Seth-Deborah Roth: Subliminal Hypnosis on the Mythbusters!

This is an excellent Discovery Channel video. The hypnotist is Seth-Deborah Roth, CRNA, who is an Institute member and an expert in medical hypnotherapy.

It brings up several interesting concepts. First, does the effectiveness of hypnotherapy require a trance state. In the video three people are tested for suggestibility using a type of EEG machine. The belief that trance is equal to reduced brain wave frequency is proposed by biofeedback. technician. Second, they presuppose that there is a relationship between suggestibility and trance state. While there may be a correlation at times, this is not a requirement. Hypnosis is a process of bypassing resistance. This may or may not happen in a trance state.

Of course, the TV program unfortunately full of the typical media lingo. The announcer frequently uses the term "going under" to signify a trance state. Most reputable hypnotists avoid that phrase, which is one that too often misleads and scares members of the public.

Nevertheless, I did appreciate that they "busted" the concept that a person can be forced to do something that is suggested while in a hypnotically-induced trance.

posted by Tim Brunson, PhD