Hypnotherapy
Alternate names: Antenatal Self-Hypnosis, Auto-Hypnosis, Clinical Hypnosis, Cognitive Hypnotherapy, Erikson Hypnosis, Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy, Heterohypnosis, Hypnoanalgesia, Hypnobirthing, Hypnosis, Hypnosis Therapy, Medical Hypnosis, Mesmerism, Mindful Hypnotherapy, Self-Hypnosis
Background
Hypnotherapy is hypnosis used for therapeutic purposes. Hypnosis is a state of mind in which someone has reduced awareness and is responsive to instructions.
It's not clear how hypnosis works. It's been linked to changes in the body, including changes in skin temperature and heart rate. Some of these changes might help the body to relax and reduce feelings of anxiety. Some people may respond better to hypnotherapy than others.
People use hypnotherapy for various types of pain, alcohol use disorder, anxiety, asthma, constipation, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
It's not clear how hypnosis works. It's been linked to changes in the body, including changes in skin temperature and heart rate. Some of these changes might help the body to relax and reduce feelings of anxiety. Some people may respond better to hypnotherapy than others.
People use hypnotherapy for various types of pain, alcohol use disorder, anxiety, asthma, constipation, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
Hypnotherapy is possibly safe when used appropriately. There are no known serious side effects. But hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of treatment with more proven therapies.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough information to know how hypnotherapy might affect breast-feeding. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns when used correctly. Hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
Children: Hypnotherapy is possibly safe when used appropriately. But hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Hypnotherapy is possibly safe when used appropriately. Self-hypnosis has been used during childbirth without any known serious side effects. But hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough information to know how hypnotherapy might affect breast-feeding. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns when used correctly. Hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
Children: Hypnotherapy is possibly safe when used appropriately. But hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Stomach pain. Hypnotherapy seems to help reduce stomach pain in children. But it's not clear which type of hypnotherapy works best.
- A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Hypnotherapy seems to help reduce symptoms of IBS in some adults and children.
- Acute pain. Hypnotherapy might help reduce different types of acute pain in both adults and children.
- Chronic pain. Hypnotherapy seems to help with different types of chronic pain in adults. But it's not clear if it helps in children.
- Pain after surgery. Hypnotherapy may help reduce pain after surgery. But it’s not clear if it helps in children.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Childbirth. Practicing self-hypnosis doesn't seem to help reduce complications during childbirth.
Dosing & administration
Hypnotherapy can be conducted many different ways, including by a trained hypnotherapist, through audio recordings, individually or in a group, or through self-hypnosis. Sessions are usually 30-60 minutes long and may take place weekly or at other intervals for up to 15 weeks.
There is no standard licensing for hypnotherapists in the US, but certifications are granted by multiple organizations. Many different types of hypnotherapy are practiced, including mindful hypnotherapy, Erikson's hypnosis, cognitive hypnotherapy, and gut-directed hypnotherapy. Talk to your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment. Hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
There is no standard licensing for hypnotherapists in the US, but certifications are granted by multiple organizations. Many different types of hypnotherapy are practiced, including mindful hypnotherapy, Erikson's hypnosis, cognitive hypnotherapy, and gut-directed hypnotherapy. Talk to your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment. Hypnotherapy shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 29/12/2022 18:29:15. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
