I'm a Funny Hypnotist "Dude"

A BIG thanks to the AP psychology teachers at Paint Branch High School in Silver Spring, Maryland for hosting me this past week as a guest speaker.  I donate my time to speak on campus at Montgomery County high schools as part of the psychology and health curriculums. 

My presentation is an exploration of hypnosis and its most popular applications for students (i.e stress management, academic success, and athletic performance.)  I pepper my talk with fun and engaging anecdotes, as well as a few jokes.  Some of the jokes play well with a high school audience.  While others not so much.

Here is a nice Email I received from one of the Paint Branch psychology teachers after my visit.

 

Thank you so much for coming to Paint Branch and sharing with our students.  It is definitely a highlight of the school year!  I hope the afternoon classes were as awed as the morning classes.

My students were buzzing this morning with excitement over their experiences.  These were their quotes:

 

    "Please tell that dude that his jokes were really funny"

    " I was so relaxed, especially after my hands were glued together"

    " He reminded me of Adam Sandler"

          " He thinks we didn't think he was funny, but really we did. We are just too nonchalant to show it"

Anyhow, we loved it. Thank you again.

Life Longevity and the Power of Positive Self-Talk

An interesting article published by Fast Company cites two studies – one that spanned a decade and a second that ran for 30 years – the found that personal optimism leads to a 15 percent longer lifespan. The studies considered factors related to health and socioeconomic status. 

This research validates one of my “go to” statements in the presentation I make to high school health and wellness students about hypnosis for health and wellness. When you recognize the person you are is the person you are supposed to be, everything becomes easier. 

Be positive! 

 

Science Says Just 5 Minutes a Day Can Help You Live Years Longer 

Fast Company

Should I be Scared of Hypnosis?

This is a question I am frequently asked from people at a post prom, all night grad party, or other event when I am about to solicit volunteers for a show.  It is why I always share the following information:

1. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind defined by focus, concentration, creativity, and enhanced suggestibility.

2. All of hypnosis is self-hypnosis.  My volunteers hypnotize themselves.  I merely serve as the guide.

3. A person will never do anything when hypnotized that they wouldn’t normally do.  They won’t commit a crime.  They won’t give away their money.  They won’t tell me secrets.

4. A person is aware of everything around them at all times when hypnotized.  Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness.  It is not unconsciousness.

5. A person can never get stuck in hypnosis.  If I were to have someone in trance and run out of the room, the moment they recognized my voice was no longer present the person would bring themselves out of hypnosis.

 

What about those clips you may have seen on YouTube or other social media with people hypnotized and acting crazy?  The answer to that question is quite simple.  The people who volunteer to be in a comedy hypnosis show love being the center of attention.  It is a show.  They are on stage.  It just feels right to go with it.

You can watch my hypnosis induction on YouTube.  It was uploaded by a student at Clarksburg High School in Germantown, Maryland.

 

 

Kind Words from a Kind Educator

This week I visited Paint Branch High School to speak with students who are studying psychology about hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness.

 

I donate my time to guest speak at high schools to students who are enrolled in psychology.  The topic of my talk and demonstration is “hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness.”

Rather than an academic-oriented presentation, I do my best to make the topic come alive through a series of entertaining anecdotes that highlight the real world and meaningful applications of hypnosis (i.e. stress mitigation, self-confidence, and athletic and academic performance).

Admittedly, a high school audience is tough to read.  What I think are funny jokes and stories often fall flat.  That’s why this type of feedback from the educator who hosts me is so appreciated.

Happy holidays! 

 

 

Your visit was such an astounding success.  The kids are still buzzing about it today.  In fact, they asked if they could send you thank you notes.   You are the best and we love what you do.

Jane Wright

Social Studies Educator

Paint Branch High School