The North American Menopause Society studied various non-hormonal therapies for alleviating hot flashes. They found solid evidence using randomized controlled trials that hypnosis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) were effective treatments for these symptoms. Strong evidence was found that exercise, yoga and acupuncture did not work; studies of over-the-counter herbal therapies show that they were unlikely to be effective and were not recommended. In their report of September 2015, the investigating panel recommended the two mind-body approaches hypnosis and CBT as effective treatments for menopausal symptoms.
Sunday, October 04, 2015
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Hypnosis and stress - research results
In
2013, research at UCLA in Los Angeles studied the effect of an hypnosis
programme designed to improve reactions to work and life stress. To monitor the
effect of hypnosis, the level of the cytokine IL-6 in the blood was measured in
eleven participants before and after the programme. IL-6 is a protein released
in response to stress including infection burns and trauma. Over a period of 12
weeks a significantly lower level of IL-6 was observed. Participants also reported
a significant decrease in negative and pessimistic thinking and an improvement
in eating/nutritional habits.
Reported in
Reported in
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Fluid nature of memory explains success of hypnotherapy in overcoming phobias
Memories are not held securely in the brain. Every time they are recalled to consciousness they have to be re-installed, thus allowing the possibility of memory change in the process. (New Scientist 3 May 2003). This was followed by the following comment on 24 May:
The model of memory recall in which a consolidated memory becomes fluid when recalled and may then be reconsolidated in an altered form helps explain the success that hypnotherapy and neurolinguistic programming achieve in removing entrenched phobias, often in single sessions. The therapist guides the patient in a relaxed state to recall the circumstances linked to fear, in a way that avoids the fear reaction - for example, by visualising the situation as a distant picture, or a film that can be run backwards and forwards, chopped up and destroyed. The memory may be altered by adding someone the patient trusts, or by associating it with funny music. An imaginative therapist conjures up many ways of removing the fear and a wide variety of phobias may be removed by these seemingly simple techniques. Fear of flying, motorways or meeting people seem more common these days than the traditional spider phobia, but all are removed by reconsolidation of the memory
The model of memory recall in which a consolidated memory becomes fluid when recalled and may then be reconsolidated in an altered form helps explain the success that hypnotherapy and neurolinguistic programming achieve in removing entrenched phobias, often in single sessions. The therapist guides the patient in a relaxed state to recall the circumstances linked to fear, in a way that avoids the fear reaction - for example, by visualising the situation as a distant picture, or a film that can be run backwards and forwards, chopped up and destroyed. The memory may be altered by adding someone the patient trusts, or by associating it with funny music. An imaginative therapist conjures up many ways of removing the fear and a wide variety of phobias may be removed by these seemingly simple techniques. Fear of flying, motorways or meeting people seem more common these days than the traditional spider phobia, but all are removed by reconsolidation of the memory
Monday, July 27, 2009
Exam results improved with hypnosis
119 students at a South African University were divided into 4 test groups. One group received hypnosis and relaxation treatment; a second group received hypnosis only. A third group received relaxation only and the fourth group received no special treatment. The treatment was carried out between April and June examinations. The improvement in test results was significantly greater for the two groups receiving hypnosis than for the control groups.
reported in American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Oct 2006
reported in American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Oct 2006
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Research shows effect of hypnosis on weight loss
In six separate weight-loss studies involving over 100 subjects, weight loss using hypnosis was compared with weight loss without hypnosis. At the final assessment of these studies conducted for various periods of time, the average weight loss without hypnosis was 6 lbs per person compared with an average weight loss of nearly 15 lbs with hypnosis. Moreover, continued weight loss experienced after treatment was significantly greater with hypnosis than without.
Reported in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1996
Reported in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1996
Friday, July 17, 2009
Painless childbirth with hypnosis
Catharine Fox, wife of hypnotist Patrick Fox gave birth to their third child Chanel on Christmas Day without the need for any pain relief. Patrick says that the basic response to pain is tension, and that magnifies unwanted sensations. Hypnosis can help you to reinterpret pain so that when the feeling of contraction reaches the brain, instead of pain and fear, you feel relaxed and in control.
Reported in the Daily Mail, 7 February 2006 also in the Galway Advertiser 12 January 2006
Reported in the Daily Mail, 7 February 2006 also in the Galway Advertiser 12 January 2006
Monday, June 08, 2009
Controlling fibromyalgia pain with hypnosis
The effect of hypnosis on the experience of fibromyalgia pain in a number of subjects was studied while using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Suggestions with hypnosis and the same suggestions without hypnosis were used to increase or decrease the subjective experience of fibromyalgia pain. Patients reported significantly greater pain control and pain reduction when hypnotised. The MRI scan confirmed that activation of brain areas was of greater magnitude when suggestions followed a hypnotic induction.
Reported in the European Journal of Pain, May 2009
Reported in the European Journal of Pain, May 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Hypnotherapy and ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a nasty gastrointestinal disease that flares without warning and makes it vital for sufferers to find the toilet fast. The disease is often diagnosed when people are in their late 20s and early 30s. The flare-up is like having a severe stomach bug that can drag on for weeks. It ruins vacation plans, causes lengthy absences from work and generally messes up peoples' lives
The National Institute of Health in USA is funding a study of the effect of hypnotherapy on 80 patients over three years. The study is at an early stage, but Laurie Keefer, a clinical health psychologist and assistant professor of medicine, said that the preliminary results look positive. Ten of the twelve patients who have competed a year's treatment have not experienced a relapse and subjects reported a 76 percent increase in the quality of their lives (the improvements were most notable in their bowel symptoms) compared to a 25 percent increase for standard care.
Keefer reported that one patient who was afraid to stand up at a friend's wedding is now going to be a bridesmaid and the patient who was nervous about getting on a plane with the boss is now taking business trips with him.
reported in scienceblog May 2009
The National Institute of Health in USA is funding a study of the effect of hypnotherapy on 80 patients over three years. The study is at an early stage, but Laurie Keefer, a clinical health psychologist and assistant professor of medicine, said that the preliminary results look positive. Ten of the twelve patients who have competed a year's treatment have not experienced a relapse and subjects reported a 76 percent increase in the quality of their lives (the improvements were most notable in their bowel symptoms) compared to a 25 percent increase for standard care.
Keefer reported that one patient who was afraid to stand up at a friend's wedding is now going to be a bridesmaid and the patient who was nervous about getting on a plane with the boss is now taking business trips with him.
reported in scienceblog May 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Hypnotherapy an effective treatment for IBS
25 patients suffering from IBS were treated with hypnotherapy and the effect was assessed by comparison with 25 patients suffering a similar degeee of IBS who received no such treatment. Patients treated with hypnotherapy reported significantly less severe abdominal pain, bloating, bowel habit, nausea, flatulence, urinary symptoms, lethargy and backache than the control patients. In addition hypnotherapy profoundly improved the patients' quality of life and reduced absenteeism from work.
Reported in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, February 1996
Reported in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, February 1996
Saturday, May 23, 2009
London Zoo offers hypnosis to cure fear of spiders
Millions of perfectly rational people are terrified of spiders, according to London's famous Zoo. No matter how much they try to calm themselves the response remains the same: sweating, nausea, panic, rapid, heartbeat and worse. So the Zoo offers a "Friendly Spider Programme" using a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy. They
have achieved an 80% success rate in over 2000 people who have taken the course.
have achieved an 80% success rate in over 2000 people who have taken the course.
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