HYPNOSIS AND COVERT OPERATIONS (INTERIM REPORT)

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00148466
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 17, 2025
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: February 28, 1956

tr..
t. � t.'t
,�
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT:::
SUMP:MIT :
-
-
/0?�
23 February 1956
Hypnosis and Covert Operations (Interim RenOrt)
44.
5-
� Use01 tbe,polygraph as an attention diverter facilitating
application of hypnosis to covert operations has enabled us to identify:
� a. A. disguised preieat for, hypnotic susceptibility,
t
. b. A definite instrument iigiox of onset and termination
of)lypnosis - the breathing pattern,
. . .
inconstant. 'instrument index of onzat of. hypnosis
.7r7"7"-'1'""i9:".4'the.:electrodermal change:'"
o.
11,1,
� � r,
�������
d�gi
2. A light sta,e of hypnosis hae been achieved without the
:subject's awareness while using this polygraph "cover" in at least
. one instance.,-.
. REC.)? fP.EITD ;LT
The u"sa of the polygraph as a disguised method of hypnotic
induction should be atte!cpt,n1 in a field"situation usir4,1 subjects
=of a fairly sophisticated type in non-optimum a7,e and sex groupe.
� b. Tho uac of medical instruments as a dieguined induction
method should be investigated.
4. Particulars of these recowendetions and one significant
caution are included in Part I. Detaiis of eperimonts dealini; with
(4,;��
unwitting.subjects are incluaed in Part II; considerations of use of
hypnosis with witting .subject?, in Part III.
� 1 � �
ia������
I .
D-Z�ii4��
� . . ' . . ' , .
..r-,������ Net: � rte.- -...4 i....-1,�,t;*-f.I.fart�.�.i. . -`,.������ ��$-�7,2-, �-������������:..".
r"
f.
PAQT I.
-We have used the polygraph. with none success in two major �
applicati:ons of hypnosis to covert operations. A disguised protest
Itr!r.:t
.t.�: �
�
:�fr..s.� �
4 �
t't]
15.4
:4�Y:�!' . � "
1 �
� �
� tle� �
11%
� f
4
��!..�; �
".*
�������
*:6 �
�
-4 94.
�!���� �
'
of susceptibility appears possible in routine U3C of this =kilns
(to screen individDals who are good hypnotic subjects). Induction
of alight etage. oL..hypnosis. without the subject's awareness has
� � : �
-� -�-� �
been accomplished in at leant one instznce. These results have been
�
achieved with subjects in th most favorable age and sex groups.
Results with more sophisticated age groups and with agent types remain
to be determined. Members of the Security Office are actively inves-
.tigating further refinements of polygraph-disguised induction.-
� ...
2. The polygraph provides two; indices of hypnosis.
a- .The breathing pattern changes markedly within five
seconds both on induction and on termination of hypnosis and
demonstrates .a slow�rhythnical,.eymmetrical curve while the
, .
subjeot,is.mnder hypnosis. �
b.- The eiectrodermal,potential'is less constant but has
. ,
,
shown a marked chanes (upwards) within five seconds of induc-
tion in some subjects. Electrodermal potential changes on.-
.
termination of hypnosis are equivocable.
3. We have not had the facilities to go beyond the polygraph to
experiment� with drug-assisted induction or disgelsed induction utiliz-
ing medical apparatus.
�
2 �
�'"
��� r
L. ire in n.t., .st-.;.e 17i 4.'.1 1:17!;LIIC)
U.:31.nr; the polyraoh an a test of disr,n,ised induction in the field. Pa7S
tor:tin:7, about one hundreti persons needs effort .I,o
puy it%t1 ,E; or scx s'1.) ri:r!e; 7)r:sr s't: 1:!
%
enufined only 1.o PrIz-level. n;ent Lyprn. Anorenrii;:u chalr/�n.t�e-1,
ing post hypnot1c s.,g;-:estipns, a. checi.rs on tne amnesia obtained need !
to bo devised.
5. All tr..,t r::nulte 1;11.1 require further r-finem.:2nto before use
on ar,nnts. Put it is only with succensUcl andiication rwainst agents
������
that the prolzran can be said 1.:, Lo succesoful fml a standpoint,
though members of the Security Office belic.ve that they may already
have an nia in their nun vork at this time.
6. A caAti.,n mnet be rniaf.d a.4-.1tvit an miparcnt n;lorLent to
SOCCCCfl in Lhts aim. liuch ha. te;:n 1.rilLen abont "instannecns
hypnosis" achieved throu4h carotid artery pressure. (The right and
loft carotid arteries nre the major blood supply to the brain.) Thin
technique tnvo1vel.3f.ri-s nedicaL dAn..:er, inclIdin; that ef death.
I.
It ha- tesn oscd operators end nornaLly rennitn
onLy..in atinelneti trinnor.is. It in t,f) r.�thints.
injun::ti,n of "oleepl" wita carotid pr' .;ii'' to obtain hynnonls, blt
Lid n ce.1..!; V*1 L r.nd $'L1. L-
sc:corr) C�t! Lyn i!�..,3 'it.. i V)l.'.0 IJt1 pren-
sure (threttlin,;) on i..oUn ni6es of t!)41 ncek t:horu t;4� coroLid
Li. c
3
E
7. 11,�,. ;Li: 1..41; ;;.: r
unexplored posoibilitien f nchii..vin; diniiniscd hypnotic inducticn.
Thrne reizire or-Unary, bot connidernble, medical n-,pnrat,on nrd a
V6
contr-qiee envirn:--nt ioorc o:,.o-!innnG7 coh on condno. ipn
electrooncoohalocrohic (hcdn :4nvn), i.r;-Ii (hf,rt
wave), opaLnainoscic (yo vntr), nodismntric (he .rim: exar7.)
��.
instrumrnts all ofrer sitnati-)ns whorein, an itlth the no1vT4roh,
atienti:In in divnrt to thcanilim:-. The
drtorminiti-n - hrn:;thin:4 tnnt) moc:!ino rlppnnrn tn .ffrr th
b.7st coantnroart Lo tho oca.1 hyom)tic ni.toati,,n where
attention is diverted and relaxation in a printr requirite. Thn IP21
hr3 the ad'ed ft.ivanta of control of insdired air. Pri-athed throoih
n mask- (whioh 17 thn r.nnsnrip device), Lhn ot omflcn
carbcn dioxide iohal.d r L.1 c:irtr ..cd ij.ii the oxy-,,e0 docr-::7nd,
�16
.����
the subjvct is render:A more susceptible to 47pn)sis. This can La
co..tplcci with injuncti,:ns tn "relax", "go to sleep li you like",
"sleep" no ..that.indlicLion miht Lc =co-:Wished. A poet hypnotic
s'11.7onti.,n that "n will chi.; reme-Lt.r failen snicop and
r1rer:an:1 thro,1,-;h tho Lent" co': Id renulL io aqnnlia. T.2in ioivn
I., o tn hotmsver, in a oropor noviroamenL!A
wit.) .r1 :nn ar and erx crwhwi. :
n. lt wo!H :lc,� 71.7 flat, iq !zil.itriy,17. to nct no n ro�Ji.loo
rpproacn wheroLy sntijoet" 1),2 ffw nwIct:DLIbi ity tr,
on the po1y4rwpo wititoot their knowlcd,;n, and thnn shsccptiLlon'hypno-
tized usinc: the W.F-1 (for exaTle) as a dininnd approach.
..� ���: '� -
an
1
� � 6. ��'.�� � .J.���� t � ��
,111���MEN.�
�
T II - "!;:;W1-7
�
1. -Dtsgitisrd pretents of hyl.mnLic 27incent.I.b1,ity and dia:t15...3,-..d
.1.nrioeti-:;,:r. hy-7.)n�?!In T:-re rtjr,r3 "(' 1-7 !---ntati
pnir,-;;;I 3., n I fr.:111,7, -
�
1W1 mn1.7, a:.(1 hn.�- Lim! n!Wi,.Ct!:. Thc-c ;,^11A7 111
the favor�:ble.a..0 art! ,;ux r(r) .tor J:oori
��.
subject.
�
2. -.;Lx of the-..o txn
this prner.�:111re.
relaxati n.
�
L'Ir; ,�.*! thr! vilt..,�:re-.1 zt st,hn. of �orDC-n,.ind
Two, in;:1e..tt..7d by tail! Prydr:)ach a:7 typnitie zw.hjcctn,
hare subocqhently prnvcd to to so. Ono oth,.!r� went clintotly Into a
11r.ht strwo of !rip:I.:31G, at leant.
ita ;1( 1.111���e b^.,��!I ni.:17.1-vr�1 r.y
:jti�rar;r11,-, ��! r�.:n"1.1(71r.r... a t U1�%1:7177 11.n and audio 3,irvell1anc.a, and their conci::si,ns arn in zhireemr.nt. Two
n^wly-trnined -qnney hyonotists, o7pc!rtencc'd :r.-Inratorz ,
�
ha-re utitiacd thia.t)r t r.insfIly� nJJJ.r1 tvchnicrto neleay fpr plrponen
rolaxihrt exanir.nns, :/ith pnA COnt.).V. 3�:CCerinf.:1.,
rerr1.11.3. C�lo at'..c.-7)t at. anyt.ainn; 1)(1,v)n1
Rib
thrfne oxfir:thi!Ps.)
An a
I It 1 1,/;f
� :)f- �vir:.v.r. 0 iovn
r n ro. J.
I t;dr tie L . '1".1t.% dont-! per; -le Dr
otherwiso cpronti.sity, t.ha si;tuation sa it.1 the exa.71.L.nce 11,�,t,
5
��11,
4 3... 1Z- 4 �.:,.g_.,,,�.4.;;;S_-'. t....
::'71;:::::.
r.C.,;.,-.i.....,:r...-It.
tr,?44,t_ .. , 41*-`,�'-'0; ft
�e'L
,17. .44,5 -71. 7 - ,...,, ' *.--
: _ 4.t ,.. �., -.,gzr 2 v.- _
; . �.if*. � 4.1, : '.�
. . ������� ; �
Snrvillar 1-1M hyrn.)Lic erc)lnt.ria;:
able examinee, a simple a-7rerment that the techniques of hypeer311 rInd
this trcnloie of rIllsxntin MR': be and a denial that h-rmosIn
i5 Intencled cr::;t hr voiced. A t' t, of rmy nvIrt,nt obvi
�
tais is-inherent, 1- t.)- r,car,!.ne?-1 Lrlat %loin lirge
numbers of mr4 stisticated individui b.
���
5. Our eqccess in obtaininl profound relaxation in rilx of these
nine subjects and in int.rollieln; one lf atne into a of
hyunovi3 further indicaLn3 that the pol:;gr;tp, auproach :ay he sura-
cient in itself to achieve direct hypnotic control or highly soncepLible
subjects. Completely satisfactory challenjoa and checks on achievement
of nmvnia in such a nituntlen Aro a3 yet undrIvoloped.
�f; � � � . - . ,�.� �
- ';11b1r.ct5
1. In contrast to the difficulties or dnaltn:; with unwitttna,
� suhinctn. the aihrontaes�nUtninahle in dealln.: wIth vit,ttn sqblrots
- .
oifnr nnnr4c4 covcrt onor70,1n,,,,
�
�
2. snolcctrl, i3 onniblc to 'lypnotlite%ml
individual and:havl,him carry out all business and social a.--.enitins
in it normel mannni..without on Unknownz person pnrcrivin.-, that he
is under hypnsnis.
3.
�
itypnoLic indt.:ot.;.,ncin r:c AcolnAislitA tnc tciclift)w,
orally, by 'written word or with sec:rtini;ly innocent �,,nsturs.s.
of thee (inclading oral) can be accorplishr,d in t'le presence of a
thtrd party who is un!tnowin,.. and will remain ip;norant pi the fact
tirt. lj�liccn plat: d in it:cowl:7 i3. A or (!v 1.),o nrrar,
kcy word or kc7 i ut.i1.11;od t.o-Uri nor: rty;iro��-i In.
L. Any emotion or attitude can be brouOt into play; the scnsos
can br modifiod into acute awarrness or oblivion as desired, arel body
�
positl:)ns and funct:lons cr:n te controlled.
Thof!e faotorn allow L'Ics 'If an atLItildr of caLm
5.
tlormal rcrcti m.-140;!1.1 Uc intnInn for or panin. An crriH:dot-,,
inllvidual can be narin invieftlx! to a hypnoLic nbj-nt's i'1 vats
A n)n-c,'Int.;-nit c7m 1.k.! !nit.: Ortcri.1:.ablr
a slbjccc, or L!� suhl7cL cin
bc,
1-1:1�.':- 1,-, dr, :cl'ito� p'i t�74.,r1, %LI;
Viri I. CI% .1t1'.'11.1f1 .)ti �
NI
7
ry -
!
� .
-i-t.e'' - � � � ----. �
,. ..__., .....�,,,, .o� ..... - ... - . . ; ."... . "...... .. - . ..... 7.:"':" ' ' " '''''.7.'''.." "" ' -:,
�Igt � -s. -2 � � . � t-��� " . � � ���-��� - ����.- ... .���� ����,,, � �-��......� ����� ....A.'''. . � .�� � ������ � ....,�-���.�..... � � s .. � � � . - -� , .. �� ... ��� � �.-
..
�
6. Prac:ticatly ztrty cu occordirr;
�
tolnt. yo.t iLish t'ir.,..Z9ni).jrr:t. Lc:
to the opqrator's de'31rnfs. r.zvh and every ca--e recitiresiniividi
ond 0.1.rret1sn Lo tnr- nn!),1^cl, :41.11 r-.%r
: L,
4:1:1 do, it, ;,r
�
�
7. Thil5o .varyiaw, capabilitieu maniphintint witt1.nr,; hypnotic
subjocts bocorns meaninr,ful in i.erms of covert operaLl-nls whnn anol.ied
borr1Lif.)nal
8.
12c?).;inti.Ltht.Lr nt real or false -.1,1colitico an--4 covrr
stories; unwitting mosso:01 transmittal; unwittin:,,, instruction;
improved observatini by Nze reF,rossicn; and multiLlylinous applications
of poit hypnotic r.i,ti in arr fl Pls*itie.
2...
P.rra 1:1ent.,� An9.i covr.:r ntory cno
in:11,11.1cd oninnonin 1.!1!..t. any InLr:r�
rogatim rcsult in blank tho.3,-.-,lit3 for any frictor not
covere..1. Thin mnst bo rvory cs.refully done.
Falon'ille.ntity on:1 an spnropri4te r:ovr-r story can bn
oirrilzu-1.y instil:1n1 nn' l tie subl,-ct ;I:11j Lo it, %:ith no
ao23rr1It. or ohylonn dizerepincl.er4
Or Ini.selitnfrin in 1,rn.-1 cl: L.11�1 idcro,11,7� ih � s
11S"(1 V 3.71 ;1.:;r c,,ver .1..r.)v
hji Li:C.
c. Uiv. t.t,1.;v;
� 8 �
A...m..1-,
z: i , _- . -4--,.."1-1 inte : .., ,...; r: ; -,.."- ' t ' IlltP4'Ll ...-,,,,-;P�';?:
.."-� .7., tt, 1,4......-- --�
, .. � .,,t.....ts-V.,,i,
'....- .�,-,14...--__ _ ,...^1.
,;,;10.....,L,..a...................v. �13.r..W4lrai:
' iir's- .y.:;etkA -.;-..
..`;''..',.:' . t-''..t.T. . --c irg...-- 't
f.1-3476,yVV* .
'I'IM4.77` -x.4-------'4Z,-;. _ ,-444,...,
--4--5,,2-t-r- --,."---.
-4-::::4-1-44,fft--...r...- ,...
..:-.
..,...;-.4.4.:.:. -7.441:!1-4,47,A. .,4-i".*-r:
- ':.- ,------4-----74P'',A.!4e._
e � .
r--
t
.11�M�
" � � ���� ".� � � -� �
" ." s. . . � 3.. .s. � ���� � � � ....�����s� � � '�
� s. � . .� . .
;
�
t..he iv:tally- a !T.,- -r? to :1-1 11
the key. The subject will not realize he ponsenoon such a
tnen;.1.7,0 and con he node ,:n!..-ry.->win;,, of it even P.fter
�
. OM. tj, in:;trucL'....n can 1.o n;:lii.arly ut,1.11z-07\
73:abject. un ler hyr)riuni.a 0e.-1 ot)ic.rwi.00
whilo not. �undo..... hyprtonis will. carry o Loth instruot 1...ms. The
���
slbjcct can be kept in ignorance of the fact ho 140.A cnrrytn,1 out
any hinlructlons t.:*.irot Urine !lc rocivoti In
ily71 )L.1.Z.Ni 3 t.: 11.c.
e. D4prov.A oborrwitlQn is one of the boat unez3 of hypnonis.
With age rogrcanbn, n Imdividual can be reLarned :in tilie to
the no;nt 11111Cil an iLem wan obr.!,11--;ed, conversottrm hold, a
pap-r rt,ed a?-1 1.`t ca1 Lo what
ec LuaLly ta.:irlrp.)_1 :1 aI. nut. Limn the nxc I. :To ricnced it
then rather than a:3 it 13 romenb�rod in the waking st4ite.. Thin
offers opuortunities of conpletencan and exactneso that are n.et
orrlina.rily av;tilable, and is obviously vainable in chccking
veracity.
J. � 1.0:1 t IC .ii- 0 Se o ret,rr t.'ian
fInd 1:1 lI.i. t i, frir ,j.5of mr.ritt,ir.:z.
nr sr, -r:c L .i,t n1. r: 131
IL cz,n 1e r.91,1r.,1 any a-71.i.�)n by I...AC
0';11.)� t.i.igc or �nvIcr f �t.ure .in
1����
�
c��� � � .� �
dslircd.
fro-, oCi.onIvn
'
1,0 r
notcd LnaL,
a;vrnnri7itely instructed,
a subject will svp dcc717
[�� � ,
os1Q.,11 wIpin (71,7:rirld ou a sncuritr mattcr. ThE, no:Ithypntic
�16
t)l-r; a *p�r.,..c:,- act-, lnu,�.1
�
ex717):1-d Lo--hnsti1,! int.r.,rroir..ati.sn :17; a rr!tnr:)rcrm.rti.. CI
thcir.morae awi will to resist.
� � �
9. It must bcr'rrcognlz-d that variable,
will Uri el-mount/7ml
betwenn subj,-octs ni at di.fl,:4.rant. IA hypnilttn
Ap:Illcatiuns sf hypilnsis :it: wittis slibjrctn bo into rprotf-ed
acr:ordinzly.
Li.lbu Lon :
� ' r-�/.; ."-J� .
I 4i 41=Tret.�
C�C. - �
� �
-k`'W.i541t-e -"�,14.A.'")4."
. � .
��
c1v.v.-7,--, 4
-10-
�
a ..������
� � ���� � � ��� � � � ....W.'.
4, � �