Hypnotism Info Blog

There is a phenomenon, for example, known to science Hypnotism and Psychotherapy, Hypnosis and Suggestibility, since the days of "animal magnetism," which reminds us more of hysteria than of ordinary sleep. This is the state of utter rigidity, usually designated as "catalepsy," which comes spontaneously or can be induced by suggestion in the deeper forms of hypnosis. The power of what amounts to "paralyzing by suggestion" was most effectively used and abused in popular demonstrations of hypnosis; the more so, as muscular rigidity can often be induced with remarkable ease. Such power of the hypnotist over muscles of his subject was well and concisely described by Moll:"Muscular activity can nearly always be influenced in a high degree by suggestion. By means of it we can make movements impossible, or else induce movements. I can make the subject's arm powerless to move simply by arousing in her (him) the conviction that her (his) arm is powerless. In just the same way the movements of the legs, trunk, larynx, etc., escape the subject's notice. 'You cannot raise your arm; cannot put out your tongue'. This suffices to make the forbidden movement impossible. In some cases the inability to move arises because the person cannot voluntarily contract his muscles, and his arm consequently hangs limp; while in other cases a contracture of the antagonistic muscles makes every attempt at a voluntary movement useless. In the same manner the leg will lose the power of motion at command. The power of speech can be taken away. And it is even possible to allow the muscles to contract for one particular purpose only. If we say to a hypnotic subject, 'you can only say your own name; for the rest you are absolutely dumb', the desired effect hypnotism, will be produced. In the same way it is possible to prevent movements of the arm for any particular purpose. Thus we can make it impossible for a person to write, though he will be able to do any other kind of work. The subject can sew, play the piano, etc., but all efforts to write are vain."

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