Fall 2021

Hypnosis: Myths, Misconceptions, and Many Applications for Behavioral Medicine

Morgan Snyder, MA^✉; Integrative Health and Spirituality SIG Communications Co-Chair

What comes to your mind when you think about hypnosis? Do you imagine a stage show with a few of your friends on the stage hunched over in their chairs and barking like dogs? Do you imagine a movie where the hypnotist swings a pendulum and the individual’s eyes begin to swirl? These are examples of how hypnosis is typically portrayed by popular media; however, such images bear little resemblance to hypnosis as applied in clinical practice. In fact, hypnosis is an increasingly common mind-body intervention in behavioral medicine settings, with a growing evidence base for disorders such as pain management, smoking, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnosis that may limit patient and provider comfort with this potentially efficacious treatment tool (APA Division 30, Society of Psychological Hypnosis, 2014). These include:

Myth 1: The individual experiencing hypnosis will lose control

One of the major myths surrounding hypnosis is that the individual will lose control and will be under the control of the hypnotist. This is not true and individuals experiencing hypnosis will be in complete control the entire time! Hypnosis cannot make someone do anything that is not wanted.

Myth 2: The individual experiencing hypnosis will become “trapped” in hypnosis

Another myth surrounding hypnosis is that individuals become “trapped” in hypnosis. This is not accurate, and individuals can voluntarily end hypnosis at any time.

Myth 3: People are unconscious during hypnosis

Individuals experiencing hypnosis are active participants in the hypnosis session and are not unconscious or asleep. It is possible that individuals will feel very relaxed and open to suggestion, however, they are not asleep or unconscious.

Now that we are aware of some of the myths and misconceptions, let’s discuss the facts! Hypnosis is defined as, “A state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion” (Elkins et al., 2015, p. 382). Hypnosis sessions typically involve two phases. The first phase involves an induction, where an individual is instructed to relax and focus their attention. Then, during the application phase, suggestions are given and these suggestions are tailored to treat specific problems or difficulties. For example, for an individual experiencing hot flashes, suggestions may be given for coolness and may include imagery for mountains or snow. Hypnosis has many applications for behavioral medicine and can be used to target symptoms, conditions, and behaviors. For example, research has demonstrated that hypnosis can be beneficial for:

Reducing pain
Reducing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Improving sleep
Smoking cessation
Reducing hot flashes
Reducing stress

And more!

Next time you hear about hypnosis, instead of imagining a stage show or movie, picture an effective mind-body intervention that can be utilized to treat many symptoms and conditions!

Are you interested in learning more about hypnosis? Check out the professional organizations below for further information, training opportunities, webinars, and workshops:

Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis

APA Division 30: Society of Psychological Hypnosis

For more information about mind-body interventions and spiritual practices, follow the Integrative Health and Spirituality SIG on Twitter at @sbmintegrative or tweet using the hashtag #IntegrativeSBM! You can also join our SIG email listserv by logging into your member profile, selecting the Professional tab, and selecting the box for the Integrative Health and Spirituality SIG from the dropdown menu.

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