In popular culture, hypnosis is a punchline. When a strange doctor waves a pocket watch in front of someone’s face, their eyes immediately mist over and they fall into a trance-like state. But in fact, hypnotherapy is poised to become the next health trend. There’s a good reason for that. Science shows that it has surprisingly powerful health benefits. But what exactly is this practice?
What hypnotherapy does
Research shows strong evidence that hypnotherapy can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, increase energy, and break bad habits such as smoking and overeating. And there are some lesser-known health benefits as well. For example, this method could be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, says Peter Warwell, MD, professor of medicine and gastroenterology at the University of Manchester, UK. “Hypnotherapy calms intestinal irritability and reduces the brain’s response to pain,” he explains. Studies have shown that it also relieves other types of acute and chronic pain, such as treating burns, headaches, and lower back pain. (Here’s how hypnotherapy works for weight loss.)
How hypnotherapy works
“Hypnosis brings your consciousness into a state of inward awareness, where you become less aware of what’s around you and more receptive to suggestions,” says a professor of psychology at Baylor University in Texas who conducted clinical experiments. says Dr. Gary Elkins, past president of the Hypnosis Society.
Think of it like being invited into deep meditation. “In this state, you experience hypnotic suggestions as if they were actually happening,” Elkins says. Translation: Even if you are looking at something gray, if you are told that you see red, your brain lights up as if you were seeing red. This teaches your body and brain to enter a certain state, such as relaxation or reduced anxiety, and makes it easier to recreate that state for yourself when you’re fully awake.
how to start
Find a licensed hypnotherapist. The National Board of Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists has a list on its website. Therapists there are mental health and medical professionals who have completed at least 50 hours of classroom instruction in hypnosis. Your goals guide your choices. For example, if you want to treat chronic pain, look for a hypnotist with a medical degree.
I promise I’ll give it a try. Many people notice a difference after just one session, but some may require several sessions to ensure results. Also, some people are more difficult to hypnotize than others, but you won’t know until you try. You will still get benefits, but you will need more sessions than someone who is more responsive.
Do your (hypnotherapy) homework. In between sessions, practice self-hypnosis using an app like Harmony Hypnosis ($8 per month) or by listening to recordings of previous sessions. (You may also want to try these mental health and therapy apps.)
