Brainwashing



Brainwashing is the act of removing or altering someone's thoughts and memories. It was a technique utilized by the Dai Li during the Conspiracy of Ba Sing Se.

History


It is unknown who created the technique of brainwashing, however, the Dai Li frequently employed the technique. The method was first seen to be used on Jet following his arrest after he claimed that Iroh and Zuko were Firebenders. After chiding a downcast Joo Dee for falling behind in her duties, Long Feng brought on a hypnotic state over her by reciting a special code. When Team Avatar infiltrated the Dai Li base at Lake Laogai, they saw several women being brainwashed into believing they were called Joo Dee and being prepared to do the Dai Li's bidding. Later, during a battle in the underground base, Long Feng managed to hypnotize Jet, prompting him to attack Aang. The main reason for use of the brainwashing methods was presumably to maintain cultural order within Ba Sing Se and to prevent anyone from mentioning to its citizens about the ongoing war.

Process
The Dai Li often brought victims to their secret headquarters beneath the surface of Lake Laogai where they would proceed to brainwash the victims. During the process of brainwashing, agents would repeatedly recite anything they wished for the victims to believe. In Jet's scenario, a dim lantern was employed which revolved slowly around the agent brainwashing him. In the scenario of the brainwashing of the young women, the women would simultaneously repeat the words of a single agent. Long Feng incorporated the codewords, "The Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai," in order to activate the obedience of a subject. He used this code on both Jet and Joo Dee.

Effects


When brainwashed, people are tricked into believing anything the brainwasher stated. The victim forgets any information the brainwasher wishes to erase from their mind. When Long Feng incorporated the code during the process, the brainwashed subject's pupils dilated and they responded: "I am honored to accept his invitation." It was presumed that Long Feng planned out a certain task to be carried out by the subject once the code is heard. In Jet's case, it caused him to involuntarily attack Aang. In Joo Dee's case, she was told to wait for specific orders presumably from the Dai Li. The exact orders that were given are never fully explained.

Cures
There are two known methods of curing brainwashing.

Healing
The Waterbending technique of healing has been known to be capable of bringing a subject out of their hypnotic state. Jet's brainwashed state was broken when Katara used her healing abilities on him.

Familiar Surroundings
Often times, familiar surroundings are able to slowly regenerate the memory of a brainwashed victim or even completely reverse the effects of brainwashing. Visiting the Dai Li's secret underground base evidently brought back Jet's memory of being captured and brought there by Dai Li agents. After a brief duel ensued with Long Feng battling Aang and Jet, Long Feng was able to bring Jet under his control by reciting the codeword which prompted Jet to attack Aang. However, when Aang reminded Jet he was a Freedom Fighter, his brainwashed state was once again broken.

Known Victims

 * Jet
 * Everyone disguised as Joo Dee.
 * People who caused problems relating to the War in Ba Sing Se.