The Science of Hypnosis with David Spiegel

I love seeing Chucks growth in scientific understanding, as he gets more knowledgeable he gets better at asking profound questions

As someone who studied and taught chemistry, math and physics. This is the best format for teaching I’ve seen in a while. When students ask questions about something that is trivial to the teacher (like Chuck does) other students’ faces light up as it clicks in their mind. That plus the comedic timing, run off conversations and jokes creates some really engaging content. Love it! Great work

If hypnosis can alter our perception and behavior, do you think it could one day become a common tool in medicine, or are its risks and myths too great to overcome?

There was a part there where Gary started a question, was interrupted, and then just never got to ask it... wow that kind of thing really gets me mad!

I did self-hypnosis for agoraphobia. I tried normal therapy first, wasn't working, and she suggested hypnosis, but the religion I grew up with believed it "let in demons." I still lived at home, and if my mom knew I was getting hypnotized, she would have arranged an exorcism. Probably a big reason it still isn't mainstream: fundamentalist paranoia about the occult. Anyway, after leaving her church, I saw a YouTube video about self-hypnosis for agoraphobia. I don't believe in demons anymore, but I still went in as a total skeptic. However, it really did help. I can go out for walks, take the bus and train, and hold conversations that would have had me paralyzed with fear 10 years ago. Best of all, I returned to performing live music, my passion before I was struck by this. I joined a band and even did a solo, playing for thousands of people. I still get overwhelming anxiety when I know I need to make a phone call (I'm still working on that, video chats are easier for me) but leaving the house is no longer terrifying. It's awesome! I lost so many years of my life being so scared, I sometimes even got anxiety leaving the bedroom.

This is anecdotal, but my father was a pack a day smoker into his 30s. He went to a hypnotist to stop when he was 35. It was a split session, and he had a cigarette during the break. That was the last cigarette he smoked, and he'll turn 82 this year.

It was joy watching Neil's face. You can see the skepticism and yet, you also see the eagerness to learn.

Seeing Hypnosis talked in this scientifical way really has opend my eyes as to WHAT is hypnosis really

I’d like to see Neil try to get hypnotized.

I am not hypnotizable because I can't relax enough.