*dusts off soapbox. Stands up*
If you are reading this, you have chosen to follow me, and are therefore important to me. As such, I feel it is my duty at regular intervals to warn you all of a danger that isn’t well known, but I know it exists, because I’ve lived the cautionary tale since September 2012.
Stage hypnotism can fuck you up if you’re “lucky” enough to be sensitive to it. In my experience, the practitioners only care about using you for a good show. They are literally paid to humiliate you publicly in order for the audience to laugh. Please, if you value my word:
These acts are real. The induction into an altered state of consciousness is real.
Do not volunteer for any of these acts.
Do not let anyone you care about volunteer for these acts.
Do not support these acts.
Public Humiliation should never be entertainment.
There is very little I’ve found on the subject, but from my personal experience, I’ve had a sharp increase in both the frequency and severity of headaches, panic attacks, and nightmares. They persist to this day. I get more intrusive thoughts. My self confidence has plummeted and has only somewhat recovered towards its “before” level. All in all, my quality of life took a major hit and is only slowly recovering.
I’m not sure how to end this, so I’m just going to plead once more. Please do not support stage hypnotism in any form.