Hypnosis is a popular treatment option for phobias, grief, pain and performance anxiety. Over the years, world-renowned researchers and medical associations have shown the scientifically proven benefits of hypnosis. Since hypnosis was first developed in the 1700s and 1800s, it has risen to become a credible, useful treatment option.

Across the world, medical associations and societies have recognized the scientifically proven benefits of hypnosis. The British Psychological Society issued a report in 2001 that suggested including hypnosis for treatments in medicine and psychiatry. It reported convincing evidence that hypnotherapy could help chronic and acute pain during dental procedures, childbirth and medical surgeries.

In the United States, the American Medical Association has supported hypnosis since 1958. Three years later, the AMA even recommended that medical students complete hypnotherapy training. Meanwhile, the British Medical Association had already been studying hypnosis for decades. Since 1892, the BMA has conducted experiments on hypnosis. By the 1950s, the BMA was convinced that hypnotherapy could work for certain medical and mental conditions.

Benefits of Hypnosis

Today, the American Psychological Association discusses the scientifically proven benefits of hypnosis on its website. It states that it is a valid therapy that can help with anxiety, pain and mood disorders. This technique can help change habits like smoking, drinking or drug use.

Researchers, doctors and psychologists have determined the scientifically proven benefits of hypnosis. For patients, these benefits often relate to mental or physical challenges. The latest science shows that hypnosis can help improve your sleep, ease pain and alleviate different medical conditions.

When it comes to pain, hypnosis has a long research history. Existing research shows that hypnosis helps reduce pain in patients with arthritis, cancer and fibromyalgia. It can even help people who are undergoing surgeries or dental procedures.

Sleep-related disorders lead to fatigue, weight changes and other side effects. Studies show that hypnosis can actually improve the quality of sleep. In a recent Swiss study, researchers measured brain activity in women taking a nap. The women who were most susceptible to hypnotism engaged in 80 percent more slow-wave sleep when they listened to the hypnosis tape. Unlike sleep-inducing medication, hypnosis did not carry any side effects.

While researchers are still unable to cure irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), patients have a new source of hope. In 2003, researchers found that 71 percent of IBS sufferers reported improved symptoms after having weekly hypnosis sessions for three months. Even after treatment ended, 81 percent of those patients reported symptom improvements for six years.

There are many situations that can cause anxiety. Flying, going through surgery or giving birth can all induce anxiety. Since hypnosis can work with the mind, it helps to calm anxiety and reduce fear. Researchers are now looking at how hypnosis can also help people who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder.

Interestingly, hypnosis also has the ability to help postmenopausal women with hot flashes. Women who experienced 50 hot flashes each week or more reported 74 percent fewer hot flashes after 12 weeks of hypnosis. This was more than just the placebo effect since the control group only saw a 17 percent drop in hot flashes.

From pain during childbirth to IBS, hypnosis has been scientifically proven to help a wide range of issues. Across the globe, doctors and scientists are still learning the many ways that this alternative treatment can support patients.