Why We Need to Take Hypnosis Seriously

Why We Need to Start Taking Hypnosis Seriously

More than ever, people are losing faith in conventional medicine and looking for alternative options to solve their health problems thanks to the prevalence of misinformation, discrimination, distrust in big pharma, and the lack of personalized care. One alternative that’s often overlooked? Hypnosis. Yes, it's taboo — but it shouldn't be.

What exactly is hypnosis?

It’s simply a state of relaxed focus — and “there’s nothing woo woo or weirdo about it,” says Leora Kuttner, PhD, a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia. Hypnotherapy utilizes “therapeutic suggestions” to reframe the brain's perception and response to certain symptoms. For example: during hypnotherapy for pain, a therapist might tell you to envision turning down an imaginary pain knob. Leading medical orgs have recognized hypnotherapy as a legitimate treatment since 1958. 

The benefits — and drawbacks 

Hypnosis has struggled to catch on: In a 2012 survey, only 0.1% of respondents said they used it. But hypnotherapy is rare in that it’s both drug-free and backed by research. It’s been found to help control pain, alleviate digestive conditions, make childbirth more manageable, treat anxiety, improve menopause symptoms, and combat insomnia.

Drug-free doesn’t equal risk-free, however. Experts don't recommend hypnosis for people with severe mental health conditions or substance abuse issues. It can also be manipulative in the wrong hands, so it’s important to find the right practitioner and establish boundaries, says Elvira Lang, MD, a former associate professor at Harvard Medical School and founder of Comfort Talk. 

Your move

If you're new to hypnosis, it's best to work with a pro (though DIY hypnosis is a thing). Sessions can cost $75 to $125 on average and generally include four stages: 

1. Induction: You might be told to focus on your breath or imagine a calming setting.

2. Deepener: You’re guided to deepen the relaxation, maybe by counting down or imagining yourself sinking into bed. 

3. Suggestions: The therapist will use specific words or techniques to help guide you toward your goals. 

4. Emergence: The therapist brings you out of hypnosis, sometimes by counting up.

Read more about the health benefits of hypnosis. 

We asked you to vote on a question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Does taking antibiotics impact my future immunity?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Arik Alper, MD

A pediatric gastroenterologist at Yale Medicine

“Taking antibiotics would not [negatively] impact your immune system. The purpose of antibiotics is to kill bacteria. If you need antibiotics, you need to take antibiotics. 

“Many people take antibiotics when they don't need to. When people take [them] too often, the bacteria can outsmart [them], and then you'll get the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics … and you're at risk of the bacteria leading to an infection you cannot fight.”

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. You can read the full story here.

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Credentials: A body-positive registered nutritionist and certified personal trainer

Where to follow: @healthy_with_kelsey on Instagram and TikTok 

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