What Is Special About Clinical Hypnosis?
- Natalia Yusenis
- Feb 10
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Have you ever wondered how hypnosis has transformed from an ancient art into a scientifically supported tool for therapy? Once cloaked in mystery and often dismissed as a party trick or dramatic stage act, hypnosis has evolved into a powerful, evidence-based approach embraced by professionals worldwide. This fascinating blend of art and science merges psychology and neuroscience to unlock new paths to healing and self-discovery. Backed by decades of research, clinical hypnosis is now recognised for its ability to ease pain, reduce anxiety, combat depression, and improve sleep. By shifting how we feel about and respond to our own actions, hypnosis bypasses the overthinking and resistance that often make change feel difficult. Instead, it creates a sense of ease, as if desired behaviours naturally fall into place. In this blog, we’ll explore how hypnosis works, its proven benefits, and why it’s time to give this age-old practice a fresh look in the modern world of psychotherapy and personal growth.
What is Clinical Hypnosis?
Clinical hypnosis is a therapeutic technique that guides individuals into a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, enabling meaningful changes in perception, behavior, and emotion. Unlike meditation, which encourages acceptance of the present moment without judgment, hypnosis actively facilitates transformation by working directly with the subconscious mind to reframe experiences and modify responses.
To better understand clinical hypnosis, consider these definitions from reputable sources:
American Psychological Association, Division 30: "A state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion."
Mayo Clinic: "A trance-like state in which you have heightened focus and concentration. It is usually done with the help of a therapist using verbal repetition and mental images."
Harvard Medical School: "Hypnosis has been used in Western medicine for more than 150 years to treat everything from anxiety to pain, from easing the nausea of cancer chemotherapy to enhancing sports performance."
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis: "An altered state of consciousness that facilitates changes in perception, memory, and the regulation of emotion and physiology."
The effectiveness of hypnosis varies from person to person, a concept known as hypnotisability. Research shows that about 10% to 20% of people are highly responsive to hypnotic suggestions, while a similar percentage are less responsive. Most people fall somewhere in between and can still benefit from hypnosis with practice or additional sessions. Interestingly, studies have found that highly hypnotisable individuals have stronger connections between brain networks responsible for attention and executive control, allowing them to focus deeply and block out distractions during hypnosis.
According to Gary Elkins, PhD, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Baylor University, “Highly responsive people may see quicker results, but almost anyone can be a good candidate for clinical hypnosis.” Even those who are less naturally responsive can achieve meaningful outcomes with more sessions or practice. Elkins’s research further supports that hypnosis can benefit a wide range of individuals, regardless of their level of hypnotisability.
The Power of Hypnotic Suggestion
Two fascinating studies demonstrate just how powerful hypnotic suggestion can be. The first, led by Amir Raz, PhD, a cognitive neuroscientist at McGill University, explored how hypnosis could influence the Stroop effect—a common psychological test. Normally, when people are asked to name the color of a word written in a different-colored font (e.g., the word "blue" written in red), their brains struggle, leading to slower responses and more errors. However, when highly hypnotizable participants were hypnotized and instructed to focus only on the font color and ignore the word itself, this interference effect disappeared entirely. This groundbreaking study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry (Vol. 59, No. 12, 2002), has been replicated many times. More recent research using EEG confirmed that while hypnosis alone didn’t eliminate the Stroop effect, posthypnotic suggestions did (Zahedi, A., et al., Neuropsychologia Vol. 96, No. 1, 2017).
In another remarkable experiment, David Spiegel, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, and his team explored how hypnosis affects perception. Participants were hypnotized and told to see color in grayscale images. Amazingly, brain scans revealed activity in the color-processing regions of their brains, even though the images contained no color. This study, published in The American Journal of Psychiatry (Vol. 157, No. 8, 2000), provides strong evidence of hypnosis’s ability to alter perception at a neurological level.
Both studies focused on individuals classified as “highly hypnotisable,” meaning they respond quickly and strongly to hypnotic suggestions. Research shows that these individuals have increased communication between two key brain networks: the central executive network, which handles decision-making and memory, and the salience network, which identifies and prioritizes important information. This enhanced connectivity, as shown in Archives of General Psychiatry(Vol. 69, No. 10, 2012), likely explains why highly hypnotizable people can focus their attention so effectively during hypnosis. “We believe their brains are better at directing attention to specific tasks or suggestions during hypnosis,” explains Afik Faerman, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in Spiegel’s lab.
These studies highlight the incredible potential of hypnosis to influence cognition and perception, offering a glimpse into how this tool can create profound changes in behaviour and thought.
How Clinical Hypnosis Works in Therapy
By combining focused attention, therapeutic suggestions, and the brain’s natural adaptability, clinical hypnosis offers a transformative approach to addressing psychological and physical challenges. Whether for pain relief, stress management, or habit change, hypnosis stands as a scientifically supported practice with broad applicability.
For a deeper understanding of how hypnosis is applied in clinical settings, you might find this Mayo Clinic discussion insightful:
Hypnosis serves as a bridge between traditional psychotherapy and innovative behavioral interventions. By inducing a trance-like state, therapists can bypass conscious resistance and directly address subconscious patterns. Here’s why this matters:
Focused Attention: Hypnosis reduces mental noise, allowing clients to focus on therapeutic suggestions.
Increased Suggestibility: In this state, individuals are more receptive to positive changes, like quitting smoking or managing stress.
Enhanced Neuroplasticity: Hypnosis helps rewire the brain, forming new neural pathways that support desired behaviors.
Unlike mindfulness, which encourages nonjudgmental awareness, hypnosis empowers individuals to actively change unwanted behaviours or perceptions.
Who Benefits from Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is not just about relaxation or mind tricks—it’s a powerhouse tool that complements traditional therapies. Research has revealed its incredible potential for improving sleep, managing stress, and even helping people quit smoking. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2018) highlighted hypnosis as a promising treatment for sleep problems. Similarly, another review in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (2019) found it to be an excellent option for addressing depression.
It’s clear hypnosis has an important role to play as an adjunctive approach to psychotherapy. Think of it as the secret ingredient that enhances the overall effectiveness of traditional therapy.
For example, pairing hypnosis with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) takes outcomes to the next level. Research spanning over 30 years shows that when combined with CBT, hypnosis has a statistically significant advantage in managing depression and pain (International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2021). It’s the perfect duo, amplifying results far beyond what CBT can achieve alone.
And it doesn’t stop there. Anxiety reduction is another area where hypnosis shines. When combined with other psychological interventions, hypnosis is far more effective at alleviating anxiety than when used on its own (International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2019).
Whether it’s helping you sleep better, feel calmer, or tackle deeper issues, hypnosis has the power to elevate your journey to wellness. Ready to explore how hypnosis can work for you? Learn more about my hypnotherapy services here.
How Hypnosis Impacts the Brain
The science of hypnosis is fascinating and complex, influencing different parts of the brain depending on its goal—whether it’s reducing pain, improving memory, or altering perception. Devin Terhune, PhD, a cognitive neuroscientist at King’s College London, explains, “There isn’t a single brain region involved in hypnotic suggestion because the experiences in hypnosis are as diverse as the people experiencing them.”
However, researchers have identified key brain networks involved in hypnosis:
The Central Executive Network: Handles attention and decision-making.
The Salience Network: Helps prioritize important information.
The Default Mode Network: Associated with daydreaming and self-reflection.
During hypnosis, the activity in the default mode network decreases, creating space for fresh thoughts and perspectives. As Michael Lifshitz, PhD, from McGill University, says, “It’s like letting your usual ways of thinking relax, allowing new possibilities to emerge.”
Hypnosis and Cognitive Flexibility
Hypnosis also enhances cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt and embrace change. Research by Faerman and Spiegel shows that highly hypnotizable individuals are better at letting go of old habits and responding to new suggestions, making them especially receptive to hypnosis.
However, high hypnotisability isn’t without risks. Studies by Terhune suggest that individuals with high suggestibility may be more vulnerable to dissociative conditions, like PTSD. This highlights the importance of using hypnosis ethically and responsibly to ensure it remains safe and effective.
The Future of Hypnosis
The future of hypnosis is bright, with innovations like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) potentially enhancing its effectiveness. Early studies suggest that targeting specific brain regions could amplify hypnotic responses, opening the door to more personalized therapies.
Additionally, hypnosis is becoming more accessible through apps like Reveri and platforms like Mindset Health, offering tools to manage stress, reduce pain, and address menopause symptoms from home.
Despite its association with stage tricks, hypnosis is a proven therapeutic tool. As Faerman states, “Not learning about it is a mistake for clinical psychology. This tool can improve patients’ lives in a safe and evidence-based way.” If you’re curious about how hypnosis can help you, explore my hypnotherapy services today.
Unlock the Potential of Hypnosis for Your Journey
Whether you’re curious about trying hypnosis for personal growth or want to explore its therapeutic benefits, the new science of hypnosis offers exciting possibilities. As a certified RTT hypnotherapist, I guide clients through transformative journeys, helping them unlock their potential and embrace change.
Are you ready to experience the power of clinical hypnosis? Let’s explore how this proven approach can help you achieve your goals.
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