Hypnotherapy: What the Research Says
Years ago I shared a hypnotherapy overview written by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Rather than reproduce someone else’s text, here is my own up-to-date summary, informed by current sources such as the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
What is hypnosis?
The word comes from the Greek hypnos, meaning sleep, but hypnosis isn’t sleep. It’s a state of focused attention and absorption, usually with relaxation, in which people tend to be more responsive to suggestion and imagery. Hypnotherapy simply means using that state for a therapeutic goal. You remain aware, and you can’t be made to do something you don’t want to do.
A very short history
Trance-like practices appear in many cultures. Modern hypnosis is usually traced to Franz Anton Mesmer in the 18th century, whose “animal magnetism” theory was discredited, and to the Scottish surgeon James Braid, who coined the term “hypnosis” in the 1840s. In the 20th century the psychiatrist Milton H. Erickson developed the flexible, conversational style that shapes my own work. Medical bodies took notice: the British Medical Association reported on hypnosis in 1955 and the American Medical Association in 1958.
How might it work?
Researchers are still studying this. Brain-imaging studies show changes in attention and self-monitoring networks during hypnosis, and responsiveness to hypnosis varies from person to person. Practically, the focused state seems to make it easier to rehearse new responses, change how you relate to sensations such as pain, and calm the body’s stress response.
Where research suggests it can help
- Irritable bowel syndrome. Gut-directed hypnotherapy has one of the stronger evidence bases, and gastroenterology guidelines now include gut-directed psychotherapies as an option.
- Pain. A 1995 NIH technology-assessment panel found strong evidence for hypnosis in easing cancer-related pain, and studies since then suggest benefits for some acute and chronic pain.
- Procedures. Hypnosis can reduce anxiety and discomfort around medical and dental procedures.
- Anxiety and stress. Many people find it a useful relaxation and coping tool.
For other uses, such as quitting smoking or weight management, results are mixed: some people do very well, but research hasn’t shown hypnotherapy is clearly better than other good forms of support. I think that’s worth knowing, and it’s why I combine hypnosis with practical skills and coaching.
What happens in a session?
We start with a conversation about your goals and health history. I then guide you into a relaxed, focused state using words and imagery, work with suggestions and techniques tailored to you, and bring you back to normal alertness. I often teach self-hypnosis so you can reinforce the work at home.
Is it safe?
Hypnotherapy with a trained practitioner is generally considered safe. A few cautions: it isn’t a substitute for a medical diagnosis; it isn’t suitable as a stand-alone approach for serious mental-health conditions such as psychosis; and hypnosis should not be used to “recover” memories, because it can create false ones.
Hypnotherapy, NLP and EFT are complementary approaches. They don’t diagnose or treat medical conditions and are not a substitute for medical care, so please also work with your physician on any health concern.
If you’d like to find out whether this approach is a good fit for you, I offer a free, no-pressure consultation. Get in touch here and we can talk it through.
