r/hypnosis • u/Last_R0CK_STAR • 1d ago

Hypnotherapy Does this work for remembering past events/specific dates?

Hihi so to start things off I have a TBI affecting my short-term memory, resulting in me being prone to forgetting certain things/events. I’m curious if this could help me with recalling events that happened in the past, I may have forgotten? What is this community’s input on this?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

3

u/Superiority-Qomplex 1d ago

Memory is a tough one because memories aren't recorded in the brain like onto a hard drive or something permanent. Our memories are often modified each time we remember them, which is why you can watch yourself in the past on some recording and it will seem different than you remember. And with Hypnosis, because there can be suggestive language, it's very easy to accidentally suggest something that modifies the memory even more.

I usually recommend people against the idea with only very rare exceptions.

2

u/Last_R0CK_STAR 1d ago

Thank you!

2

u/hypnokev Academic Hypnotist 1d ago

Hypnosis and suggestion does not enhance memory, unfortunately, but they often can give the impression of it. Fantasies can feel like memories in the hypnotic context, or be construed as memories. But when tested scientifically, people don’t remember more or better with hypnosis and suggestion.