Does Hypnosis Really Work? The Research Says It's Time to Take It Seriously
Updated: Sep 24
It's winter in Australia, and during this season, we farmers gather around bonfires. Yes, it took me years and some serious belief-shedding to be able to call myself that. But that's a story for another post.
As I sit by the beautiful flames, a few questions arise: Is hypnosis even real? Does it really work? Depending on my mood and the audience, I explain how and why it does. Sometimes at length. Sometimes not.
The shortest, funniest answer I've ever given came at the end of a long night. I'll get to it. But first, let's delve into the science, because it has become impossible to ignore.
Does Hypnosis Really Work? Here's What the Research Shows
For a long time, hypnosis has faced a reputation problem.
It’s strange to think about a practice that the Celts and Egyptians used for healing thousands of years ago. It survived for millennia, only to be undermined by a man in a top hat with a pocket watch.
However, something is shifting in the research community, and it’s worth paying attention to, especially if you’re navigating pain, anxiety, or a body that feels increasingly hard to live in.
Researchers have been running clinical trials on hypnosis for decades. What’s changing now is the quality and volume of that evidence, combined with brain-imaging technology that allows scientists to observe what happens inside the brain during hypnosis. Here’s what they’re finding.
During hypnosis, activity increases in the central executive network, the part of the brain responsible for regulating attention and focus. At the same time, this network starts communicating more with the insula, which processes signals from the body and plays a central role in how we perceive threat, pain, and discomfort.
In short, the thinking, regulating part of your brain becomes better at overriding the alarm signals your body sends. Before you dismiss this as mere placebo, know that it’s an actual, measurable neurological change.
Pain, IBS, Anxiety, and Depression
The most robust evidence so far revolves around pain and gut issues, which is especially relevant given that women are disproportionately affected by both.
A study involving 1,000 people with hard-to-treat irritable bowel syndrome found that 67% reported a significant reduction in abdominal pain after hypnotherapy. Out of around 30 clinical trials on hypnosis and IBS, most showed meaningful improvement.
On the mental health side, a 2021 meta-analysis found that adding hypnosis to cognitive behavioural therapy improved outcomes for 66% of patients dealing with depression, pain, or obesity. A Belgian government scientific advisory body concluded that hypnosis enhances the effectiveness of standard treatments for anxiety and depression, not as a replacement, but as a valuable addition.
French hospitals have been using hypnosis alongside anaesthesia since 2015, across all 30 university hospitals.
It is also being utilized in surgeries. French hospitals have been employing hypnosis alongside anaesthesia since 2015, resulting in patients using less morphine. Operations took less time, and recovery was smoother.
Closer to home, a child health nurse mentioned that Perth hospitals use hypnosis in paediatric operations to reduce the amount of anaesthesia given to children. This is not a fringe experiment; it’s already happening in mainstream hospital settings, including here in Western Australia.
Why Haven't You Heard More About This?
Partly, hypnosis is hard to monetise. There’s no pill. No patent. No pharmaceutical company funding large-scale trials or lobbying for it to become standard care.
As one researcher put it, if hypnosis were a drug, it would be standard care. But it isn’t a drug, so the financial incentives that typically drive medical adoption simply don’t exist.
There’s also a regulation issue. In most countries, anyone can call themselves a hypnotist. This has made it easy to lump legitimate clinical hypnotherapy in with charlatanism, allowing the medical establishment to maintain its distance.
What This Means for You
If you’re managing chronic pain, anxiety, IBS, or the emotional weight of perimenopause and midlife, and you’ve been told there’s not much else to try, hypnosis is worth taking seriously.
Not the stage version. Clinical hypnotherapy, delivered by a trained and accredited practitioner, works with the brain’s existing capacity to regulate what you feel and how you interpret it.
Back to the Bonfire
Someone asks, Is hypnosis even real?
Here’s what I ask them in return:
Have you ever looked at adult content, a magazine, or a video and felt something? Physically, in your body.
Most people say yes.
So I ask: How? That person wasn’t there. Nothing was happening to you in reality. Yet your mind produced a response, and your body followed.
That is exactly how hypnosis works. Your mind responds to what it imagines. Your body responds to your mind. What hypnotherapy does, and what the clinical evidence increasingly supports, is use that same mechanism, deliberately and precisely, to change a response that isn’t serving you.
I mean, there is more to it. But that is the black-and-white explanation. It’s not magic. It’s not a party trick. It’s your brain doing what it already does, just pointed in a better direction.
The Transformative Power of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool for transformation. It allows us to explore the depths of our minds and uncover the roots of our challenges. By tapping into our subconscious, we can address issues that may have been buried for years.
Imagine being able to let go of self-doubt and embrace your true potential. Hypnotherapy can help you achieve that. It’s not just about relaxation; it’s about empowerment.
Embracing Change
Change can be daunting. But it’s also a chance for growth. Hypnotherapy offers a gentle path towards embracing change. It encourages us to confront our fears and insecurities, allowing us to emerge stronger and more resilient.
As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s essential to remember that we have the power to shape our experiences. Hypnotherapy can guide us in this journey, helping us to create a life that feels more aligned with who we truly are.
Hypnosis is not just a fleeting trend; it’s a legitimate therapeutic practice backed by science. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by chronic pain, anxiety, or the emotional challenges of midlife, consider exploring clinical hypnotherapy. It may just be the key to unlocking a more confident, aligned version of yourself.
Let’s embrace this journey together. After all, we deserve to live our lives fully and authentically.
