Café Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology.
Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants or even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context.
The first Cafés Scientifique in the UK were held in Leeds in 1998. From there, cafes gradually spread across the country. Currently, some 70 cafés meet regularly to hear scientists or writers talk about their work and discuss it with diverse audiences.
Café Scientifique is a forum for debating science issues, not a shop window for science. We are committed to promoting public engagement with science and to making science accountable.
Our monthly meetings take place on the first Monday of the month at 7pm.
If you wish to be informed about future events, then please email one of the organisers and we will happily add you to our email list.
Meet the Organisers
Hypnosis: Scam or Superpower?
Speaker: Paulina Trevena
7pm Monday, 2nd February 2026
Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW
Join us as Dr Paulina Trevena, hypnotherapist and researcher, explores the fascinating world
of hypnosis. In this session, Dr Trevena will explain:
• What hypnosis is — and what it isn’t
• The difference between stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy
• Whether everyone can be hypnotised
• The practical uses of hypnosis
Despite a whole body of research demonstrating its effectiveness for a wide range of ailments, many of us still regard hypnosis as just ‘woo woo’ – or, worse still, something to be afraid of. Maybe you’ve seen people being hypnotised in a stage show, making fools of themselves by obeying the hypnotist’s every command. Maybe you’ve seen movies where villains hypnotise victims to reveal their secrets. Or maybe a friend has quit smoking thanks to hypnosis. And maybe it’s left you wondering, “Is any of this for real? Or is it all some kind of scam?!” If so, all will be revealed in our Café Scientifique talk! And, for any brave volunteers, Dr Trevena will even take you through a short hypnotic experience so you can experience the process for yourself!
Dr Paulina Trevena is a researcher and hypnotherapist. After years of working in academia as a researcher in social sciences and public health, Paulina discovered the world of hypnosis and was hooked! This led her to train as a hypnotherapist and subsequently establish a personal development business called No Woo Woo! Paulina, who is neurodivergent with aphantasia and ADHD, specialises in supporting people with these conditions. She is on a mission to raise awareness of aphantasia in the hypnosis & therapy world and develop best practice in working with people lacking mental imagery.
Note that to give our hosts some idea of how many people with be attending, they would appreciate it if you would fill in this online form:
