Life of Brian

Sex . . . it does a body good. . . health reasons to indulge in sensual pleasure

From Newsweek, a number of studies have shown that regular sex has various health benefits . . . I can think of many non-health benefits as well as a few more health benefits not listed in their Health Benefits of Weekly Sex article . . . regular sex (at least once a week, but the more the better) has a number of health benefits, especially for women.  The top six health reasons they give to encourage folks to have regular sex include:

1. It Fights Colds and Flu. Sexual intercourse once or twice a week raises the body's level of the immune-boosting antibody immunoglobin A by a third, according to research at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.

2. It's a Beauty Treatment. In a study at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, a panel of judges viewed participants through a one-way mirror and guessed their ages. Those who looked seven to 12 years younger than their age (labeled "superyoung") were also enjoying lots of sex—four times a week, on average. OK, maybe they were having so much fun because they looked young. But it's likely the sex was helping, researchers say. One reason is that it raises a woman's estrogen level, which helps make hair shiny and skin supple.

3. It Burns Calories. A little over four calories a minute, or the equivalent of four Hershey's kisses in a half hour of love. Think of it as part of your weekly exercise regime, and burn, baby, burn.

4. Yes, Honey, I Have a Headache. For a woman a migraine might actually be a reason for making love rather than avoiding intercourse: the increase in endorphins and corticosteroids during arousal and orgasm is analgesic.

5. It Promotes Regular Menstrual Cycles. A series of studies by behavioral endocrinologist Winnifred Cutler and colleagues at Columbia and Stanford universities found that women who have intercourse at least weekly (except during their period) cycle more regularly than abstainers or the sporadically active. (Related research found that lesbian lovemaking also smoothes out menstrual cycles.) Cutler argues that intimacy is essential, not orgasms: "Regular exposure to a loving partner has extraordinary effects on health and well-being."

6. It Can Prevent Accidents. Women use the muscles of the pelvic floor to stem the flow of urine. As they age, they need to keep these strong to avoid peeing accidentally. The same muscles are exercised during intercourse, and as with all muscle-building programs, the benefits require consistency.

Of course, a major benefit for regular sex . . . it certainly is an enjoyable experience.  We'll save the social and bonding and other benefits for another post sometime.  In the meantime, go get healthy!

All the best,
Brian

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Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]
Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

sex and marriage with robots?

Well it seems that MSNBC has finally caught up with something that many of us had figured out long ago . . . Sex and marriage with robots? It could happen. Levy's timetable is a bit off. His prediction that withint five years someone will be having regular sex with a robot isn't too far wrong. I would imagine that as soon as someone puts a computer chip in a sex doll, it will happen. We are seeing some amazing work in lifelike robot construction, animatronics that mimic human movement and expression (Taiwan just developed a new lifelike series of such humanoid robots and Japan's had a number of them for some time). However, the piece on Levy's work ignores the parallel development of lifelike attributes built into high end sex dolls. The very high end Real Dolls and the like are becoming ultra realistic and some experiments have been done in adding mechanical parts (the ultra suck action) and the like to create even more realistic effects. It is becoming increasingly common for some men to turn to expensive unreal sex dolls for companionship and emotional attachment as their social skills atrophy in a world of computerized isolation. There are folks who already "marry" sex dolls, one company in Japan sells extremely high end sex dolls that require clients to go through a marriage ceremony before taking them home. I would think Levy's 2050 year might be a bit late for such human-robot marriages although he might be on the mark for legal marriages.

Strippers, Menstrual Cycles, and Earning Power

The journal Evolution and Human Behavior is publishing a study that tracked the earning power of strippers and compared that to their menstrual cycles - see Strippers' Earning Potential Affected by Hormone Cycle - where they found that when strippers are in their most fertile period of their menstrual cycle they earn much more than those who are in the least fertile period of their cycle.  Stippers on "the pill" where fertility is flattened out did not experience cycles in earning power.  So . . . when women are most fertile, they tend to behave more sexually open and aggressive which translates into attractiveness and earning potential.  Or, more bluntly . . . women who at the peak of their fertility are sexier (in their behavior and how men perceive them).

All the best,
Brian

Waking Dreams Hypnosis ShowOct. 19 & 20, Live Comedy Club Taipeihttp://www.comedy.com.twSee you in February 2008 . . . mini-US tour :-)HYPNOTICON hypnosis convention, Feb. 1-3, Atlantahttp://www.hypnoticon.orgWALKABOUT TRANCE BEACH RESORT GETAWAY, Feb. 9-10, Los Angeles http://walkabouttrancebeachresortgetaway.blogspot.comSign Up for Hypnosis CoursesEnjoy Great Entertainment! Hypnosis Showshttp://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!. . . and Much Much More!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]
Performance Hypnotist, Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, English Dept., NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Tickle Tickle . . . bartender hypnosis

My friend Aaron (Hypnofocus, HypnosisFetish, and HypnoSlave) is visiting my friend David (Azure Mind Changes and Fun2Hypno) in Atlanta and between the two of them, they're as interesting a pair as one can find . . . they're also both very accomplished street hypnotists, the sort of folks who will hypnotize anyone, anytime, anyplace, anytrance.

That means hypnotic hijinx pretty much most of the time.  Recently, the hypnotic pair went to a pub where they spent a few hours hypnotizing anyone and everyone in the place.  See Aaron's version of the story here.  One of their happy volunteers was the bartender who Aaron tranced into feeling tickling which he then changed into tickles of pleasure which she obviously enjoyed quite a bit.  Here's the video, the sound sucks because of the background noise but you will get the idea (just another demonstration that you can perform hypnosis anywhere and that the need for absolute quiet is a myth, those of us who enjoy walkabout trance and street hypnosis have known this for years):

Quite a bit of fun.  Do go to Aaron's page to read his account of the events here.  Yes, Aaron is one of the scheduled guest speakers at HYPNOTICON, the open community hypnosis convention, where he will also be performing an erotic stage hypnosis show.  His approach to hypnotic performance is very different and well worth one's while.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!HYPNOTICON
http://www.hypnoticon.org
WALKABOUT TRANCE BEACH RESORT GETAWAY
http://walkabouttrancebeachresortgetaway.blogspot.comHypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]
Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

HYPNOTICON . . .. . . The Inclusive Hypnosis Convention . . .. . . 1-3 February 2008 . . . Atlanta, Georgia

HYPNOTICON 2008
1-3 February 2008 : Atlanta, Georgia
http://www.hypnoticon.org

You have always heard about these conventions and events and wondered why there was never one just for your interests, Now its here . . . and more.

Welcome to HYPNOTICON, the single most unique convention for the hypnosis community! Join us for an open and supportive exchange of hypnosis techniques, methods, and ideas from innovators and dynamic presenters from all areas of the hypnosis community in an open forum representing any and all applications and contexts of trance and hypnosis . . . hypnotherapy, education, entertainment, recreation, metaphysical introspection, and alternative hypnotic contexts (yes, we probably mean what you think we mean).

This is the one inclusive community event that has something for everyone . . . beginner through seasoned professional . . . there is something here for you.

Join us in Atlanta, Feb. 1-3, 2008 . . . for HYPNOTICON 08!

Guest speakers will be presenting on very diverse topics as well as participating in panel discussions.  Some of the guests include Richard Anthony and Genie Anthony, Philip H. Farber, Wendi Friesen, Allyn Gallant, Aaron Glotfelter, Paul Knight, Brian David Phillips, James Ramey, Charles William Skillas, Tom Vizinni and Kim McFarland, Terry Winchester, and more.  In addition to notable guests, there is an open-submissions track for participants to submit their own presentation proposals.  Check the program for topics.

The convention program is based upon the idea of inclusiveness (bridging the gaps between diverse sub-communities where hypnosis is applied), practical experience (seminars are demonstrational in nature while workshops have hands-on practice components), and free exchange of ideas and techniques.

If you would like to learn more about HYPNOTICON go to http://www.hypnoticon.org for more information. Keep checking as the guest list and line up are still being finalized.

This is one you won't want to miss so get your registration early to catch the early bird price and reserve your hotel room today!

Multiple Virginity, Barbarian Prince Charmings, and Other Contested Realities in Taipei's Foreign Club Culture

Corbett's posted the full text of an academic study on Taiwan's "foreign club" cultures worth a peek . . . Multiple Virginity, Barbarian Prince Charmings, and Other Contested Realities in Taipei's Foreign Club Culture . . . he quotes a bit worth repeating for intterest . . .

"Dating foreign men can also prove to be strategically advantageous to Taiwanese women in that Western men are less likely to meet the women's husbands or lovers, or their husbands' and lovers' friends."

The full text is downloadable from 3Q2U.

Wrong Love (nsfw) . . .

Okay, this one is just as fetish-friendly a music ficeo as you can get. SMatka goes Fetish Universe fashion in Wrong Love video directed by Gero Von Braunmühl.  So, which do you think is going to end up being more controversial, the brief partial nudity or the fetish version of the last supper?

It's All In Your Head . . . or is it?

The beauty of visual suggestion which can directly influence your emotional and physical reactions.  Note the direct responses that you have to this short clip? (ignore the "clever" titles)

What about this one which is a bit longer but even more an example of visual suggestion the creates a much more detailed and very detailed almost experiential trance experience?

No phallic objects, no nudity, but the extreme visceral response elicited is rather graphic. It's not just in your head.  Suggestion and influence to create experiential events does not need auditory input, visual suggestion is a powerful trance inducer.  The classic "lemon test" suggestibility effect is best achieved not merely through the words of the hypnotist but through the actions.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]
Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Underground World of Pickup Artists . . .. . . not so underground anymore

I've been around the pickup/influence community for quite a while and one thing some of the guys pride themselves upon is the secretive cabal approach to keeping things very underground. Well, it's not quite as underground as some would like it to be or as they might pretend it to be . . . here we see the ABC Primetime Special About The Underground World of Pickup Artists . . . but that "expose" is actually rather late.

Anyone familiar with posts here, know that Neil Strauss went public with The Game some time ago (see archives here and elsewhere on the blog). Even before Strauss went public, the underground community of PUAs was not quite so underground. Certainly Ross Jeffries had infomercials for some time. I bought my very first book on pickup from Eric Weber back in the 1970s (don't forget there was even a television movie based on his writing of his first pickup book).  There have been recent sitcoms that had seduction community stuff. An old episode of CSI dealt with cut-throat trainer competition in the community (leading to a fictional murder). The film Magnolia parodied Ross Jeffries and seminars.

The community has not been secret for a long time. In fact, I would guess that most of the "big league" trainers of seduction are perfectly happy to have the community expand . . . it means more fame, product sales, and cash for them.

There are several film and television programs that have borrowed from the community for fodder as well and I am sure there will be many many more.

I'm pretty sure ABC did not have to trick a reluctant Mystery, Cliff, Strauss, Ross Jeffries, and the rest into letting themselves be interviewed for their piece.  Quite the opposite, I am sure.

The last time I taught an Advanced Hypnosis Techniques course in Taipei where I set things up so that the students (most of them professional trainers in their own right) could just pick my brain and ask me anything and I would up-front and frankly go over the topic with a fine toothed comb as it were, the students ended up requesting more and more on erotic and sensual hypnosis as well as descriptions of and explanations of covert influence sets as used within the PUA community.  We also had fun with some of Derren Brown's effects that are based upon genuine influence, suggestion, and hypnosis and not merely gimmicks or illusion (and how to get the other effects with suggestion alone).

Recently, in our own backyard in Taiwan, the PUA community has once again made it into the news with the announcement of the release of a Chinese edition of The Game by Neil Strauss and the news stories about a "Local" Chinese who Teaches Pick-Up (evidently he learned "The Game" and then fell in love with and married pretty much the first woman he "picked up" and now teaches seminars on PUA here, with a Chinese adaptation and with the help of his wife).  Last year, there were some feature stories in Hong Kong on the seduction community as well.

So, now the Chinese media is finally aware of the community, something the rest of the planet has been aware of for some time. So I imagine the market for localized PUA type stuff is going to grow (despite the Taipei City Gov's debacle some time ago with the supposed-to-be tounge in cheek essays on pick up for foreigners visiting Taiwan that a whole bunch of folks found offensive, esp. on an official govt. information magazine's webpages).

That's not good, it's not bad, it just is.

Nope, not secret at all . . . however, most folks do count the seduction community as fringe and not worth investigating so most of your "secrets" are still safe.  Of course, the folks who teach solid technique and advice on character building and communication that is based upon informed consent and mutual fun don't have anything to worry about.  The ones who only have lines or manipulation or exploitation gimmicks or one-off tricks . . . well they have problems at the get-go and are most likely to attract negative media coverage.

Of course, one advantage of the "secret" being out . . . folks in the community have the opportunity to work on better game, being more genuine and up front in their approaches . . . or not.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]
Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

i wonder . . .