New Scientist
6-11-2019
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What hypnosis does to your brain, and how it can improve your health

Summary: Hypnosis, often associated with swinging watches and stage performances, has a rich history riddled with hucksters. However, it holds real benefits, from aiding weight loss to managing pain. Modern medicine is increasingly taking hypnosis seriously. Research is uncovering how it works and its impact on the brain. People are turning to hypnosis for various issues, including anxiety, chronic pain, and hot flushes. While it’s not a cure-all, understanding its mechanisms and learning how to use it effectively can empower us to harness the mind’s power.
This report sheds light on the evolving perception of hypnosis, its applications, and the ongoing scientific exploration of its efficacy. It’s a captivating read for anyone intrigued by the intersection of mind and health.

Cochrane Library
14-06-2019
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Hypnotherapy for Smoking Cessation

Summary: Hypnotherapy is widely promoted as a method for aiding smoking cessation. It is intended to act on underlying impulses to weaken the desire to smoke or strengthen the will to stop. In a review conducted by Joanne Barnes and colleagues, hypnotherapy interventions were found to be as effective as other forms of behavioral support six months after treatment. While hypnotherapy helped people quit, it was unclear whether it was any more beneficial than other approaches

Medium
29-8-2018
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British Psychological Society Report on Hypnosis

As a Chartered Psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), I was very interested to stumble across a review of hypnosis by the BPS.

The review was led by the renowned psychologist Professor Michael Heap and other experts. It was published in 2001, shortly after I started practicing hypnotherapy in London. The findings of the report are very interesting and I quote in full below the section on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for anxiety and many other conditions:

“Applications of hypnosis in therapy and evidence of its effectiveness Although accounts of the clinical applications of hypnosis have been published in books and journals over the last 150 years or so, it is only in the last 30 years that serious attempts have been made to evaluate the outcome of hypnotic procedures in groups of patients with specific problems. In such studies, hypnotic procedures have constituted the main component of treatment and have typically been directly targeted at symptom alleviation.

Enough studies have now accumulated to suggest that the inclusion of hypnotic procedures may be beneficial in the management and treatment of a wide range of conditions and problems encountered in the practice of medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy. In many cases, however, the relative contribution of factors specific to hypnosis is as yet unclear, and often the influence on outcome of the measured hypnotic susceptibility of the patients is small or insignificant.

The results of clinical research may be summarised as follows: There is convincing evidence that hypnotic procedures are effective in the management and relief of both acute and chronic pain and in assisting in the alleviation of pain, discomfort and distress due to medical and dental procedures (Blankfield, 1991; Genuis, 1995; Lang, Benotsch et al., 2000; Lang, Joyce et al.,1996; Montgomery, DuHamel & Redd, 2000; Walker et al., 1991) and childbirth (Brann & Guzvica, 1987; Freeman et al., 1986; Jenkins & Pritchard, 1993).

Hypnosis and the practice of self-hypnosis may significantly reduce general anxiety, tension and stress in a manner similar to other relaxation and self-regulation procedures (Schoenberger, 2000). Likewise, hypnotic treatment may assist in insomnia in the same way as other relaxation methods (Anderson, Dalton & Basker, 1979; Stanton, 1989).

There is encouraging evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of hypnotherapeutic procedures in alleviating the symptoms of a range of complaints that fall under the heading ‘psychosomatic illness’. These include tension headaches and migraine (Alladin, 1988; Holroyd & Penzien, 1990; ter Kuile et al., 1994); asthma (see review of clinical studies by Hackman, Stern & Gershwin, 2000); gastro-intestinal complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome (Galovski & Blanchard, 1998; Harvey et al., 1989; Whorwell, Prior, & Colgan, 1987; Whorwell, Prior & Faragher, 1984); warts (DuBreuil & Spanos, 1993); and possibly other skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis and urticaria (Shertzer & Lookingbill, 1987; Stewart & Thomas, 1995; Zachariae et al., 1996).

Hypnosis is probably at least as effective as other common methods of helping people to stop smoking (see review by Green & Lynn, 2000). Meta-analyses by Law & Tang (1995) and Viswesvaran & Schmidt (1992) give mean abstinence rates for hypnosis at 23 per cent and 36 per cent respectively. There is evidence from several studies that its inclusion in a weight reduction programme may significantly enhance outcome (Bolocofsky, Spinler & Coulthard-Morris, 1985; Kirsch, Montgomery & Sapirstein, 1995; Levitt, 1993).

There have been fewer studies specifically on children, but the available evidence suggests that the above conclusions may be extended to children and young people (Hackman, Stern, & Gershwin, 2000; Sokel et al., 1993; Stewart & Thomas, 1995; see also review by Milling & Costantino, 2000).

Too few studies have been published investigating the adjunctive use of hypnosis in broader psychotherapeutic programmes for the treatment of specific psychological disorders such as depression, sexual dysfunction and disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, speech and language disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder and phobic disorders. A similar statement may be made concerning its use in sports psychology.

The above conclusions are provisional, as research on the clinical effectiveness of hypnosis is continuing with improved Methodology” (Heap et al 2001, pp. 9–10).

As can be seen, the report is very favourable regarding the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. The report also suggests that more research is needed, which is a sentiment I fully support. It is only through research that we can identify the best strategies and approaches for applying hypnosis to treating various conditions.

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
15-02-2018
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Hypnosis Intervention Effects on Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Summary:

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep improvement is a promising target for preventing and modifying many health problems. Hypnosis is considered a cost-effective and safe intervention with reported benefits for multiple health conditions. There is a growing body of research assessing the efficacy of hypnosis for various health conditions in which sleep was targeted as a primary or secondary outcome. This review aimed to investigate the effects of hypnosis interventions on sleep, to describe the hypnotic procedures, and to evaluate potential adverse effects of hypnosis.
METHODS: We reviewed studies (prior to January 2017) using hypnosis in adults for sleep problems and other conditions comorbid with sleep problems, with at least one sleep outcome measure. Randomized controlled trials and other prospective studies were included.
RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine nonduplicate abstracts were screened, and 24 of the reviewed papers were included for qualitative analysis. Overall, 58.3% of the included studies reported hypnosis benefit on sleep outcomes, with 12.5% reporting mixed results, and 29.2% reporting no hypnosis benefit; when only studies with lower risk of bias were reviewed the patterns were similar. Hypnosis intervention procedures were summarized and incidence of adverse experiences assessed.
CONCLUSIONS: Hypnosis for sleep problems is a promising treatment that merits further investigation. Available evidence suggests low incidence of adverse events. The current evidence is limited because of few studies assessing populations with sleep complaints, small samples, and low methodological quality of the included studies. Our review points out some beneficial hypnosis effects on sleep but more high-quality studies on this topic are warranted.

NBC News
06-07-2017
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For Tummy Troubles, Hypnosis Might Be the Answer

Hypnotherapy for heart burn and other gastrointestinal issues may be a viable alternative to medication.

Sixty million Americans deal with this uncomfortable sensation at least once a month — heartburn. It’s not only painful, but can be life-altering, or even deadly if ignored. No wonder that heartburn and other gastrointestinal medications are among the most popular drugs on the market. But these “miracle drugs” are far from perfect; some patients report mixed results and long-term side effects.

For patients who don’t get relief from medication, their gastroenterologists are turning to psychologists for help. Hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for heartburn and other stomach conditions. It’s a powerful alternative treatment, backed with plenty of scientific evidence, that is increasingly being offered at the nation’s leading medical centers.

“There’s a robust amount of literature behind hypnotherapy beginning in the 1980s,” said Laurie Keefer, Ph.D, director of psychosocial research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “We’ve really taken to calling it brain-gut therapy.”

Hypnosis, which exploits the relationship between the mind and digestive system, can also help with conditions like GERD and the inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Untreated GERD has been linked to esophageal cancer.

Amber Ponticelli, 35, started having digestive problems in 2007. Initially, she only felt dizzy and weak in the morning, but soon developed severe abdominal pain. Unable to eat or drink for months, she lost 20 pounds and was ultimately left bedridden. After seeing multiple gastroenterologists at leading medical institutions, she was eventually diagnosed with a genetic condition that is associated with many GI symptoms.

“I thought I was dying. I had to quit my job and ended up moving to the city with my boyfriend just to be closer to the doctors I was seeing in the city,” Ponticelli told NBC News.

After traditional treatment like medications and lifestyle changes, a wary Ponticelli was referred to Keefer for a hypnotherapy session.

Hypnosis uses progressive relaxation techniques through suggestions of calming imagery and sensations. Patients are able to concentrate on improving their symptoms which often range from abdominal pain and constipation to diarrhea and bloating. For the therapy to be effective it takes a series of eight or more visits and some homework is required of the patient, like listening to tapes at home. The treatment is covered by most insurance plans and cost for each visit ranges between $100 and $150.

Contrary to many popular portrayals on television and in fiction, a clinical hypnotherapist does not have mind-control over the hypnotized patient. The patient is usually aware of what is happening and their surroundings, both during and after a hypnosis session. A session can be offered in-person and remotely, via a service called telemedicine.

“Telemedicine is critical because not every place in the country has somebody qualified or trained to provide this treatment, so it allows us to have a much broader reach for these very common disorders,” Keefer told NBC News.

Studies show more than three quarters of patients experience at least a 50 percent reduction in symptoms. Many are able to stop medication, including popular acid reducing drugs.

Hypnosis optimizes the brain depth function, but it’s not a fix for everyone.

Approximately 15-20 percent of people can’t be hypnotized, said Dr. Olaf Palsson, psychologist and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Fortunately, patients do not have to be highly hypnotizable to benefit from gut-directed hypnotherapy, so many could find relief.

According to gastroenterologist Dr. Rajeev Jain of the American Gastroenterological Association, gut-directed hypnosis therapy can treat functional disorders of the GI tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome, where there is often a large overlay of depression and anxiety disorders. He views hypnotherapy as one form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Lifestyle factors such as diet are also important and should be taken into account.

Today, Ponticelli, who lives outside of Chicago, is back to work as a Pilates instructor, and eating her favorite foods, an activity she had not enjoyed in years. She’s also eating for two. “I’m 17-and-a-half weeks along now and feel good,” said Ponticelli.

She still takes some medications, but adding hypnotherapy to her regimen has been life-changing.

“I’m extremely grateful that I’m actually doing this and I don’t think I would have been able to do anything without this treatment. That’s the real truth of it.”

Neuroscience of Consciousness
12-4-2017
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New directions in hypnosis research: strategies for advancing the cognitive and clinical neuroscience of hypnosis

Summary: This article highlights significant advancements in hypnosis research over the past two decades. Here are the key findings:

1. Clinical Efficacy: Hypnosis has demonstrated efficacy in managing various clinical symptoms and conditions.

2. Brain Regions: Research supports the involvement of specific divisions within the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices in hypnotic responses.

3. Atypical Brain Connectivity: High hypnotic suggestibility is associated with atypical brain connectivity profiles.

4. Research Agenda Recommendations:

• Researchers should carefully assess hypnotic suggestibility in their studies.
• Include participants with moderate hypnotic suggestibility.
• Use research designs that clarify the roles of inductions and specific suggestions.

5. Future Directions:

• Promote data sharing among researchers.
• Shift resources toward studying the efficacy of hypnotic treatments for clinical conditions influenced by central nervous system processes.
• Investigate the neurophysiological underpinnings of hypnotic phenomena.

Understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms of hypnosis and suggestion will enhance our knowledge of basic brain functions and psychological processes. The field should continue to explore these avenues to advance our understanding of consciousness and therapeutic applications of hypnosis.

Congratulations to Charles Leung on his recent appointment as the Specialist Hypnotherapy Chief Instructor of the Greater China Region at The Association for Integrative Medicine. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to him with great pleasure.

As a seasoned practitioner, Charles Leung has consistently demonstrated his commitment to nurturing the next generation of hypnotherapists, workshop facilitators, coaches, and positive parenting advocates. His expertise extends beyond the clinical realm, encompassing pediatric hypnotherapy, inner family systems hypnotherapy, stress and insomnia relief hypnotherapy, and interpersonal hypnotherapy. We commend his holistic approach, rooted in psychodynamic and dialectical behavioral principles, which enhances the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

Charles’s ability to seamlessly integrate hypnosis with MBTI personality theory, DISC behavioral science, coaching methodologies, and positive discipline strategies is commendable. Whether applying hypnosis to sales techniques, facilitating subconscious communication, or assisting children in managing their emotions, his versatility knows no bounds.

Furthermore, his extensive teaching and mentoring experience—spanning over a decade—has left an indelible mark. His tenure as a board member in various NGOs and his leadership roles in corporate training underscore his unwavering commitment to employee development and mental well-being. His insights into workplace psychology have helped resolve operational challenges, while his guidance on holistic career planning has empowered countless individuals.

Lastly, his repertoire of authentic hypnosis stories reflects a profound understanding of the human experience. His emphasis on embracing emotions, navigating life’s challenges, and finding light amidst darkness resonates deeply with those fortunate enough to learn from him.

Charles, as you step into this pivotal role, we trust that your leadership will continue to elevate our institution. May your journey as Chief Instructor be as transformative as the hypnotic states you induce, and may you inspire others to embrace life’s nuances with grace and resilience.

Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact you will undoubtedly make.

May Everyone Experience Healthy Emotional Connections
Interpersonal relationships resemble a web-like structure, where each individual simultaneously plays different roles, such as being a mother and a wife, a colleague and a friend, or a partner and a best friend. Relationships are constantly learning, evolving, and growing; therefore, healthy relationships do not demand perfection. Instead, they strive for effective communication, cooperation, support, and trust amidst imperfections. When faced with disputes, conflicts, communication issues, or emotional distress, it is crucial to understand the other party and find suitable ways to interact, gradually mending broken bridges. Emotions and values constantly influence connections between people. While appearances may seem fine, underlying issues could be prevalent. It is time for a comprehensive check-up of our interpersonal relationships!

Interpersonal Psychology

1. Relationship Building, Interpersonal Attraction, and Interaction Patterns
2. Cognitive Dissonance, Pathological and Healthy Relationships
3. Empathy, Emotional Resonance, and Self-Esteem
4. Establishing Boundaries, Interpersonal Distance, and Communication Patterns
5. Attachment Theory, Social Identity, Family of Origin, and New Families
6. Brain Dynamics in Couples, Romantic Relationships, and Workplace Interactions
7. Behavioral Patterns, Cold Reading Techniques, and Hypnotic Language

Applications of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy

1. Loneliness, Social Addiction, or Social Exhaustion
2. Emotional Neglect and Alienation in Childhood
3. Confused Personal Boundaries and Emotional Blackmail
4. Habitual People-Pleasing and Lack of Boundaries
5. Interpersonal Sensitivity and Social Maladaptation
6. Regret and Apology
7. End-of-Life and Grief
8. Intense Emotions in Relationships
9. Couple and Marital Relationship Issues
10. Family and Parent-Child Relationship Issues
11. Colleague and Team Relationship Issues
12. Senior, Junior, and Friend Relationship Issues
13. Processes for Conducting Hypnosis Workshops to Improve Communication

Washington Post
05-11-2016
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Hypnotherapy can ease some symptoms

When you think about hypnotherapy, it’s probably in the context of a swinging pocket watch and a voice intoning, “You are getting very sleepy.” But neither watches nor sleep are part of hypnotherapy or clinical hypnosis, which is the therapeutic use of hypnosis. Here’s what research suggests — and what you probably don’t know — about this complementary therapy.

You are aware and in control
During hypnotherapy, the practitioner will use words to help you relax deeply, then offer suggestions — through stories or mental images — for coping with your health concerns. Hypnosis does not, as some may fear, put you under the hypnotist’s control or make you unaware of what’s happening around you. In fact, you’re hyperfocused, like being engrossed in a great book or movie.

“Other things fade into the background, so you can more easily respond to therapeutic suggestions,” says Gary Elkins, director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Afterward, you don’t suddenly “come to,” wondering where you’ve been and what you did. Most people recall sessions clearly.

People have varied reactions
Almost anyone can be hypnotized to some extent, but some people are more receptive than others. “There’s a range,” Elkins says. “Most of us are in the middle, about 10 percent are very high and about 10 percent are very low.”

Most studies find that four or five sessions are enough to make a big impact, though people who are in the lower range might need more to get the desired effect, Elkins says. People can often also practice on their own at home if necessary.

It’s no magic bullet, but . . .
Hypnosis seems to be more effective at easing involuntary symptoms, such as hot flashes and pain, than it is at helping people overcome unhealthy habits such as overeating, smoking and drinking. Here’s where the research is strongest:

Irritable bowel syndrome. British researchers first studied the use of hypnotherapy for people with IBS — a disorder characterized by diarrhea, constipation and cramps — in 1984. Those who had treatment reported substantial benefits, while those given a placebo and undergoing psychotherapy didn’t. A recent review confirms those benefits, finding substantial relief reported in all 35 studies analyzed.

Chronic pain. A study of 100 veterans with lower-back pain found that people who underwent hypnosis reported less pain and better sleep than those treated with biofeedback, which can include deep breathing and muscle relaxation. Other research suggests that hypnosis may help ease pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia and other conditions.

Cancer-treatment side effects. Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York investigated whether hypnotherapy helps cancer patients with the pain, nausea and anxiety that often accompany breast cancer surgery. In the study, women undergoing a breast biopsy or lumpectomy who received hypnosis needed less anesthesia and reported less pain, nausea and fatigue than women who did not.

Hot flashes. Elkins trained 187 menopausal women in hypnotherapy. After four weeks, sensations of heat and sweating had dropped by about 70 percent. After three months of hypnotherapy at home with audiotapes, the decrease averaged 80 percent. And many women slept better.

So should you consider it? In some cases, yes, says Marvin M. Lipman, chief medical adviser for Consumer Reports. “In selected patients with certain complaints, hypnotherapy can be a boon and, what’s more, virtually without side effects,” he says.

Stanford Medicine News Center
28-7-2016
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Study identifies brain areas altered during hypnotic trances

Your eyelids are getting heavy, your arms are going limp and you feel like you’re floating through space. The power of hypnosis to alter your mind and body like this is all thanks to changes in a few specific areas of the brain, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered.

The scientists scanned the brains of 57 people during guided hypnosis sessions similar to those that might be used clinically to treat anxiety, pain or trauma. Distinct sections of the brain have altered activity and connectivity while someone is hypnotized, they report in a study published online July 28 in Cerebral Cortex.

“Now that we know which brain regions are involved, we may be able to use this knowledge to alter someone’s capacity to be hypnotized or the effectiveness of hypnosis for problems like pain control,” said the study’s senior author, David Spiegel, MD, professor and associate chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

A serious science
For some people, hypnosis is associated with loss of control or stage tricks. But doctors like Spiegel know it to be a serious science, revealing the brain’s ability to heal medical and psychiatric conditions.

“Hypnosis is the oldest Western form of psychotherapy, but it’s been tarred with the brush of dangling watches and purple capes,” said Spiegel, who holds the Jack, Samuel and Lulu Willson Professorship in Medicine. “In fact, it’s a very powerful means of changing the way we use our minds to control perception and our bodies.”

Despite a growing appreciation of the clinical potential of hypnosis, though, little is known about how it works at a physiological level. While researchers have previously scanned the brains of people undergoing hypnosis, those studies have been designed to pinpoint the effects of hypnosis on pain, vision and other forms of perception, and not the state of hypnosis itself.

“There had not been any studies in which the goal was to simply ask what’s going on in the brain when you’re hypnotized,” said Spiegel.

Finding the most susceptible
To study hypnosis itself, researchers first had to find people who could or couldn’t be hypnotized. Only about 10 percent of the population is generally categorized as “highly hypnotizable,” while others are less able to enter the trancelike state of hypnosis. Spiegel and his colleagues screened 545 healthy participants and found 36 people who consistently scored high on tests of hypnotizability, as well as 21 control subjects who scored on the extreme low end of the scales.

Then, they observed the brains of those 57 participants using functional magnetic resonance imaging, which measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. Each person was scanned under four different conditions — while resting, while recalling a memory and during two different hypnosis sessions.

“It was important to have the people who aren’t able to be hypnotized as controls,” said Spiegel. “Otherwise, you might see things happening in the brains of those being hypnotized but you wouldn’t be sure whether it was associated with hypnosis or not.”

Brain activity and connectivity
Spiegel and his colleagues discovered three hallmarks of the brain under hypnosis. Each change was seen only in the highly hypnotizable group and only while they were undergoing hypnosis.

First, they saw a decrease in activity in an area called the dorsal anterior cingulate, part of the brain’s salience network. “In hypnosis, you’re so absorbed that you’re not worrying about anything else,” Spiegel explained.

Secondly, they saw an increase in connections between two other areas of the brain — the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula. He described this as a brain-body connection that helps the brain process and control what’s going on in the body.

Finally, Spiegel’s team also observed reduced connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the default mode network, which includes the medial prefrontal and the posterior cingulate cortex. This decrease in functional connectivity likely represents a disconnect between someone’s actions and their awareness of their actions, Spiegel said. “When you’re really engaged in something, you don’t really think about doing it — you just do it,” he said. During hypnosis, this kind of disassociation between action and reflection allows the person to engage in activities either suggested by a clinician or self-suggested without devoting mental resources to being self-conscious about the activity.

Treating pain and anxiety without pills
In patients who can be easily hypnotized, hypnosis sessions have been shown to be effective in lessening chronic pain, the pain of childbirth and other medical procedures; treating smoking addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder; and easing anxiety or phobias. The new findings about how hypnosis affects the brain might pave the way toward developing treatments for the rest of the population — those who aren’t naturally as susceptible to hypnosis.

“We’re certainly interested in the idea that you can change people’s ability to be hypnotized by stimulating specific areas of the brain,” said Spiegel.

A treatment that combines brain stimulation with hypnosis could improve the known analgesic effects of hypnosis and potentially replace addictive and side-effect-laden painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs, he said. More research, however, is needed before such a therapy could be implemented.

The study’s lead author is Heidi Jiang, a former research assistant at Stanford who is currently a graduate student in neuroscience at Northwestern University.

Other Stanford co-authors are clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences Matthew White, MD; and associate professor of neurology Michael Greicius, MD, MPH.

The study was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (grant RCIAT0005733), the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (grant P41EB015891), the Randolph H. Chase, M.D. Fund II, the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation and the Nissan Research Center.

Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences also supported the work.

Sarah C.P. Williams
Sarah C.P. Williams is a freelance science writer.