Hypnosis in Holy Hell

The documentary “Holy Hell” shows the destructive power that hypnosis can have. “This was literally brainwashing. We were doing hypnotic work with people every day. It is brainwashing,” is clearly described by an ex-member of the group.

This is the most honest and direct response I have heard about why people “join” cults. In fact, people don’t “join” cults - they are indoctrinated using powerful manipulation techniques, including hypnotic phenomena. That is part of the definition of a cult — the fact that the group, individual, or entity systematically reduces and oppresses the individual’s ability to think and live as themselves. I am grateful that this documentary has clearly shown us how devastating hypnosis can be in the wrong hands.

In my opinion, members of the mental health and neuroscience industries need to understand the urgent need to take this issue seriously and research these phenomena in more detail. Historically, these industries have not given this issue the time and consideration it deserves. Further, many mental health institutions have historically suppressed the study of cults and their impact on mental health (for example, the important work of the late Margaret Singer, a clinical psychologist and cult researcher, was unsupported by the American Psychological Association (APA)).

Additionally, it should be noted that many training programs in hypnosis for therapists and mental health practitioners often teach the fallacy that hypnosis cannot be used to manipulate someone to do something that is against their “will”. This is simply untrue. I hope that with more rigorous study, attention, and consideration, we can move towards a better understanding of cults, hypnosis, and the power of coercive control.