By Mac E. Lancaster, BS, Aneesh Nudurupati, and Ran D. Anbar, MD

Although some people may shroud their understanding of hypnosis in mysticism, the science behind the practice is profound. Hypnosis can be used as a tool to deliver therapy that allows a person to relax, detach from feelings of self-consciousness, and take on a mindset of suspended judgment (Jiang et al., 2017). Thus, they can better direct their attention internally, and become more apt to accept suggestions from the self or a practitioner (Williamson, 2019).

In this reflective state, people can use their imagination to their advantage. For instance, you can picture a pleasant environment to remain calm that can allow for better physical and emotional control.

The majority of people can receive and benefit from suggestions (Elkins, 2021). Reliable tests such as the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scales are the gold standard for measuring “hypnotizability” (Vanhaudenhuyse et al., 2019)

Research has shown the efficacy of hypnosis in treating conditions such as pain, anxiety, depression, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome (Jensen et al., 2015a). There are also many case reports showing its efficacy for treating eating disorders (Walsh, 2008), OCD (Proescher, 2010), phobias (Anbar et al., 2023), shortness of breath (Anbar, 2001), and substance use disorder (Orman, 1991), though research is necessary to validate whether observations made with individual people can be reliably generalized.

This blog will dive into the neurology behind hypnosis and the intricate relationship between the human mind and body that facilitates therapeutic interaction.

Sensory hypnotic experiences involving sight, sound, and touch activate the same regions of the brain specific to those senses (Williamson, 2019). When you visualize a calming environment and mentally engage your senses, your brain is stimulated as if you were there. Even hypnotically induced pain activates the same large network of brain regions normally triggered by something physical, leading to perceived pain (Derbyshire et al., 2004).

Just as easily as the imagination can make mentally experienced sensations feel real, it also has the potential to increase feelings of anxiety. Some people with anxiety unintentionally use their imagination to picture anxiety-provoking situations, leading to even more anxiety.

This means that certain chemicals associated with feeling stress, like epinephrine, may be produced and enter the bloodstream, based on an imagined threat even if the person is not in a real-life fight-or-flight situation (Williamson, 2019).

Significant changes in muscle strength can also result from mental training without physical exertion (Slimani et al., 2016). Physiological responses of increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration have been recorded as a result of imagining exercising (Slimani et al., 2016).

In one study, after 12 weeks of performing mental muscle contractions, two experimental groups showed significant changes in either elbow or finger strength, respectively, compared to the control group (Ranganathan et al., 2004). By repeatedly attempting to mentally activate certain muscle groups, communication is thought to be strengthened between the central nervous system........

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