Hypnosis.

That Doesn’t Sound Very Scientific, Right?

Hypnosis, to be clear, is not a miracle cure. Or a panacea. Instead, it is a useful therapeutic tool. One that is meaningfully different to counselling, to CBT, and to other psychotherapies. Importantly, it’s a method that is supported by decades of independent and credible research.

Many clients who access hypnotherapy services do so after trying standard therapies like those mentioned above. They then find that hypnosis can help their particular problem, such as reducing anxiety, breaking habits, sleeping better, or reaching specific goals. This may happen because solution-focused hypnotherapy tends to be gentler, subtler, fast acting, and more goal-orientated than these other approaches.

That said, just because hypnosis is supported for some people and for some problems does not mean that it is supported for all people and for all problems. Ben Goldacre, a science communicator, put it well when he called a book, I Think You’ll Find it’s a Bit More Complicated Than That.

That is not a book about hypnosis - but about science. Regardless, the phrase captures the nature of scientific research. In science, rarely are the answers binary and uniform; often they are messy and complex. And like so many areas of science, the study and practice of hypnosis is no different. In short, hypnosis may be just what you need. With nothing to lose, get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation.

And for more science? Keep scrolling

Science is about sharing ideas and letting people make up their own minds, according to evidence we can access, rather than relying on unexamined opinions.

Next, the reader can access scientific papers on hypnosis, and make up their own mind.

Note:

  1. that links to more accessible scientific discussions on hypnosis can be found above.

  2. that research into hypnosis is ongoing; what is provided here is an introduction to research, rather than the whole spectrum

In what follows, the layout is:

  1. Paper title and date published (e.g., Neuroimaging hypnotherapy, 2012).

  2. The journal in which it was published (e.g., Cortex).

  3. The link to access it; I try to ensure they are free to access, but not all are (e.g., https://journals.plos.org/plosone/).

  4. A short artificial intelligence assisted summary of what the paper did and what it discovered (e.g., this study aimed to explore the effects of trance on the brain, and found increased activity in the default mode network).

  1. Neuroimaging

    Neuro-Hypnotism: Prospects for Hypnosis and Neuroscience (2012), published in the journal Cortex, accessed via https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3528837/

    Summary:

    The study aims to investigate how hypnosis can provide insights into the neural bases of various cognitive and affective processes, including perception, memory, and voluntary versus involuntary actions.

    Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis (2016), published the journal Cerebral Cortex, accessed via https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/27/8/4083/3056452?searchresult=1&login=false

    Summary:

    The paper explored brain activity changes in hypnosis, noting reduced activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and decreased connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). They also found increased connectivity between DLPFC and insula. These changes explain hypnosis' effects on attention, emotional control, and self-awareness.

    Functional Changes in Brain Activity Using Hypnosis: A Systematic Review (2022), published in the journal Brain Sciences, accessed via https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8773773/, and downloadable here.

    Summary:

    The review investigated how hypnosis affects brain activity using different imaging methods across 40 papers. It found that hypnosis leads to changes in brain activity, such as increased frontal brain activity, and higher brainwave activity in highly hypnotisable subjects. It also observed reduced activity in certain brain regions like the insula and anterior cingulate cortex during hypnosis.

    Neuroimaging Evidence for Clinical Hypnosis and its Relationship with the Triple Network Model of Psychopathology: An fMRI Perspective (2023), not yet published or peer-reviewed, but accessed via https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14293/PR2199.000480.v1 and downloadable here

    Summary:

    The author reviewed fMRI studies on hypnosis, finding it affects brain network connectivity, influencing internal thinking, attention, and emotions. Results varied, with some studies showing increased connectivity and others showing decreased connectivity. Inconsistent findings suggest a need for standardized protocols to better understand hypnosis' effects on the brain.

  2. Pain

    Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective (2024), published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, accessed via https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238/full

    Summary:

    This study reviewed 49 meta-analyses on hypnosis efficacy, focusing on patients with mental or somatic health issues. Strongest evidence was found for pain management and medical procedure outcomes. However, only nine meta-analyses were rated high quality. Results varied, but hypnosis showed potential benefits, especially in pain management and medical procedures. Future research should explore hypnosis' effectiveness compared to other treatments and identify which patients benefit most.

    The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials (2019), published in the journal Science Direct, accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763418304913#:~:text=Analgesic%20effect%20of%20hypnosis%20examined,benefits%20found%20for%20low%20suggestibles

    Summary:
    The study examined if hypnosis can reduce pain and what factors affect its effectiveness. They analyzed 85 studies involving 3632 participants and found that hypnosis significantly reduced pain compared to no intervention. The level of pain relief depended on a person's suggestibility and the type of suggestion used. This suggests that hypnosis could be a safe and effective way to manage pain, especially for highly suggestible individuals.

    Hypnosis for acute procedural pain: a critical review (2017), published in the journal International Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5120961/

    Summary:

    The study reviewed evidence from 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on hypnosis for acute procedural pain. It found that hypnosis reduced pain compared to standard care and attention control groups, and was as effective as other psychological or behavioral therapies. Multiple hypnosis sessions before the procedure showed the best results, especially for minor surgeries. However, the findings are limited by potential bias, so more studies with better controls are needed to confirm these results.

    Hypnosis Reduces Distress and Duration of an Invasive Medical Procedure for Children (2005), published in the journal Pediatrics, accessed via https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/115/1/e77/66983/Hypnosis-Reduces-Distress-and-Duration-of-an?redirectedFrom=fulltext, but is behind a paywall.

    Summary:

    The study investigated if hypnosis could help children cope with anxiety and pain during a procedure called VCUG. Forty-four children were randomly assigned to receive hypnosis or routine care. Results showed less distress and shorter procedure times for children in the hypnosis group. Hypnosis appears promising for reducing distress during medical procedures, but further research is needed.

  3. Stress & Anxiety

    Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress – a systematic review (of RCTs, 2017), published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, accessed at https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-017-1806-0, and downloadable here.

    Summary:

    The paper aimed to assess if hypnosis reduces perceived stress by analysing nine randomized clinical studies with 365 participants, mainly medical students. While six studies indicated hypnosis reduced stress compared to controls, three did not. However, due to study design limitations and potential biases, confirming hypnosis' effectiveness in stress reduction is challenging. The authors recommend more high-quality research to clarify hypnosis' impact on stress.

    Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders (2014), published in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, accessed via https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1586/ern.09.140

    Summary:
    The review highlights self-hypnosis as a promising, non-drug option for anxiety-related issues. It summarizes research showing its effectiveness for reducing state anxiety before medical procedures and in treating conditions like tension headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. While more studies are needed for long-term anxiety, the evidence supports its use as an adjunct therapy.

    The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis (2019), published in the journal International Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, accessed via https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31251710/

    Summary:

    This meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of hypnosis in treating anxiety by analyzing 15 studies comprising 17 trials. Hypnosis showed significant reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to control conditions, with an average effect size of 0.79 at the end of treatment and 0.99 at the longest follow-up. Combining hypnosis with other psychological interventions was more effective than using it alone.

  4. Dental Anxiety

    Efficacy of Hypnosis on Dental Anxiety and Phobia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2022), published in the journal Brain Sciences, accessed at https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/5/521, and downloadable here.

    Summary:

    The paper reviewed 19 clinical trials on reducing dental anxiety in adults. While cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) showed consistent evidence for anxiety reduction, the effectiveness of hypnosis varied due to different methods used across studies. More consistent research methods are needed to understand hypnosis' impact on anxiety better.

  5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

    The Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2014), published in the journal Neurogastroenterology and Motility, accessed via https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4015203/#:~:text=This%20review%20is%20the%20first,benefit%20for%20overall%20gastrointestinal%20symptoms

    Summary:

    This study reviewed seven randomized controlled trials on hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While performance bias was high due to the inability to blind participants and therapists, the results showed significant improvement in abdominal pain scores at 3 months and overall gastrointestinal symptoms in the hypnotherapy group. This suggests that hypnotherapy has beneficial short-term effects in alleviating symptoms of IBS.

  6. Sleep

    Hypnosis Intervention Effects on Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review (2018), published in the journal Journal of Sleep Medicine, accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5786848/, and downloadable here.

    Summary:

    The study reviewed research up to 2017 on hypnosis for sleep issues in adults. Out of 24 papers analysed, around 58.3% reported benefits, 12.5% showed mixed results, and 29.2% found no clear benefit. While hypnosis seems promising for sleep, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

    Hypnotherapy and insomnia: A narrative review of the literature (2022), published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229922000073, and downloadable here.

    Summary:

    The review assessed hypnosis for insomnia treatment across 25 studies. It found diverse methods, small sample sizes, and inconsistent hypnosis practices. Lack of detailed technique descriptions and absence of double-blind studies were noted. The review suggests using a standardised framework for future research to enhance methodological rigor.

  7. Smoking

    Hypnotherapy compared to cognitive-behavioural therapy for smoking cessation in a randomized controlled trial (2024), published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, accessed via https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330362/full

    Summary:

    This study compared hypnotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for quitting smoking in 360 participants over 12 months. Both methods showed similar effectiveness in continuous and 7-day abstinence rates, suggesting hypnotherapy is as effective as CBT for smoking cessation.

    Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation (2019), published in the journal Cochrane Datavase Systematric Review, accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6568235/

    Summary:

    This review of 14 studies found no clear evidence that hypnotherapy is better than other methods for quitting smoking. Results varied across studies, and most had limitations. More high-quality research is needed to understand hypnotherapy's effectiveness and safety for smoking cessation.

  8. Sports Performance

    The Application of Hypnosis in Sports (2021), published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, accessed via https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8820393/

    Summary:
    The abstract suggests that hypnosis can be an effective psychological training method in the sports industry. It outlines the historical background of hypnosis and notes the growing interest in its applications in sports, particularly in enhancing athletic performance. The essay employs a literature review and logical analysis to explore the potential applications of hypnosis in sports and provides evidence supporting its effectiveness in this context.

    Enhancing sports performance with hypnosis: An ode for Tiger Woods (2016), published in the journal of Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, accessed via https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fcns0000055

    Summary:
    The review examines controlled and single-case design studies on hypnosis for improving sports performance. It includes 17 studies showing hypnosis effective in enhancing various sports skills, particularly in basketball, golf, soccer, and badminton. Methodological limitations include insufficient demographic details and lack of treatment manuals. Hypnosis emerges as a possibly efficacious therapy, suggesting its potential for evidence-based practice in sports psychology.

    Hypnosis, exercise, and sport psychology (2010), published in the Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis, accessed via https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1chs5qj?turn_away=true

    Summary:

    The chapter explores how hypnosis, especially through age regression, is used in exercise and sports. It discusses cases where hypnosis helps athletes access past information to improve performance, emphasizing a nondirective approach and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. Additionally, it reviews conflicting evidence on hypnosis' impact on exercise performance in research.