What the research on hypnosis actually shows
40 articles
What trials show about hypnosis for functional neurological disorder (conversion disorder): the two Moene trials, why their results differ, how they compare with larger trials of CBT and physiotherapy, and what remains uncertain.
What randomized trials show about gut-directed hypnotherapy for children with functional abdominal pain or IBS: the 53-child trial, its five-year follow-up, the 260-child CD trial, and what a 2022 review concluded.
What randomized trials of hypnosis before and during medical procedures actually measure: which anxiety scales, which comparison groups, and what the meta-analyses can and cannot tell you.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis for tension headaches and migraines, how the evidence compares with other non-drug treatments, and what remains unclear.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis for test anxiety and performance anxiety, how the evidence compares with established treatments, and what remains unclear.
Why most hypnosis trials lack long-term follow-up, what the few studies with extended data show, and why this gap matters for clinical claims.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis and sleep architecture, subjective sleep quality, and why a suggestion to sleep deeply can backfire.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis for burn pain, procedural distress and wound healing, and how strong the evidence is.
What the evidence shows about using hypnosis alongside medical treatments for pain, nausea, anxiety and recovery, and where it has the strongest support.
What the evidence shows about combining hypnosis with CBT, what the Kirsch meta-analysis found and why the question is harder to answer than it looks.
What research shows about hypnosis audio recordings compared with live therapist sessions, why the gap between market and evidence is so large.
What research shows about whether deeper hypnosis produces better clinical outcomes, and why the concept of depth is harder to define than it seems.
What research shows about who can and cannot be hypnotized, how hypnotizability is distributed and why it matters for clinical outcomes.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for fibromyalgia pain, fatigue and quality of life, and why the evidence remains inconclusive.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for PTSD, why the historical connection is stronger than the evidence and what research gaps remain.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for depression, why the evidence base is so thin and how it compares with established treatments.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for labor pain, why the large SHIP trial found no benefit, and how to read the mixed evidence.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for insomnia, why the sham-controlled evidence is weaker than wait-list results suggest, and a counterintuitive lab finding.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for anxiety disorders, how it compares with CBT and what the evidence gaps are.
What randomized trials and Cochrane reviews show about hypnosis for quitting smoking, why the evidence is weaker than expected, and what the limitations are.
What randomized trials and meta-analyses show about hypnosis for chronic pain, how large the effects are, and what remains uncertain.
What research shows about optimal dose and frequency of hypnosis sessions, why the evidence is thin and what can be inferred from existing trials.
How expectation and response expectancy affect hypnosis research outcomes, why they are difficult to control and what they mean for interpreting trial results.
What research shows about group versus individual hypnosis delivery, why it matters for healthcare systems and what evidence gaps exist.
How hypnosis relates to the placebo effect, why the comparison is more complicated than it seems and what the evidence shows about separating specific from non-specific effects.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis for dental anxiety in adults and children, and how it compares with other anxiety-reduction approaches.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for menopausal hot flashes, why the Elkins trial stands out and what questions remain.
What randomized trials show about gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome, how large the effects are and what the limitations are.
What controlled trials show about hypnosis for nausea and vomiting, particularly in cancer treatment and surgery, and where the evidence is strongest.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for specific phobias, how it compares with exposure therapy and why the evidence base is smaller than expected.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis for warts, eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions, and why the evidence is still limited.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis for athletic performance, the difference between mental imagery and hypnosis, and why the evidence remains preliminary.
What controlled studies show about hypnosis for tinnitus, how effect sizes compare, and why the evidence is still preliminary.
What randomized trials and meta-analyses show about hypnosis for weight loss, why the often-cited 1996 meta-analysis is weaker than it appears, and what gaps remain.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis for dental anxiety, pain during procedures and cooperation in the dental chair.
What a meta-analysis of 50 surgical trials shows about hypnosis for procedural pain, anxiety and recovery, and why prediction intervals matter.
What research shows about hypnosis delivered via video call and other online formats, how it compares with in-person delivery and what gaps remain.
What randomized trials show about hypnosis in children, which pediatric conditions have the most evidence and why the field is limited.
What research shows about hypnotic regression, recovered memories and the memory wars, and why regression therapy is considered harmful.
What research shows about self-hypnosis compared with therapist-delivered hypnosis, why the comparison matters for consumers and what evidence gaps exist.