Gaslighting as a hypnotic induction

Ordinary people can do terrible things to each other.

A motivated narcissist or social predator can sneak into your life and cause you to question everything, including yourself.

They don’t need hypnosis to do it.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t use hypnosis to make things worse…

Take gaslighting, for example: the process of undermining someone until they no longer trust their own senses, memories, or sanity.

Any idiot can do that, and many idiots do.

You would think that, with hypnosis, someone could gaslight even more.

Let’s say… you could do something simple, like go out to lunch. They could then use hypnotic amnesia to erase the subject’s memory. Then, when the subject can’t remember it, they are presented with undeniable proof of it.

I’m sure this is how most people think about combining ‘gaslighting’ and ‘hypnosis’: using hypnosis to strengthen gaslighting.

And, of course, that’s a real concern.

But if you think that’s the biggest concern, it’s not.

A social predator can do something much easier to pull off than hypnotic amnesia… and it’s also much more dangerous.

It is not using hypnosis to enlighten someone.

He’s using gaslighting to hypnotize them.

Any time you feel confused or insecure, there is a small window where your brain can easily go into a deep trance. And this is good! The goal of trance is to open your mind to new possibilities and allow you to think outside of your usual patterns.

Confusion and uncertainty are good. If you never experience them, then your life is unnaturally predictable and your brain isn’t getting the training it needs.

All major games (video or otherwise) and entertainment use them. One of the reasons children’s shows are so boring for adults is that there is no uncertainty. “Of course the shady guy benefiting from this is faking the ghosts!”

But someone could misuse these natural, healthy responses.

If someone you trust says “I never said that!” – when you are sure that they did it – creates a hint of doubt.

In that doubt, your mind looks for new explanations.

And in that search, he goes into a trance.

If someone knows what you’re doing, they can use it to twist the sword in your mind.

I feel comfortable posting this information. In fact, I’m looking forward to it. These tactics are obvious even to a moderately well-trained hypnotist… but completely invisible to the layman.

Especially anyone who insists they ‘can’t be hypnotized!’

If that’s you, you’re incredibly vulnerable to this. After all, why would you doubt your own thoughts? They are obviously yours!

There are ways to defend against this, including learning hypnosis so you can spot the signs.

But also…

The answer is not ‘trust no one’. That might work, but it’s no way to live.

The best way is to trust your unconscious.

As a social animal, you have excellent instincts when it comes to social predators.

I’m not saying they are infallible… but there will always be a glimmer of doubt.

A social predator will make you doubt your doubts, dismissing them as ‘paranoid’ or ‘ungrateful’.

And look, you may be exaggerating for something minor.

But I wouldn’t assume that. If you doubt everyone you meet, you may have a problem. If you generally trust people… except that one person in your life who seems a little slippery… then take action.

Really think about what they do and how it makes you feel.

Ask people you trust about them.

Pay attention to what they do when you resist.

I could save you.