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Hey guys! Recently, I've been watching and reading about mentalism, hypnosis and inductions. I know a little mentalism, having had a few months obsessing over it, but hypnosis and inductions are another matter altogether. I saw a 'hypnotist' live, and he did a pretty standard thing to me - hands stuck together, feet stuck to floor. However, the floor was a rapid induction - I got on the stage, he shook my hand and I was stuck! What's more, I was not faking it to save face, and I really couldn't move. Or didn't think I could, rather. However, he never put me in a 'trance' or 'sleep' or... Whatever it is. He did do that to other people through the night, though.

I'm looking for reasoning into why this works - not for giveaways, routines or scripts, but the psychology or physiology behind it. Can anyone recommend me some bedtime reading for this? I'm a graduate chemist, and will be studying medicine so science isn't a scary thing for me to deal with, but this is something that I've not been able to put my finger on... Psychology is something I have always been sceptical of, and searching on these forums has not really cleared anything up for me. I have been watching the 'Hypnosis Without Trance' videos by James Tripp, and they are very interesting, but... Not QUITE what I'm after. Is there any hard grounding in science regarding inductions?

Anyways, hope you can help me!

Check out Reality is Plastic - ftopic26902.php?hilit=Reality%20Is%20Plastic - plenty of additional info there which might help.

Thanks very much. Looks to be a very highly regarded text! I'll invest when I'm paid

Anthony and Kev have released several pieces that takes the theory of hypnosis much further, so also check out the other work they do.

I would also suggest a book called "They Call It Hypnosis" by Robert Baker. It basically explains in posh and erudite language that "hypnosis" is a load of old cobblers. And that actually is really all you have to know.

Haha posh and erudite language? Sounds like a charming read but sounds good, I'll check them all out!

If you want to do the job properly - "Hartland's Medical and Dental Hypnosis" by Heap and Aravind.

Barry

I think our original poster may find this thread to be of interest:
ftopic16474.php

Good lord, that's an interesting thread. So many opinions! I guess I won't be getting my hard science answer...

I'll do my reading like a good boy though I'd like to be able to perform some of this stuff one day, but I don't really understand any of it. I'll do my reading

Last night I had a guy stuck to the floor within a minute of walking onto the stage. He also forgot his name. I never hypnotised him. I did hypnotise a panel of people later in the show, and they all did similar bizarre things. Yet I am with Mark; hypnosis is a load of cobblers. I don't believe in it, and I certainly don't believe in a trance state. I found that when I stopped believing my shows got way better.

If you are interested in going down the theory side, read Reality is Plastic, and then get Ripped Apart, a CD by Anthony Jacquin and Kev Sheldrake, in which they discuss various theories, and their Automatic Imagination theory. It will either give you what you are looking for, or what you are looking for is not out there.

Reality is Plastic certainly looks like an interesting read. I'm waiting on Naked Mentalism and 13 Steps, so my bank balance is a little short at the moment! But when it has been replenished, I'll be getting Reality is Plastic.

paultheoneyoulove wrote:Reality is Plastic certainly looks like an interesting read. I'm waiting on Naked Mentalism and 13 Steps, so my bank balance is a little short at the moment! But when it has been replenished, I'll be getting Reality is Plastic.

Naked mentalism and 13 steps do not deal with hypnosis.
But they will give you a very good grounding in the techniques of mentalism.

Yeah, I was already aware of that. I had to make a call as to which I would enjoy studying more, and mentalism came out on top. Naked Mentalism has very good reviews, and 13 Steps is... Well, I borrowed a friends for a week and needless to say, it would take me a lifetime to learn. Comprehensive doesn't really begin to cover it hypnotism is more of a passing interest I guess, something I'd like to know about but not necessarily perform a lot. Reality is Plastic seems good, and They Call It Hypnosis could be some good bedtime reading. I'll need a new bookshelf soon...

13 steps is a book you will grow to appreciate even if it's value isn't obvious immediately

I'm really looking forward to getting to grips with it. I wish I had a magician friend nearby to practise with (someone who likely knows secrets as it is). Unfortunately, I'm not gifted in that respect as I've just finished uni and I'm back in the fens! Boo.