#TheDarkSideOfNeurolinguisticProgramming: A Deep Dive into the Controversial World of Mind Control

When Zoë Lescaze decided to become an expert sharpshooter, she had never so much as picked up a handgun before. Three days and a series of visualization exercises and mantras later, the New Yorker was ready for action. But this was far from your typical woo-woo meditation session. Lescaze reached her goal using neuro-linguistic programming, or NLP — a radical form of hypnotherapy that claims to alter behavioral patterns and thought processes.

NLP has been around since the 1970s, developed by self-help guru Richard Bandler and linguist John Grinder due to their mutual disdain for traditional talk therapy. The technique borrows from other scientifically researched modalities like hypnosis and has gained popularity among organizations and people from all walks of life, including Fortune 500 companies, psychotherapists working to help patients with anxiety, and even notorious figures like Jordan Belfort and cult leader Nancy L. Salzman.

Despite its widespread use, NLP is shrouded in controversy. Some view it as a powerful tool for personal development and self-improvement, while others see it as a means of manipulation and control. Investigative journalist Alice Hines, podcast co-host and Lescaze's friend, explains that the paradox at the center of NLP lies in its dual nature: "It's a tool that has been sold for self-help and personal development, which has worked for those things for many people, but also can be used to take advantage of people to manipulate and coerce."

The hosts of the podcast "Mind Games" aim to unpack the complex world of NLP and provide listeners with a deeper understanding of its techniques, such as reframing, anchoring, and modeling. They also interview NLP enthusiasts like Robbins and Salzman to learn their experiences with the technique.

Dr. J. Ryan Fuller, Ph.D., New York-licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of My Best Practice, warns that NLP's effectiveness is not scientifically justified and can be detrimental if used improperly. "The controversy comes from advocates who believe it is so powerful, while psychologists don't see the scientific evidence justifying its claims," he says.

Lescaze turned to NLP to recover memories of her father, who passed away when she was 6-years-old. Her hypnotist mentioned a character her father invented and used to tell stories about, leading to breakthroughs in her session. This experience highlights the potential benefits of NLP when used correctly.

As Hines explains, "You do not have to pay someone a bunch of money and follow a guru to learn about NLP. We think there are benefits to NLP and we also think it can be dangerous. So we want to help people use the parts that may help them, and warn people about the parts that actually could harm them."

For those interested in exploring NLP on their own, the podcast creators suggest doing research and reading books on the topic. They also emphasize the importance of proceeding with caution, as NLP trainers are not usually regulated like "real therapists."

"Mind Games" can be listened to on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.