# Something i am wondering **URL:** \ **Category:** Alternative Medicine\ **Created:** [October 22, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892 "2017-10-22T16:41:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![batmanlover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@batmanlover](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/batmanlover)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/1 "2017-10-22T16:41:49Z")
Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/2 "2017-10-22T19:38:38Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? It’s pseudoscience. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/3 "2017-10-22T22:37:48Z")
Something I’m wondering, do you have Google ---
**Author:** ![batmanlover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@batmanlover](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/batmanlover)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/4 "2017-10-22T22:48:11Z")
Yes.I have google. ---
**Author:** ![advocatus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@advocatus](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/advocatus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/5 "2017-10-23T13:45:26Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? The two are not mutually exclusive. The placebo effect is actually a real thing. Feeling as if something is doing you some good is part of the treatment. Didn't you see "Adam Ruins Everything" last week? :) Seriously the only time self-treatment would be a bad idea is when you do that instead of seeing a real doctor. Don't mess around with your health. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev3/32/17_2.png) [@citizenschallengev3](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev3)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/6 "2017-10-24T01:57:50Z")
> Is self-hypnosis ... self-hypnosis, as distinctive from mediation and reaching a _zone_? How would that work? I mean I know about staring at a spot very long and weird things happen to my visual field. But you're talking about self-suggestion. Right? How would the process work? What are you trying to achieve? ---
**Author:** ![batmanlover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@batmanlover](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/batmanlover)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 2:17am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/7 "2017-10-24T02:17:40Z")
> Is self-hypnosis ... self-hypnosis, as distinctive from mediation and reaching a _zone_? How would that work? I mean I know about staring at a spot very long and weird things happen to my visual field. But you're talking about self-suggestion. Right? How would the process work? What are you trying to achieve? I was just thinking if self-hypnosis really works.Or if it is all hype.And if it does work does it make it a good alternative medicine? ---
**Author:** ![bigandrewm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@bigandrewm](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/bigandrewm)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/8 "2017-10-24T03:00:13Z")
> I was just thinking if self-hypnosis really works.Or if it is all hype.And if it does work does it make it a good alternative medicine? I am not sure what self-hypnosis is, honestly. Whatever it is though, if it works to do something beneficial, it would not be alternative medicine; it would be medicine. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/9 "2017-10-24T17:40:56Z")
> I was just thinking if self-hypnosis really works.Or if it is all hype.And if it does work does it make it a good alternative medicine? You can't regenerate a leg if that is what you are asking. It could help you stop smoking or something like that though. I've used it to get rid of headaches, but those would be headaches that are brought on by my own tenseness ---
**Author:** ![deros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@deros](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/deros)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/10 "2017-10-24T22:56:54Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? It’s pseudoscience. I agree with you Lois but is much easier to call it what it, BS. ---
**Author:** ![cuthbertj](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/cuthbertj/32/18_2.png) [@cuthbertj](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cuthbertj)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/11 "2017-10-25T17:17:30Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? It’s pseudoscience.Be careful, you're starting to sound like one of those cocksure right wingers. ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:51am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/12 "2017-10-26T10:51:26Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? It’s pseudoscience. I agree with you Lois but is much easier to call it what it, BS. Yes, that’s a good synonym for pseudoscience. ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:52am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/13 "2017-10-26T10:52:17Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? It’s pseudoscience.Be careful, you're starting to sound like one of those cocksure right wingers. I was offering my opinion. In fact there is no true definition of pseudoscience. There are claims that have not been shown to have empirical evidence to support them. i know of no scientific evidence that claims of the benefits of self-hypnosis are accurate. Do you know of any? I call such claims with no objective evidence to support them pseudoscience. They are at the very least claims without objective evidence. I put them in the same category as astrology. ---
**Author:** ![gertdeboer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/gertdeboer/32/1377_2.png) [@gertdeboer](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/gertdeboer)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2017, 12:15pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/14 "2017-10-29T12:15:14Z")
> Yes.I have google. Then why don't you use it? **[Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20136382)] [The Efficacy, Safety and Applications of Medical Hypnosis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4873672/)]** Just two examples. Hypnosis as presented by esoterics is humbug. But used based on scientific evidence it has its uses. But if you are really interested in it you must take care to distinguish the two. ---
**Author:** ![inbetween](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@inbetween](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/inbetween)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 12:36am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/15 "2017-11-01T00:36:55Z")
Michael Newton and Bryan Weiss (among others), both doctors, used it to clear some of their patients current problems which were rooted in early childhood traumas, fears etc. You have to first ask yourself what medical problem you have. Once you get that determined, you work to define the proper method you will use to fix it. Til then, you cannot just jump on something and ask if it’s would be a good candidate for this or for that. And as Lausten pointed out, Google will tell you all about it. ---
**Author:** ![write4u](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/write4u/32/23410_2.png) [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/16 "2017-11-06T00:59:36Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? Seems to me you are using these "disciplines" out of context. Medicine is a scientific discipline to treat physical diseases. Self-hypnosis is a psychological discipline to achieve a state of mental equilibrium. Each has their own area of effectiveness. > Self-hypnosis is used extensively in modern hypnotherapy. It can take the form of hypnosis carried out by means of a learned routine. When this practice is mastered, it can improve concentration, recall, enhance problem solving, alleviate headaches and even improve one's control of emotions. > Steps commonly used for self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis requires four distinct steps. 1.Motivation. Without proper motivation, an individual will find it very difficult to practice self-hypnosis 2.Relaxation: The individual must be thoroughly relaxed and must set aside time to perform this act. Additionally, distractions should be eliminated as full attention is needed. 3.Concentration: the individual needs to concentrate completely as progress is made each time the mind focuses on a single image. 4.Directing: This is an option used only when the individual wants to work on a specific goal. The individual must direct their concentration on visualizing the desired result. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-hypnosis ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 7:48am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/17 "2017-11-06T07:48:56Z")
> Is self-hypnosis a good form of alternative medicine?Or is it all the placebo effect? The two are not mutually exclusive. The placebo effect is actually a real thing. Feeling as if something is doing you some good is part of the treatment. Didn't you see "Adam Ruins Everything" last week? :) Seriously the only time self-treatment would be a bad idea is when you do that instead of seeing a real doctor. Don't mess around with your health. The problem is most people who try to treat the problem are doing it for the express purpose of avoiding a legitimate doctor. That’s where the danger lies in self-medication and pseudoscience. By the time they get real medical intervention it’s often too late. Lois ---
**Author:** ![jencampster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jencampster](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/jencampster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 12:32am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/something-i-am-wondering/5892/18 "2018-03-01T00:32:57Z")
Meditation, if considered a form of “self-hypnosis” in this regard, has a number of studies supporting its positive effects