Getting Hypnotized with David Spiegel

About This Episode

Hypnosis—stage act or science? Neil deGrasse Tyson, joined by co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly, dives into the mysterious world of hypnosis with clinical psychiatrist David Spiegel. What is hypnosis? Is it about losing control—or gaining it?

We explore the human mind and consciousness, asking if there’s a “user manual” for our brains. How does hypnosis work? Dr. Spiegel explains how our salience network, which processes external stimuli, can be “turned down,” allowing us to engage deeply with our inner thoughts. Could this altered state offer new perspectives on ourselves and our world?

Some are more hypnotizable than others—why? Is there a genetic component, or can external factors like magnetic stimulation enhance hypnotizability? We discuss the science behind these questions and how hypnosis differs from meditation. Think of meditation as a vitamin and hypnosis as an antibiotic—targeted and potent, especially for managing pain and breaking bad habits. Could hypnosis be used for evil as well as for good? 

From recovering memories to treating phantom limb pain, hypnosis reveals its potential—and limitations. Dr. Spiegel shares the risks of implanted memories and debunks myths about control and resistance. We explore real-world applications like overcoming phobias and addictions as well as enhancing athletic performance. Plus, we discuss the potential for self-hypnosis to revolutionize medicine. 

Thanks to our Patrons L, Brian Mckeighan, shpdds, Azure Rodriguez, Erel Ortacdag, Sean Bettencourt, Ashtyn Marcus, Kiril Nikolov, Andy Sist, mark howell, Shawn Ravenfire, Kim Barron, Brooke Bellamy, Devin Daley, Aubrey Fernandez, Jeff Mathewson, Lord_J.Capella, Alexander Langholm Skogvik, Carleigh Drakulic, Daniel Trimble, Kyle Francek, Kayla Hunter, Mathew, Diksha Thakur, east779ave, Chris Roskell, and Shyam Vekaria for supporting us this week.

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