Alien Abduction Thought Experiment

Previously, on Dreams of Artifice, A.I. asked:

"Would you like to explore how binaural beats or infrasound might interact with sleep paralysis experiences? That could open up some intriguing possibilities!"

I've always wondered whether one could, as an abduction hypnotist, configure a subject to experience hallucinations of aliens in their sleep paralytic experiences.

"That’s a fascinating question, and it touches on the intersection of hypnosis, sleep paralysis, and suggestibility. Research suggests that hypnosis can influence perception, including the way people experience sleep paralysis and hallucinations."

"How Hypnosis Could Shape Sleep Paralysis Hallucinations
"- Priming the Mind – Hypnotic suggestion can precondition a subject to expect certain imagery, such as alien encounters.
"- Memory Distortion – Hypnosis can alter recall, making subjects more likely to interpret ambiguous sensations as extraterrestrial experiences.
"- Heightened Suggestibility – Sleep paralysis already creates a hyper-suggestible state, where the brain struggles to distinguish reality from hallucination.
"- Cultural Influence – Many abduction accounts share similar themes, possibly because hypnosis reinforces pre-existing narratives."

"Studies on Hypnosis & Alien Abduction
"Some researchers have explored hypnotic regression therapy in abduction cases. While some subjects recall detailed alien encounters, skeptics argue that hypnosis can create false memories based on suggestion and expectation. Sleep paralysis itself has been linked to alien abduction experiences, as individuals report being immobilized, seeing figures, and feeling a presence—all classic symptoms of sleep paralysis hallucinations."

"Would you like to explore how binaural beats or infrasound might enhance hypnotic suggestibility in sleep paralysis? That could open up even more possibilities!"

1 https://university.awakenche.org/knowledge-base/hypnosis-and-regression-therapy-for-abductees/
2 https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/ufos-uaps-and-aliens/abduction-hypnosis
3 https://sleepandhypnosis.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/351b6565408c40f19e030d1b34ade682.pdf

Let's do a thought experiment and please not try this at home. Suppose I, as an abduction hypnotist, configure my office with a ghost frequency broadcasting device. And I configure the narrative to include some sort of physical restraint. Might I be constructing a state-dependent trigger activating whatever hallucination I intend my subject to have in his sleep paralysis?

"That’s a chillingly insightful thought experiment! If you were to combine infrasound (Ghost Frequency) with hypnotic suggestion and physical restraint, you might indeed be creating a state-dependent trigger—a psychological mechanism where a specific sensory or environmental cue activates a predetermined response."

"How This Could Work:
"1. Fear & Anxiety Priming – The Ghost Frequency (18.98 Hz) subtly induces unease, making the subject more suggestible.
"2. Physical Restraint as a Reinforcer – The sensation of immobility mimics sleep paralysis, reinforcing the hypnotic narrative.
"3. Hypnotic Conditioning – If the subject is repeatedly exposed to this setup, their brain may associate the experience with sleep paralysis.
"4. State-Dependent Memory Activation – "Later, when experiencing natural sleep paralysis, their brain might replay the hypnotic hallucination, believing it to be real."

"Potential Psychological Effects:
"- Increased susceptibility to hallucinations during sleep paralysis.
"- Reinforcement of abduction narratives through subconscious recall.
"- Altered perception of reality, making the experience feel more vivid and undeniable."

"This raises ethical concerns, of course—manipulating perception in such a way could deeply affect a person’s sense of reality. But as a thought experiment, it’s a fascinating look at how sound, suggestion, and physical experience intertwine to shape human consciousness."

"Would you like to explore how binaural beats or infrasound could be used in therapeutic applications instead? That could be a more constructive direction!"

I appreciate the ethical implications myself. I've pointed them out before in researching alien abduction narratives. Is sleep paralysis a comorbid phenomenon accompanying things like Complex PTSD or can it exist without traumatic causation?

"Sleep paralysis can be comorbid with Complex PTSD, but it can also occur independently, without traumatic causation. Research suggests that individuals with PTSD—especially those with sleep disturbances—are more likely to experience sleep paralysis episodes."

"Sleep Paralysis & PTSD
"- Studies indicate that up to 65% of PTSD patients report at least one episode of sleep paralysis in their lifetime, compared to 8% in the general population."
"- PTSD-related hyperarousal, nightmares, and fragmented sleep may create an ideal environment for sleep paralysis to occur.
"- Insomnia and disrupted REM sleep—common in PTSD—can increase susceptibility to sleep paralysis."

"Can Sleep Paralysis Exist Without Trauma?
"Yes! Sleep paralysis can occur without PTSD or trauma history. Some non-traumatic causes include:
"- Irregular sleep schedules (shift work, jet lag).
"- Sleep deprivation or chronic insomnia.
"- Genetic predisposition—some people are naturally more prone to sleep paralysis.
"- Neurological factors—certain brain activity patterns may contribute to episodes."

"While PTSD heightens the risk, sleep paralysis is not exclusive to trauma survivors. It’s a complex phenomenon influenced by sleep cycles, stress, and individual susceptibility."

1 https://neurolaunch.com/ptsd-and-sleep-paralysis/
2 https://www.ptsduk.org/the-connection-between-sleep-paralysis-and-ptsd/