Hypnosis, long veiled in mystique and misconceptions, is emerging as a scientifically validated tool with profound therapeutic potential. This article explores how clinical hypnosis, once regarded as a fringe practice, has become a mainstream technique in modern psychotherapy, supported by decades of rigorous research. From pain management to behavioural change, the evolving science of hypnosis offers fresh insights into how the mind can be harnessed to heal.
The Power of Hypnosis in Changing Behaviour
The American Psychological Association’s Division 30 defines hypnosis as “a state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterised by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion.” In practice, this means that under hypnosis, individuals experience a heightened ability to focus, which can lead to significant changes in perception and behaviour. Studies have shown that when suggestions are given in this highly focused state, individuals may act upon them with a sense of urgency that feels involuntary.
Amanda Barnier demonstrated this in her experiments. She found that people under posthypnotic suggestion felt an external compulsion to act, such as mailing daily postcards, unlike others who acted out of social obligation. This shift in personal agency—where the action feels driven by an external force rather than internal motivation—is one of the key factors that makes hypnosis so effective.
The Science of Focused Attention
Hypnosis alters the way individuals process information by directing their attention in powerful ways. It creates a state where the brain becomes highly receptive to suggestions. Unlike meditation, which emphasises nonjudgmental awareness, hypnosis actively guides people toward change, making it a more targeted intervention for specific issues like anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.
Guy Montgomery uses hypnosis in his work with cancer patients to reduce pain, highlighting its ability to not only manage suffering but also facilitate psychological shifts. The conscious experience is edited in these contexts, allowing individuals to perceive and interact with their reality differently.
Groundbreaking Research on Hypnotic Suggestion
Studies disrupting automatic cognitive processes have evidenced the profound effects of hypnotic suggestion. Amir Raz demonstrated that hypnosis could eliminate the Stroop effect – a task where colour names and font colours conflict. Under hypnotic suggestion, participants could focus solely on the font colour, bypassing the usual interference from the word’s meaning. This research underscores how hypnosis can override automatic behaviours through top-down cognitive control.
David Spiegel further illustrated the power of suggestion by showing that individuals, under hypnosis, could perceive colour in grayscale images. Brain scans confirmed that their color-processing brain regions were activated despite the lack of actual color in the images. These findings reveal how hypnosis can reshape sensory perception and point to its potential in therapeutic applications.
Hypnotisability: Who Can Be Hypnotised?
While some people are highly responsive to hypnosis, nearly everyone can benefit to some degree. Hypnotisability, or the ease with which someone can be hypnotised, follows a bell curve, with around 20% of people being highly susceptible, while most fall somewhere in the middle. Even individuals with lower hypnotisability scores can achieve significant results with repeated sessions or practice.
Gary Elkins, PhD, has shown through his research that hypnosis can even benefit people with lower hypnotisability. In a study of menopausal women, those undergoing hypnotherapy saw a significant reduction in hot flashes compared to those in a control group. This suggests that clinical hypnosis, when used consistently, can help a wide range of individuals, regardless of their initial responsiveness.
Expanding the Horizons of Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is proving to be a versatile adjunct in treating various psychological and physical conditions. Research shows that it enhances cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), increasing its effectiveness for conditions like depression and chronic pain. Studies also demonstrate that hypnosis improves sleep quality and reduces anxiety more effectively when combined with other interventions.
In the realm of pain management, hypnosis stands out as one of the most thoroughly researched applications. Whether for chronic pain or procedural pain, clinical hypnosis has been shown to significantly reduce discomfort, providing patients with relief that goes beyond traditional medical interventions.
The Future of Hypnosis in Clinical Practice
As hypnosis continues to shed its reputation as a mysterious or fringe therapy, more clinicians are embracing it as an evidence-based tool. Its ability to alter perception, manage pain, and promote behavioural change positions it as a powerful adjunct to psychotherapy.
With growing research, hypnosis is poised to play a larger role in modern medicine. From managing chronic health conditions to enhancing mental well-being, the science of hypnosis is ushering in a new era of mind-body healing.
