The process of cult and mass therapy indoctrination may involve repeated inductions of trance-like states of consciousness similar to hypnosis. Environmental (milieu) control, social manipulation, isolation and the use of prescribed consciousness-altering techniques (e.g. repetitive and/or continuous chanting, meditating, or praying) are some of the methods employed by cults to produce these altered states of awareness.
Studying how brain responds to hypnosis
San Francisco ChronicleStephanie M. Lee October 23, 2012 Despite what Halloween lore might have you believe, hypnosis isn’t all about swinging watches, magic spells and mind control. It is the oldest Western conception of psychotherapy and, in mainstream medicine, it has been shown to help patients manage pain, stress and anxiety,…