Clinical Hypnosis is a very safe and effective treatment,

but this type of therapy has suffered from a lot of misinformation and misrepresentation within the general culture. It is perfectly normal to have questions, and the FAQ section below has been compiled to answer some of the more common ones!

What is hypnosis?

In basic terms, hypnosis is simply a naturally occurring state of highly focussed attention.

If you have ever become so engrossed in a good book or movie that you forgot about the world around you for a period of time, then you have experienced a hypnotic state. If you have driven home on 'autopilot' while your mind was elsewhere, you have experienced a hypnotic state. It is as safe as it is natural.

Hypnosis is not a loss of self-control. It actually enhances your self-control by allowing you to positively alter the relationship between your mind and body, so you can live a more rich, full, and more meaningful life.

Is it safe?

There are a lot of misunderstandings related to what hypnosis is, how it feels, and what it can do. Much of this confusion has been perpetuated by sensationalist media outlets. These unhelpful views have become exaggerated over time. Hypnosis is a scientifically proven process we all experience naturally in everyday life and is therefore very safe.

Is it ‘real’?

The only exposure many people have had to hypnosis is through stage-hypnosis shows and through over-the-top media representations. It is understandable people might therefore think that hypnosis is 'all for show', playacting, or just some form of social coercion. This is not the case.

Recent developments in brain science show that the hypnotic state is very real. Studies have shown that when highly hypnotisable people are put in brain scanners (whilst hypnotized), specific parts of the brain 'light up' and these parts correlate with the feeling states people typically associate with hypnosis (increased absorption, increased mind-body connection, and decreased negative 'self talk').

The hypnotic state is real, and you can learn how to leverage this brain state to make positive and long-lasting changes in your life.

What is it useful for?

Hypnosis has a great many clinical indications, and the list below is by no means exhaustive. The evidence basis is strongest for the following conditions:

• Quitting smoking

• Depression

• Weight loss

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Performance enhancement (professional athletic and academic)

• Psychosomatic conditions

• Autoimmune disorders (Irritable bowel Syndrome, skin conditions)

• Bruxism

• Pain management

• Sleep issues and insomnia

• Pregnancy-related Stress

• Asthma

• Phobias (fear of heights, dogs, planes, dentistry, public speaking etc.)

  
  

How does Psychedelic therapy overlap with Clinical Hypnosis?

Psychedelic psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy share some similarities in terms of their mechanisms of action and therapeutic goals. Both modalities aim to facilitate psychological and emotional healing by accessing and working with the unconscious mind.

One of the main overlaps between psychedelic psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy is their ability to induce altered states of consciousness. Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA have been shown to produce profound alterations in consciousness that can facilitate insight, emotional processing, and transformative experiences (Carhart-Harris & Friston, 2019). Similarly, hypnosis can induce a trance state that allows for increased suggestibility, heightened sensory awareness, and reduced self-consciousness (Lynn & Kirsch, 2006).

Both psychedelic psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy can also be used to treat a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promising results in clinical trials for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction (Carhart-Harris et al., 2018; Johnson et al., 2019; Ross et al., 2016). Similarly, hypnotherapy has been used to treat a variety of psychological and physical conditions, including anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome (Jensen et al., 2015; Kohen et al., 2007; Tan et al., 2019).

I am a mental health professional, I would like to learn this powerful modality - does Dr Campbell offer training ?

Yes - there is a ten week intensive course designed for mental health professionals aimed at developing core competencies in the delivery of effective clinical hypnosis

Make an Appointment

References

Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Friston, K. J. (2019). REBUS and the anarchic brain: Toward a unified model of the brain action of psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 71(3), 316-344.

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Bolstridge, M., Rucker, J., Day, C. M. J., Erritzoe, D., Kaelen, M., ... & Nutt, D. J. (2018). Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology, 235(2), 399-408.

Jensen, M. P., Barber, J., Hanley, M. A., Engel, J. M., & Romano, J. M. (2015). A comparison of self-hypnosis versus progressive muscle relaxation in patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63(1), 1-14.

Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., Cosimano, M. P., & Griffiths, R. R. (2014). Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(11), 983-992.

Kohen, D. P., Zajac, R., & Roehrs, T. (2007). Hypnotherapy for nocturnal enuresis. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 3(7), 729-734.

Lynn, S. J., & Kirsch, I. (2006). Essentials of clinical hypnosis: An evidence-based approach. American Psychological Association.

Ross, S., Bossis, A., Guss, J., Agin-Liebes, G., Malone, T., Cohen, B., ... & Su, Z.

Disclaimer

Any and all of the information contained in the mind manifest podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of psychotherapy, medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No practitioner-patient /doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to in this podcast is at the user's own risk. Any unsolicited contact made by listeners via the website is done so at the listener’s discretion, and whilst any information shared within the body of such messages sent is treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect, no duty of care is initiated or inferred on the part of Niall Campbell or any of his associates. If you are in significant medical distress, reach out to relevant services via this website - it has resources that cover the globe. It has been made very clear throughout the website that Niall Campbell is not a medical doctor, and he does not play one on the internet - the content on this podcast is therefore not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Listeners should not disregard or delay acting upon or obtaining medical advice from their own clinicians. Any and all of the information and opinions expressed by guests are theirs alone, we seek to give a diverse range of people an opportunity to speak extemporaneously and therefore reserve the right to make space for guests whose values or medical opinions we may not totally agree with. The aforementioned disclaimers also extend to our guests.