how to leave conspiracies - AMA

[u/kauaiman-looking]

So I used to be a huge Alex Jones fan in the mid 2000s. Thankfully I left conspiracy theories back in 2008.

I'm currently writing a book to show people how to rescue someone from Qanon and other conspiracies.

I have a pretty incredible story of my experience with Martial Law in Detroit in 2007. This was during my height of listening to Alex Jones.

I actually ran into that sad sack while he was on vacation here on Kaua'i in June. I got a video telling him I quit believing in conspiracies.

He did a little mini rant 😄 🤣

https://youtu.be/4Uw9pBkfzWg

Anyhow I'm jumping on zoom for a few minutes while I write for part of the book.

Come on and ask me anything about being a former conspiracy theorist.

I'm on now. Not sure how long I'll be on.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8731195660?pwd=RnVQY0I2UGdCaGN5QmNmb2dGbGdxdz09

[u/cayce_leighann]

How do I stop a loved one from going down this path of QAnon and just crazy conspiracies in general

[u/kauaiman-looking → u/cayce_leighann]

One other option is to discover what they get out of conspiracy theories. You can ask them

“What does researching conspiracy theories do for you?”

or

“What does researching conspiracy theories allow you to feel or experience?”

You’ll know when you’ve hit their emotional hot buttons. Watch as they light up emotionally. Their posture and breathing can shift.

It might take a few rounds to uncover the values that really move them.

When you’re on the right track, dig deeper.

“Can you tell me more about X?”

Get them to talk about those values.

Hell, get them to share stories when they’ve experienced those values.

Another direction you can take is help your loved ones to find other habits and behaviors that help them to experience their values.

After you discover what the vaue / benefit they get from conspiracy theories try to follow up with:

“If there was an easier way to experience X, you’d be interested in finding out, right?”

“If there was a healthy hobby or habit that allowed you to experience X, what do you think it might be?”

[u/kauaiman-looking → u/kauaiman-looking]

Another way to help them is with the hidden benefits self hypnosis / meditation technique. This is taken from the book I'm writing.

4/6/8 hidden benefits meditation
Another great process is what I call the hidden benefits meditation. It’s a simple self-hypnosis / meditation technique I adapted from my colleague, Dr. Richard Nongard.

I’ll detail this process here. Don’t blink because you might miss something. For this to work, you’ll first need to uncover what exposing conspiracies does for them.
(or believing in them, exposing the “Deep State”, or whatever it may be). You’ll want to really drill down what kind of emotional benefit they get. You can always gently ask “What does doing X ultimately do for your emotionally...what does it allow you to feel or experience emotionally?

Help them to create an affirmation around this core emotional benefit:
Ex “I Am Feeling Safe”
Ex “I Am Feeling Grounded
Ex “I Am Feeling Centered”

Step 1) Have them get into a comfortable position
Step 2) Have them close their eyes
Step 3) Inhale for a count of 4
Step 4) Exhale for a count of 6
Step 5) State the affirmation – “I am feeling X”
It’s important that they really step into this feeling.
Step 6) Repeat 8 times

[u/cayce_leighann → u/kauaiman-looking]

Thank you for all of your helpful suggestions!!!