I have a phobia of needles, I once passed out on the bus because my book was a bit gory, and I just donated an entire pint of blood. I quietly popped into the donation center, laid down on the recliner and stuck out the soft underside of my arm to the nurse. The nurse dutifully inserted the (huge!) needle. Sure, I was anxious and a little nauseous, but I went at it with hypnotherapist Aaron Surtees’ voice ringing in my head.
Surtees and I have never met in person, but I know his deep, soothing voice. For the past few weeks I have been using his hypnotherapy app “Subconscious”. Dozens of pre-recorded hypnosis sessions are available to help users with everything from fighting fear to overcoming bad habits, improving sleep, cutting back on sugar, increasing self-confidence, and even preventing premature ejaculation. (you have to trust him on that).
I wanted to address my fear of needles, so I listened to the “Fear of Needles” session four times. I spent 20 minutes every day laying on the couch with my headphones on and Surtees lulled me into a trance. Each piece begins with her gentle 10-minute preamble, and Surtees leaves the listener feeling so heavily relaxed that they feel like they’re walking down a white marble staircase or lying in a bubble bath.
Once the mind has “closed down” and stray thoughts have been banished, hypnosis begins as Surtees repeats “hypnotic suggestions,” which help retrain thinking. It certainly sounds strange. But it turns out it works. (Importantly, the NHS states that people with mental illness or certain types of personality disorders should not use hypnosis and should check with their GP before starting).
Psychologist Sula Windgassen, Ph.D., says there is sufficient evidence to support the use of hypnosis for a variety of conditions, saying, “Using your phone or computer to access therapeutic tools can be powerfully effective.” added. Hypnosis is not normally available on the NHS. But Dr. Windgassen said DIY apps are likely to be better suited for “high-functioning, well-supported socio-economic people” as external stressors can create barriers to effectiveness. warns. So, how effective is virtual hypnosis actually compared to in-person sessions?
Dr. David Spiegel, a world-renowned clinical research psychiatrist at Stanford University, says virtual may actually be more effective. “This is because when you use an app, you’re in a private environment, like your bedroom, which means you already have some level of comfort around you,” he explains. A growing body of published evidence suggests that hypnotherapy may be effective for people with pain and mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. ing.
Lockdown meant Surtees was unable to meet customers in person, giving him the incentive to launch Subliminal. 12,000 people have downloaded the app so far. Previously, you would have had to visit his clinic in central London and spend around £400 per session, but now you can enjoy a brain boost at the touch of a button. At £89 a month, it’s not cheap, but it’s more affordable than face-to-face sessions.
“This is an investment in myself and is an important part of my daily routine, just like going to the gym,” says Andy Taylor, who has been using Subconscious since its launch last year. Ms Taylor, who works in the finance industry, first visited Surtees in person a few years ago to overcome her debilitating fear of public speaking. Now, when I need a confidence boost, I turn to apps. “It changed my life,” he says. “When I listen to a session before a presentation, the feeling of hopelessness I used to feel disappears.” Taylor also uses it to increase productivity, tuning into recordings like “Procrastination at Work.” Masu. “I see hypnosis as a secret weapon,” he added.
The secret seems to be out – there are now dozens of hypnosis apps available for every wallet size and taste. Reveri, also released last year, is one of his most popular, with hundreds of thousands of users. Make your sessions interactive with voice technology like Alexa for a wallet-friendly £14.99 per month.
Created by Dr. David Spiegel, users are first encouraged to take an in-app “hypnosis effect” test to determine how responsive they are to treatment. This involves Dr. Spiegel rolling his eyes up and then lowering his eyelids, then lifting one of his arms in the air while performing a “hypnotic suggestion.” If his arm starts to tingle, he might be more responsive. My score is he’s only 4 out of 10, which means I find it “moderately hypnotic.” Dr. Spiegel says this doesn’t mean the process won’t work, just that more sessions may be needed. “The more willing you are to engage in hypnosis, the better the results will be,” he added.
Feeling reasonably motivated, I took part in a 6-minute “workout prep” session before a run I wasn’t looking forward to. Spiegel gently told me, “noticing a pleasant sense of anticipation building,” and “remember that my body and mind are a team.” To my delight, I felt more energetic and (slightly) faster as I hit the pavement.
Some people use Reveri to deal with serious problems. Artist Sean* used it to overcome his agoraphobia and says it has changed his life. Although there is no specific session targeted at this problem, he used a session called “Review Workout” and adjusted it to suit him. He sees the act of going outside as a kind of exercise. Dr. Spiegel says imaginative people are the most easily hypnotized and encourages the use of creative apps like this.
Reverie is also popular with people who want to quit smoking or alcohol, or who want to eat more intuitively. “Kicking bad habits is the most requested topic by our community,” Dr. Spiegel said. In fact, according to user data, 75% of people who participate in Reveri’s “smoking cessation” exercises report improvements. Meanwhile, 94% of his members who practiced the interactive “stress reduction” option reported feeling less stressed during one session.
Dr. Spiegel was not surprised by this result. “I have treated over 7,000 patients using hypnosis and have seen the long-term benefits it provides,” he says. “Our goal in creating the app was to allow everyone to benefit from the ease of use of a smartphone and at a fraction of the cost of in-person therapy.”
This idea also inspired Kim Palmer to launch Clementine, a women-focused app that offers sessions on self-esteem, fatigue, and saying no. Palmer, a former marketing director, began seeing a hypnotherapist after experiencing panic attacks.
“It helped me detach from the trauma,” she says. “So when I decided to start my business, that’s what I wanted to focus on.” The recordings, made by trained hypnotherapists, range in length from 2 minutes of “relaxation” to 20 minutes. This can range from minutes of “power nap and recharge.” Many things can be done while walking, using the rhythm of your stride as a reference. At £4.99 per month, it’s the most affordable app I’ve tried. I was impressed with the sleep session. I would listen to this session whenever I was having trouble nodding off, but I would rarely make it to the end.
Anecdotal evidence regarding these apps may be plentiful, but Kevin Sheldrake, a trainee experimental psychologist specializing in hypnosis, has a word of caution. “The apps talk about science in scientific terms, but none of them actually go through a scientific process,” he says. “This is simply a victory of marketing and hope over testing and evidence.”
Other experts say a lack of feedback can be a problem. For example, if a participant cannot understand instructions or becomes distracted, the hypnotist cannot help.
Dr. Spiegel dismisses such skepticism. “In fact, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and you don’t need to be in the room with someone else to feel its effects,” he asserts. “That power is already in your mind. Hypnosis can only help release it.”
