Hypnosis

Other common name(s): Hypnotherapy, Hypnotic Suggestion

Scientific/medical name(s): None

Description

Hypnosis is a state of restful alertness during which a person uses deeply focused concentration. The person can be relatively unaware of, but not completely blind to, her or his surroundings, and may be more open to suggestion. It is considered to be a type of complementary therapy.

Overview

Hypnosis is one of several relaxation methods that has been approved by an independent panel, convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as a useful complementary therapy for treating chronic pain. Hypnosis may also be effective in reducing fear and anxiety, reducing the frequency and severity of headaches, and controlling bleeding and pain during dental procedures. There is no scientific evidence that hypnosis can influence the development or progression of cancer. However, it can help to improve the quality of life for some people with cancer.

How is it promoted for use?

Practitioners say that hypnosis creates a state of deep relaxation, quiets the conscious mind, and leaves the unconscious part of the mind open to suggestions that can help to improve health and lifestyle. People who are hypnotized have selective attention and are able to concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling, or sensation while blocking out distractions.

Hypnosis is commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety, and create a sense of well being. It can also be used to change undesirable behaviors, such as smoking, alcohol dependency, and bedwetting. It may also be used to overcome common fears, such as the fear of flying or of meeting people. Hypnosis is sometimes used to relieve pain caused by cancer. Supporters do not claim that hypnosis can cure cancer or any other disease, or that it always results in the desired effects. However, they say that it can be a useful addition to conventional therapy for some conditions.

Hypnosis is occasionally used instead of anesthetic drugs during minor surgical and dental procedures, and during childbirth. Some supporters also believe hypnosis not only speeds recovery after an operation, but that it can also reduce the amount of surgical bleeding and enhance the body' s immune system.

What does it involve?

There are many different hypnotic techniques. One method involves leading patients into a state of hypnosis by talking in gentle, soothing tones, and describing images meant to create a sense of relaxation, security, and well being. People under hypnosis may appear to be asleep but they are actually in an altered state of concentration and can focus intently when asked to do so by the hypnotherapist. While a patient is under hypnosis, the hypnotherapist may suggest specific goals, such as pain control, more peaceful emotions, and less stress, fear, or anxiety.

Contrary to what many believe, people under hypnosis are not under the control of the Hypnotherapist. They cannot be made to do something they do not want to do. Quite the opposite is true. Hypnosis is used to help patients gain more control over their behavior, emotions, and even physical processes that cause problems for them. People cannot be hypnotized unless they wish to be, and not everyone can be put into a hypnotic trance. Success depends upon whether the patient is willing and receptive to the idea of hypnosis. Some people can enter into a deeper hypnotic state than others, and are said to be more hypnotizable. With training, many people can learn to hypnotize themselves. This is called self-hypnosis or auto hypnosis.

What is the history behind it?

Hypnosis and hypnotic suggestion have been a part of healing practices for thousands of years. The word comes from the Greek, "hypnos," which means sleep. The use of trance-like states along with helpful suggestions were important features of the early Greek healing temples. Variations of those techniques were practiced throughout the ancient world.

Modern hypnosis can be credited to the Viennese physician, Franz Anton Mesmer, who believed that imbalances in magnetic forces in the human body were responsible for illness. Mesmer applied a therapy, which he called mesmerism, involving the use of tranquil gestures and soothing words to relax patients and restore the balance to their magnetic forces. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychotherapy, found hypnosis useful for treating hysteria, but later abandoned the practice after observing that he stirred up powerful emotions within his patients.

Eventually, the notion of using a state of altered awareness gained greater acceptance in conventional Western medicine. Today, hypnosis is used widely in the United States and other Western countries. People who practice hypnosis are generally licensed, and are often trained in several psychological techniques.

What is the evidence?

Many reports demonstrate that hypnosis can help patients reduce blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and pain. Hypnosis can create relaxing brain wave patterns, and help change behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and overeating. It can eliminate or decrease the strength of phobias. Research has also shown that hypnosis can help control anticipatory nausea and vomiting. (After a few doses of chemotherapy have caused nausea or vomiting, some people have nausea or vomiting just before the next dose is to be given. This is called conditioned or anticipatory nausea or vomiting). Hypnosis appears less likely to help nausea and vomiting that happen after chemotherapy. According to a report from the NIH, there is evidence that hypnosis can relieve some kinds of pain from cancer.

Another NIH report, which reviewed several scientific studies, showed that women under hypnosis before childbirth had shorter labors and more comfortable deliveries. According to the report, hypnosis may also enhance the immune system. The report looked at one study that found that hypnosis raised the levels of immunoglobulin (an important part of the immune system) in healthy children. Another study reported that self-hypnosis led to an increase in white blood cell activity. The NIH report also looked at twelve different controlled studies: One showed that hypnosis reduced the intensity or frequency of migraine headaches in children and teenagers. Another study on chronically ill patients found a 113% increase in pain tolerance among highly hypnotizable subjects versus those who were not hypnotized. According to the NIH report, the reasons why hypnosis causes these changes are not well understood.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

Emotional distress may happen in some situations. People who have certain types of mental illness should not be hypnotized. Hypnosis done under the care of a trained hypnotherapist is generally considered safe as a complementary method.

Additional Resources

More Information from Your American Cancer Society

The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

• Guidelines for Using Complementary and Alternative Methods
• How to Know What Is Safe: Choosing and Using Dietary Supplements
• American Cancer Society Operational Statement on Complementary and Alternative Methods of Cancer Management

References

Aetna InteliHealth.Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis. Available at http://www.intelihealth.com. Accessed 3/31/05.

Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons. A Report to the National Institutes of Health on Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1994. NIH publication 94-066.

Astin JA, Shapiro SL, Eisenberg DM, Forys KL. Mind-Body Medicine: State of the Science, Implications for Practice. Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 2003; 16:131-147.

Cassileth B. The Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co; 1998.

Levitan AA. The use of hypnosis with cancer patients. Psychiatr Med. 1992;10:119-131.

Newell SA, Sanson-Fisher RW, Savolainen NJ. Systematic Review of Psychological Therapies for Cancer Patients: Overview and Recommendations for Future Research. JNCI. 2002;94:558-584.

NIH Technology Assessment Panel. Integration of behavioral and relaxation approaches into the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia. JAMA. 1996;276:313-318.

Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.