What the Research Says About Hypnosis

A major 2024 review looked at more than 20 years of hypnosis research, including 49 separate meta-analyses and 261 randomized controlled studies. The goal was to see whether hypnosis really works and whether it is safe.

The findings were encouraging. Across a wide variety of medical and psychological conditions, hypnosis generally produced positive results. More than half of the reported outcomes showed moderate to large improvements, suggesting that hypnosis can be a valuable tool in healthcare and mental health treatment (Rosendahl et al., 2024).

Researchers found the strongest evidence for using hypnosis to help people who are:

• Experiencing pain

• Undergoing medical or dental procedures

• Coping with anxiety related to treatment

• Living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Managing symptoms of depression, insomnia, or post-traumatic stress

• Trying to stop smoking or lose weight

Some of the largest benefits were seen in children and adolescents, particularly for reducing pain, fear, and distress during medical procedures (Rosendahl et al., 2024).

Hypnosis and Pain Relief

One of the most consistent findings was hypnosis's ability to reduce pain. Studies found benefits for both acute pain, such as pain during medical procedures, and chronic pain conditions. Researchers concluded that hypnosis can be a safe and effective alternative or complement to medication-based pain management (Thompson et al., 2019).

Is Hypnosis Safe?

The review found very little evidence of harm from hypnosis. Serious adverse effects were essentially nonexistent, and minor side effects were rare. One study examining adverse events in clinical hypnosis trials found no serious hypnosis-related complications and very few minor reactions (Bollinger, 2018).

This strong safety record makes hypnosis an attractive option for many people seeking additional ways to manage symptoms and improve well-being.

Who Benefits Most?

While many people can benefit from hypnosis, research suggests that people who respond more easily to hypnotic suggestions often experience greater improvement. Studies also found that outcomes may be stronger when clients learn self-hypnosis techniques in addition to working with a trained professional (Rosendahl et al., 2024).

Bottom Line

The current scientific evidence supports hypnosis as a safe and effective therapeutic tool for many physical and emotional concerns. The strongest evidence exists for pain management, reducing distress during medical procedures, and helping children cope with medical treatments. Research also supports its use for IBS, anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD symptoms, smoking cessation, and weight management. While more research is still needed, hypnosis has earned a place among evidence-based treatment approaches.

References

Bollinger, J. W. (2018). The rate of adverse events related to hypnosis during clinical trials. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 60(4), 357-366. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2017.1315927

Rosendahl, J., Alldredge, C. T., & Haddenhorst, A. (2024). Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: A 20-year perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1330238. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238

Thompson, T., Terhune, D. B., Oram, C., Sharangparni, J., Rouf, R., Solmi, M., Veronese, N., & Stubbs, B. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 99, 298-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.013