Ever wanted to Jedi mind-trick your way through life? This episode, we check out the world of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)—a psychological toolkit that promises to help you persuade, influence, and maybe even convince you that banana flavored whiskey is next on your "try" list. But does it actually work, or is it just a fancy way to say, "gaslighting, but make it self-improvement"?

To put our minds (and taste buds) to the test, we also crack open a bottle of Howler Head Banana Whiskey—because nothing screams "cutting-edge psychology" like a questionable booze experiment. Will it be a delightful tropical escape or just regret in a glass?

In this episode, we cover:

• What NLP is (and why it sounds like either a superpower or a scam)
• How banana-flavored whiskey makes us question our life choices
• The inevitable moment when we wonder, "Who actually asked for this drink?"

Tune in for a mix of mind games, monkey business, and questionable drinking decisions 😆 🍌 🥃

The whisky: https://howlerhead.com/products/howler-head-bourbon

The facts and stuffs: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/neuro-linguistic-programming-therapy

https://www.nlpcourses.com/cult-of-nlp-is-neuro-linguistic-programming-nlp-a-cult/

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/17/1128808224/the-vow-part-2-cult-nxivm-keith-raniere-nancy-salzman

Ep. 34: What the Eff-ect?!

Buckle up, folks, because this episode is about to get a little...strange. Join us as we delve into some fascinating psychological effects and phenomena, all while sipping and savoring the rich, peaty goodness of Laphroaig Lore whiskey.

First up, the autokinetic effect - the trippy illusion that a stationary point of light in the dark appears to be moving. We'll discuss how researchers have used this effect in their studies, and how it might just make your Laphroaig glass seem like it's dancing across the table. Don't worry, it's all in your head (we think).

Next, we tackle the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also known as frequency illusion. This is when something you just learned about suddenly starts popping up everywhere. Like how the Laphroaig Lore bottle design is now all you can see, even in your dreams. Is the whisky controlling your mind? Probably.

Finally, we laugh about the Coolidge effect - the tendency for sexual interest to be revived by new partners, even after satiety with a previous one. We'll explore the evolutionary origins of this effect and how it manifests in the animal kingdom (and occasionally, human behavior). Just don't go trying to test this theory after a few too many drams, mmkay?

Throughout our discussion, we'll be sipping and savoring the complex flavors of Laphroaig Lore. From its smoky, peaty notes to its hints of vanilla and spice, we'll dissect how this unique whisky perfectly complements the psychological topics at hand. Or is it the other way around? The lines may start to blur after a while.

So pour yourself a dram, get cozy, and join us as we explore the intriguing (and occasionally mind-bending) world of human behavior and perception - all while enjoying the exceptional Laphroaig Lore. Just try not to get too distracted by any moving lights or sudden urges. We've got a podcast to record!

The whisky: https://www.laphroaig.com/whiskies/laphroaig-lore-single-malt-scotch-whisky?srsltid=AfmBOoouN1pLze74PKFqkjfTOiLqOQ4e3XpfKSDtSa06VdOz-dQnSLQa

Our info sources: https://www.psichi.org/page/292JNSummer2024-Revisiting-The-Birthday-Number-Effect

https://www.scribbr.com/research-bias/baader-meinhof-phenomenon/#:~:text=The%20Baader–Meinhof%20phenomenon%20refers,that%20aren't%20actually%20there.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0303720717304938

https://blogs.cornell.edu/info2040/2015/11/20/autokinetic-effect-and-social-norms

The Flask at Hand is back and kicking this episode off with a tasting of Auchentoshan Three Wood, a Lowland single malt aged in bourbon, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez casks. We break down its soft, marshmallowy mouth feel and dark cherry flavors pondering just how much whiskey is too much before discussing bizarre science.

From there, we dive into the fascinating world of dolphins and how unihemispheric sleep is necessary for their survival. Then, we take an unexpected turn into the surprising uses of poop as medicine (some not AS useful as others). We then delve into some early hypnosis tales that lead to experiments suggesting that plants might "respond" to stressors under polygraph testing. Can plants feel our thoughts?

A dram in hand, a mind full of weird facts—just another night with The Flask at Hand. Thanks for listening!

The Whiskey: https://www.auchentoshan.com/whiskies

Sources of our info:

https://us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/how-do-dolphins-sleep/#:~:text=This%20type%20of%20sleep%20is,need%20without%20ever%20losing%20consciousness.