Is Hypnosis Fake? What the Science Really Says – BSP (Ep 294)

Filed under: The Brain Software Podcast

Is hypnosis real — or just modern snake oil? In this episode, Mike and Chris dismantle the biggest misconceptions about hypnosis and reveal the science, history, and real-world results behind it.

What You’ll Learn: 

  • How hypnosis actually works (and why it’s not mind control)
  • Why some people misunderstand hypnosis — and what science actually says
  • The truth behind stage hypnosis, name amnesia, and “plants/stooges” myths
  • Hypnosis for everyday problems: phobia cures, allergy removal, pain control, and more
  • The Apex Problem: why people deny their own hypnotic success

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Episode Summary: 

In this episode of the Brain Software Podcast, Mike Mandel and Chris Thompson tackle one of the most persistent questions in the hypnosis world: Is hypnosis real, or is it just modern snake oil? This episode confronts public skepticism directly, examining why so many people think hypnosis is fake, staged, or unscientific. 

They explain how real hypnosis works and why stage volunteers experience powerful phenomena like name amnesia. Mike explains why he’s never used stooges in his shows — even offering a $5,000 challenge to anyone who could prove otherwise.

The episode also highlights the vast scientific support behind hypnosis, including recognition from several medical associations, and modern neuroscience research. Mike and Chris share real-world success stories—phobia cures, allergy elimination, pain management, trauma resolution—and explain the Apex Problem, where people dismiss their own hypnotic changes because the results feel “too normal.”

They also address the dangers of poorly trained hypnotists, debunk myths like the “special state” idea, and discuss various applications of hypnosis. With the usual dose of humor, this episode offers a fun yet authoritative exploration of what hypnosis truly is.

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