A Bit of Science
Hypnosis is an empowering tool that can be used to address a variety of issues. Unlike other interventions, it causes no adverse effects, and has no interactions with drugs and other treatments. Is it effective though? Research indicates it is. Below are a few references for you to find out more.
Anxiety
Hypnosis has shown positive effects in reducing anxiety across various populations. Multiple studies have demonstrated its efficacy in alleviating test anxiety among students (Hammer et al., 2021; Pachaiappan et al., 2023) and anxiety in cancer patients (Chen et al., 2017; Sine et al., 2021; Johnson et al., 2016). A meta-analysis revealed that hypnosis is more effective when combined with other psychological interventions, with sustained effects at follow-up (Valentine et al., 2019). Hypnosis has also been found to reduce anxiety in hemodialysis patients (Untas et al., 2013). The effectiveness of hypnosis may vary depending on factors such as delivery method, with therapist-delivered hypnosis showing greater efficacy than self-hypnosis (Chen et al., 2017). Overall, these studies suggest that hypnosis can be a valuable tool for anxiety management in various contexts. Chen, P., Liu, Y., & Chen, M. (2017). The effect of hypnosis on anxiety in patients with cancer: A meta‐analysis. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 14(3), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12215 Johnson, A. J., Marcus, J., Hickman, K., Barton, D., & Elkins, G. (2016). Anxiety reduction among breast-cancer survivors receiving hypnotic relaxation therapy for hot flashes. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64(4), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2016.1209042 Hammer, C. M., Scholz, M., Bischofsberger, L., Hammer, A., Kleinsasser, B., Paulsen, F., & Burger, P. H. M. (2021). Positive effects of medical hypnosis on test anxiety in first year medical students. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 59(4), 472–482. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2021.1886971 Pachaiappan, S., Tee, M. Y., & Low, W. Y. (2023). Hypnosis interventions for reducing test anxiety among students: A systematic review. Cogent Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2023.2281745 Sine, H., Achbani, A., & Filali, K. (2021). The effect of hypnosis on the intensity of pain and anxiety in cancer patients: A systematic review of controlled experimental trials. Cancer Investigation, 40(3), 235–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/07357907.2021.1998520 Untas, A., Chauveau, P., Dupré-Goudable, C., Kolko, A., Lakdja, F., & Cazenave, N. (2013). The effects of hypnosis on anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleepiness in people undergoing hemodialysis: A clinical report. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 61(4), 475–483. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2013.810485 Valentine, K. E., Milling, L. S., Clark, L. J., & Moriarty, C. L. (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67(3), 336–363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863
Depression
Recent research suggests that hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for depression. Meta-analyses have found moderate to large effect sizes for hypnotic interventions in reducing depressive symptoms (Milling et al., 2018; Fuhr et al., 2022). Hypnotherapy has shown comparable effectiveness to established treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and may even outperform antidepressants in some cases (Fuhr et al., 2022). It can be particularly beneficial when used as an adjunctive treatment alongside other psychotherapies (Pang et al., 2024; Lynn et al., 2010). Hypnosis may help by empowering patients, modulating attention, and facilitating mindfulness practices (Yapko, 2010; Lynn et al., 2010). Cognitive hypnotherapy, which combines hypnosis with cognitive behavioral techniques, has emerged as a promising multimodal approach for treating depression (Alladin, 2012). While more rigorous research is needed, current evidence supports hypnotherapy as a valuable tool in depression treatment, with potential applications in various clinical settings (Fuhr et al., 2022). Alladin, A. (2012). Cognitive hypnotherapy for major depressive disorder. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 54(4), 275–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2012.654527 Furh, K., Hagl, M., Drujan, M., & Batra, A. (2022). Treating depression with hypnotherapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Minerva Psychiatry, 63(3). https://doi.org/10.23736/s2724-6612.22.02303-x Lynn, S. J., Barnes, S., Deming, A., & Accardi, M. (2010). Hypnosis, rumination, and depression: Catalyzing attention and mindfulness-based treatments. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 58(2), 202–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207140903523244 Milling, L. S., Valentine, K. E., McCarley, H. S., & LoStimolo, L. M. (2019). A meta-analysis of hypnotic interventions for depression symptoms: High hopes for hypnosis? American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 61(3), 227–243. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2018.1489777 Pang, J. W. V., Subramaniam, P., Amit, N., Wahab, S., & Moustafa, A. A. (2024). Hypnotherapy as treatment for depression: A scoping review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 72(2), 155–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2024.2317193 Yapko, M. D. (2010). Hypnosis in the treatment of depression: An overdue approach for encouraging skillful mood management. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 58(2), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207140903523137
Pain
Hypnosis has shown promising results in managing various types of pain, including chronic and procedural pain. Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses have found hypnosis to be more effective than standard care and at least as effective as other psychological interventions for pain relief (Kendrick et al., 2016; Adachi et al., 2014; Thompson et al., 2019). The efficacy of hypnosis is influenced by factors such as hypnotic suggestibility and the use of direct analgesic suggestions (Thompson et al., 2019; Dillworth & Jensen, 2010). Neurophysiological studies have demonstrated that hypnotic analgesia affects brain and spinal cord functioning (Jensen & Patterson, 2014). Although many studies show design limitations that might carry a high risk of bias (Milling et al., 2021), hypnosis appears to be a safe and potentially effective alternative to pharmaceutical interventions for pain management (Thompson et al., 2019; Lee & Pyun, 2012). Adachi, T., Fujino, H., Nakae, A., Mashimo, T., & Sasaki, J. (2013). A meta-analysis of hypnosis for chronic pain problems:A Comparison Between Hypnosis, Standard Care, and Other Psychological Interventions. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 62(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2013.841471 Dillworth, T., & Jensen, M. P. (2010). The role of suggestions in hypnosis for chronic pain: A review of the literature. The Open Pain Journal, 3(1), 39–51. https://doi.org/10.2174/1876386301003010039 Jensen, M. P., & Patterson, D. R. (2014). Hypnotic approaches for chronic pain management: Clinical implications of recent research findings. American Psychologist, 69(2), 167–177. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035644 Kendrick, C., Sliwinski, J., Yu, Y., Johnson, A., Fisher, W., Kekecs, Z., & Elkins, G. (2015). Hypnosis for acute procedural pain: A critical review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64(1), 75–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2015.1099405 Lee, J.-S., & Pyun, Y. D. (2012). Use of hypnosis in the treatment of pain. The Korean Journal of Pain, 25(2), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.2.75 Milling, L. S., Valentine, K. E., LoStimolo, L. M., Nett, A. M., & McCarley, H. S. (2021). Hypnosis and the alleviation of clinical pain: A comprehensive meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 69(3), 297–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2021.1920330 Thompson, T., Terhune, D. B., Oram, C., Sharangparni, J., Rouf, R., Solmi, M., Veronese, N., & Stubbs, B. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 99, 298–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.013
Sleep Disorders
Multiple studies report positive outcomes when hypnosis is used in the treatment for sleep disorders. A systematic review found that 58.3% of studies reported benefits for sleep outcomes (Chamine et al., 2018). Another review indicated that 47.7% of studies showed positive results, with even higher success rates when sleep-specific suggestions were included (Wofford et al., 2023). Hypnosis has been found effective for various sleep issues, including insomnia, parasomnias, and sleep disturbances related to menopause and PTSD (Becker, 2015; Otte et al., 2020; Galovski et al., 2016). Hypnosis is considered a cost-effective and safe intervention with a low incidence of adverse events (Chamine et al., 2018). However, more high-quality research is needed to fully establish its efficacy for sleep disorders (Lewis-Croswell, 2021; Lombard, 2020). Becker, P. M. (2015). Hypnosis in the management of sleep disorders. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 10(1), 85–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2014.11.003 Chamine, I., Atchley, R., & Oken, B. S. (2018). Hypnosis intervention effects on sleep outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 14(02), 271–283. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6952 Galovski, T. E., Harik, J. M., Blain, L. M., Elwood, L., Gloth, C., & Fletcher, T. D. (2016). Augmenting cognitive processing therapy to improve sleep impairment in PTSD: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(2), 167–177. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000059 Lewis-Croswell, J. L. (2021). Hypnosis and guided imagery. In V. Cacho & E. Lum (Eds.), Integrative Sleep Medicine (pp. 361–372). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780190885403.003.0023 Lombard, L. (2020). Hypnosis in the management of sleep disorders. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 62(3), 313–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2019.1677414 Otte, J. L., Carpenter, J. S., Roberts, L., & Elkins, G. R. (2020). Self-hypnosis for sleep disturbances in menopausal women. Journal of Women’s Health, 29(3), 461–463. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8327 Wofford, N., Snyder, M., Corlett, C. E., & Elkins, G. R. (2023). Systematic review of hypnotherapy for sleep and sleep disturbance. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 71(3), 176–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2023.2226177
Autoimmune Conditions
Hypnosis has shown promise in treating various autoimmune conditions. Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing symptoms and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (Horton-hausknecht et al., 2000), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease (Schafer, 1997). Hypnosis has also been found beneficial for psoriasis (Tausk & Whitmore, 1999) and inflammatory bowel disease (Szigethy, 2015). The therapy works by influencing the immune system through the brain-immune system connection (Torem, 2007). Hypnosis has been particularly effective in managing pain and improving quality of life in autoimmune conditions (Horton-hausknecht et al., 2000; Szigethy, 2015). It has also shown promise in treating asthma, especially in children (Hackman et al., 2000). While more research is needed, existing evidence suggests that hypnosis can be a valuable complementary treatment for autoimmune disorders, particularly when administered by experienced practitioners over multiple sessions (Hackman et al., 2000). Hackman, R. M., Stern, J. S., & Gershwin, M. E. (2000). Hypnosis and asthma: A critical review. Journal of Asthma, 37(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3109/02770900009055424 Horton-hausknecht, J. R., Mitzdorf, U., & Melchart, D. (2000). The effect of hypnosis therapy on the symptoms and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Psychology & Health, 14(6), 1089–1104. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440008407369 Schafer, D. W. (1997). Hypnosis and the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 40(2), 111–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.1997.10403415 Szigethy, E. (2015). Hypnotherapy for inflammatory bowel disease across the lifespan. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 58(1), 81–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2015.1040112 Tausk, F., & Whitmore, S. E. (1999). A pilot study of hypnosis in the treatment of patients with psoriasis. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 68(4), 221–225. https://doi.org/10.1159/000012336 Torem, M. S. (2007). Mind-body hypnotic imagery in the treatment of auto-immune disorders. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 50(2), 157–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2007.10401612
Cancer
Hypnosis has shown to be useful as an adjuvant therapy in cancer care, particularly for managing symptoms and side effects. Multiple studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing pain, anxiety, distress, fatigue, nausea, and hot flashes in cancer patients (Cramer et al., 2015; Tomé-Pires & Miró, 2012; Franch et al., 2023). Hypnosis has been found beneficial during various stages of cancer treatment, including diagnostic procedures, surgery, and radiotherapy (Cramer et al., 2015; Potié et al., 2016). It has also shown promise in improving quality of life and well-being in cancer patients (Franch et al., 2023). However, some researchers note that more rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings (Sine et al., 2021). Despite the growing evidence supporting hypnosis in cancer care, it is not yet widely available as part of integrative oncology approaches (Forester-miller, 2017). Overall, hypnosis appears to be a safe and cost-effective complementary intervention for managing cancer-related symptoms (Potié et al., 2016). Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Paul, A., Langhorst, J., Kümmel, S., & Dobos, G. J. (2014). Hypnosis in breast cancer care. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 14(1), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735414550035 Franch, M., Alarcón, A., & Capafons, A. (2023). Applications of hypnosis as an adjuvant in oncological settings: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 71(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2022.2160255 Forester-Miller, H. (2017). Guest Editorial. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 60(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2017.1318003 Montgomery, G. H., Sucala, M., Baum, T., & Schnur, J. B. (2017). Hypnosis for symptom control in cancer patients at the end-of-life: A systematic review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 65(3), 296–307. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2017.1314728 Potié, A., Roelants, F., Pospiech, A., Momeni, M., & Watremez, C. (2016). Hypnosis in the perioperative management of breast cancer surgery: Clinical benefits and potential implications. Anesthesiology Research and Practice, 2016, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2942416 Sine, H., Achbani, A., & Filali, K. (2021). The effect of hypnosis on the Intensity of pain and anxiety in cancer patients: A systematic review of controlled experimental trials. Cancer Investigation, 40(3), 235–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/07357907.2021.1998520 Tomé-Pires, C., & Miró, J. (2012). Hypnosis for the management of chronic and cancer procedure-related pain in children. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 60(4), 432–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2012.701092