, axles, but never could I do a double axle.  Try as I might, I just couldn't do it.  (now, mind you, this was on roller skates, not ice...)  anyway, my point being is that I didn't have the skill.  Period.  Now, if someone hypnotized me and then I went out and tried to do it, I think I would have broken something.  Probably my neck and other vital parts of the human bone structure.  My other pointless point being is that if you don't possess a skill, no amount of hypnosis is going to give you that skill.  In other words, hypnosis would have never made me Dorothy Hammill.

[ljiljanac]

Nice idea, Gary!!       Hypnosis would be a great experiment!!!  I know for a fact that I could never be hyponitized.  Anyone here believe or know that they would be susceptible to it and, therefore, be the test subject?

[Gary]

Anyone here believe or know that they would be susceptible to it and, therefore, be the test subject?

I'm pretty sure that I would be able to be hypnotized.  I am open to the experience, and find it interesting so I doubt there would be any problem.  I would jump at the opportunity to partake in this experiment. 

Where to start with this, I'm not sure, but perhaps sending some e-mails to a few specialists asking some of these questions?  Who knows, maybe we could spark some interest in someone who would love the partake in testing this also. 

[PPI Tracy]

All joking aside, I think that the ability to be hypnotized is real, but the "want" or "openness" on the part of the person who is being hypnotized needs to be there.  So does a huge level of trust.  It seems like it would have to be a team effort between both parties.  I don't think someone could be hypnotized against their will.  It would be interesting to see if you could open a part of the pathways in the brain that may have been closed, blocked or just undiscovered, if you will, that might allow you to tap into a six sense, so to speak.  I think if you were open to the experience and actually found someone that you trusted, it would definitely make for a great experiment.  So....know any good hypnotists?  I think that the same reason some people can be hypnotized and others cannot is the same reason that some people see ghosts and others can't or don't.  Somewhere in your consciousness, I would assume that you have to be open to it on some level. I think your brain shuts out what it thinks isn't possible when it comes to things that are not tangible.  Just my two cents....hoping it makes sense. Finding it hard to articulate today.  Perhaps I need that cup o' joe now.

[ljiljanac]

I agree.  I also believe that one has to be open to it.  I believe that one also has to be able to tune out their surroundings with their other senses (sound, smell) in order to really focus and be hypnotized.  For many people (i.e. me), that's hard to do.  Acquiring a hypnotist would be pretty easy (Let your fingers do the walking.....Yellow Pages!).  Acquiring a legitimate, certified hypnotist would be cost some money, I'm sure (unless he/she would be willing to go pro bono for the experience).  I'm also thinking that one or both of the following would have to happen for the experiment to work and be scientifically sound:

1)  The experiment would have to take place at a location where a haunting has been established by scientific evidence.  Otherwise, how would we know that anything the hypnotized person is seeing of sensing is for real or the result of a suggestion put in that person's mind before hypnosis. 

2)  The experiment would have to take place during an investigation where the person being hypnotized is not told why he/she is being hypnotized or where he/she is going ahead of time.  Then the person would have to be brought to the location blindfolded, spun around a few times until they can't stand up on their own....oops!  digressing!    .  (haha!  that sounds like fun!)  This would prevent that person from accidentally finding out information, researching ahead of time, or recalling their own knowledge of the place. 

Keep in mind that both of those require a hypnotist to be invited to an actual investigation and to a location that belongs to someone else.  Assuming the hypnotist is not a klutz or a thief, would that be appropriate?

Any other ideas or thoughts? 

[PPI Tracy]

That evil diabolical plan just might work.  Mwahhahhahaa.   

Seriously...I think that is an awesome idea.  My brain cells are just tingly!! 

[Gary]

Yeah, I may search out a few hypnotists and just ask some basic questioning.  I like the idea of seeing if we could get some pro bono work, that would be great!!!

[Gary]

I would LOVE to be the test subject for this.  I don't think we would neccessarily have to find an unaware person for the experiment.  Do we?

[PPI Debra]

Does anyone know if Standford Research Institute did any hypnosis studies with the remove viewing program?

I am not amenable to hypnosis. I cannot be hypnotized. Psychiatrists and hypnotists have tried.

[PPI Tim]

Hummm....Get hypnotized to make you a better investigator........I think you would have to careful in your suggestions. It could become a distraction. Suggest the wrong things under hypnosis and you find your self coming up with the wrong conculsions.
Maybe if you suggested the person not be to jumpy or frightened would be a good start. A suggestion that the person be more logical would be good too.

[Damian]

I wonder if a hypnotic suggestion for a person to be more logical would actually work.  If the subject's mind doesn't know how to think logically prior to hypnosis, would they be receptive to that suggestion?  How would their mind know what being more logical means to their own thought process.  So if the ability is not already within them, would hypnosis be able to imbue that ability?

Interesting stuff!  That's why I love these forums... fuel for my curiousities! 

[Gary]

I think there is stuff in our subconscious that we aren't even aware of.  I can't say that 100%, because I've never had an opportunity to partake... but people that receive hypnotism after claiming to be abducted by UFO's, sometimes these people will bring about memories (while under hypnosis) from their encounter, which can sometimes appear pretty damn terrifying.  They didn't seem to "know" about this, or at least not many details until the hypnotizing starts.  Has anyone claiming to see a ghost ever been hypnotized I wonder??

I could be the last person that should be talking about this, but we humans will never fully understand our own Brain function... we might get close, or make some interesting discoveries, but it's just as much of a mystery as the edge of our universe!

And I'm sure a professional has methods for making suggestions as to not "taint" the persons experience while under hypnosis.

[PPI Tim]

Like I said, Suggestions would be tricky. And you are right about the wording and comprehension of the victim..I mean a volunteer.

[Damian]

I've never been hypnotized but have wanted to give it a try.  I'd like to see how it would feel, and learn if I'm open to hypnotic suggestions.

[PPI Karl]

I've volunteered a couple of times to be on stage for a hypnosis show, and I've always been weeded out from the get-go.  They say I'm not hypnotically suggestible.  Still, every time I finish watching an episode of Hoarders on A&E, I'm off like a shot cleaning something in my house, like it's a subliminal command.  How the hell does that happen?

[Damian]

You're not alone on that one Karl.  I'm very inspired to clean and de-cluter after watching Horders.  That show is fascinating and disturbing all at once.  Mental illness is a crazy thing...no pun intended there.

[PPI Tracy]

I think there is stuff in our subconscious that we aren't even aware of. 

Gary.....That's why they call it SUBconscious.  That was Jack Handey worthy, buddy.

(Dude....I'm just bustin your chops.  I'm kidding with you!)   

[PPI Tracy]

I've volunteered a couple of times to be on stage for a hypnosis show, and I've always been weeded out from the get-go.  They say I'm not hypnotically suggestible.  Still, every time I finish watching an episode of Hoarders on A&E, I'm off like a shot cleaning something in my house, like it's a subliminal command.  How the hell does that happen?

Because like me, just watching that show shoots lightning bolts of panic throughout your entire nervous system, forcing you to pick up crumbs lodged far under the stove (while chanting:  This house is clean, this house is clean!!!)

[PPI Karl]

I've volunteered a couple of times to be on stage for a hypnosis show, and I've always been weeded out from the get-go.  They say I'm not hypnotically suggestible.  Still, every time I finish watching an episode of Hoarders on A&E, I'm off like a shot cleaning something in my house, like it's a subliminal command.  How the hell does that happen?

Because like me, just watching that show shoots lightning bolts of panic throughout your entire nervous system, forcing you to pick up crumbs lodged far under the stove (while chanting:  This house is clean, this house is clean!!!)

It's true!!!!  Five minutes later, my hands are unconsciously around the neck of a bleach bottle!  Do you think A&E will go down in lawsuits over a show about hoarding that gives viewers O.C.D.?

[PPI Tracy]

I've volunteered a couple of times to be on stage for a hypnosis show, and I've always been weeded out from the get-go.  They say I'm not hypnotically suggestible.  Still, every time I finish watching an episode of Hoarders on A&E, I'm off like a shot cleaning something in my house, like it's a subliminal command.  How the hell does that happen?

Because like me, just watching that show shoots lightning bolts of panic throughout your entire nervous system, forcing you to pick up crumbs lodged far under the stove (while chanting:  This house is clean, this house is clean!!!)

It's true!!!!  Five minutes later, my hands are unconsciously around the neck of a bleach bottle!  Do you think A&E will go down in lawsuits over a show about hoarding that gives viewers O.C.D.?

  TOTALLY Karl!!   

[PPI Tim]

Pardon me guys. I got to go wash my hands. I'm on a public computer in the library and every once in awhile the keys are....
Sticky.

[Damian]

EEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW   

[PPI Tracy]

Pardon me guys. I got to go wash my hands. I'm on a public computer in the library and every once in awhile the keys are....
Sticky.

Ugh....I think I just threw up a little...

[PPI Jason]

Come to think of it, my keys are sticky too.

and they smell like......like chocolate.

And sitting right next to my keyboard are about seven empty Hershey's candy wrappers. They are located directly next to, and approximately 5 inches away from, a small orange plastic cup that, based on my training and experience, I recognize as belonging to my 8 year old son.

And come to think of it, I just saw same said child walking down the hallway earlier today, at approximately 1754 hours, in a northbound direction away from the vicinity of the office. I remember a distinct smell of what I recognize, based on my training and experience as an investigator, to be a smell similar to that of chocolate emanating from around his person. I noticed that after he walked away I did not smell the chocolate smell as distinctly.

I'm still working on this, but I'm a trained and highly capable investigator. Rest assured, I will figure this mystery out.

STAY TUNED!!!!

[Damian]

Jason, I would bust out your recorder and try to capture some EVP's of this illusive sticky-fingered 8-year old!   

[PPI Tracy]

At least your child left the evidence out in the open.  Mine?  Ha...yeah right.  When I cleaned out our fireplace, I found Hershey's Kisses wrappers.....a LOT of them.  Apparently, she has an addiction issue.  Anyway...I asked her "did you not think I was going to find them"?  She just shrugged and said, "sorry Mommy....I just love kisses".  Then she promptly kissed me on the cheek.  (I'm such a sucker)

Let us know how your investigation is coming along, Inspector Dad.

[Gary]

Jason... I have an idea to help catch the perp!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0lJmsyCSvQ&NR=1

[PPI Debra]

Thanks for the heads up....
I have no idea how to do that!
I've deleted it until until I figure out how.

Does it make you feel better knowing that the 2 names I mention are dead? And the other agencies are dissolved, except the church?