Hypnosis was once a widely used therapeutic tool and has a long and fascinating history. It was used to treat World War I veterans suffering from shell shock, offering a powerful alternative to traditional treatments. However, by the 1940s, hypnosis was largely sidelined. This shift happened as new pharmaceutical treatments for conditions like depression and anxiety began to take centre stage.
For much of the 20th century, medical professionals who continued using hypnosis alongside other treatments often found their practices on the fringes of mainstream medicine. Experts like Dr. David Spiegel (an American Psychiatrist at Stanford University School of Medicine) have shared how his use of hypnosis was often viewed with scepticism, despite its benefits.
Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in hypnosis as new areas of research shine a light on its potential. Studies in the fields of neuroscience and psychoneuroimmunology are helping to reframe how we think about hypnotherapy. With growing evidence supporting its effectiveness, hypnosis is slowly making its way back into medical and therapeutic practices, offering a promising complement to traditional treatments.
Throughout the 20th century, research has greatly improved our understanding of how the brain works. Early models of brain function have evolved into a deeper understanding of how different areas of the brain work together in networks. Today, experts recognize up to seven key brain networks:
1. Sensorimotor System: Controls touch, hearing, and movement.
2. Visual System: Handles sight and visual processing.
3. Limbic System: Regulates emotions, motivation, and memory.
4. Central Executive Network: Manages higher-level thinking and decision-making.
5. Default Mode Network: Responsible for introspection and imagination.
6. Salience Network: Helps with attention and switching between internal and external thoughts.
7. Dorsal Attention Network: Keeps focus on tasks that require external attention.
These networks are made up of different brain areas working together, enabling complex activities like language. As our understanding of these brain networks grows, it has influenced how we think about the brain, mind, and consciousness. It’s now widely accepted that the brain’s circuitry isn’t fixed; it adapts and changes throughout life based on how we interact with the world around us.
Research on human decision-making behaviour is helping us better understand how the brain works in two different ways. This idea, first introduced by Kahneman and Tversky (who were awarded the Nobel prize in Economic Sciences), suggests that we use two modes of thinking: one that’s quick, intuitive, and emotional (System 1) and one that’s slower, more logical, and deliberate (System 2).
The traditional Western view of human rationality, based on the ideas of philosopher Immanuel Kant, is being challenged by studies showing that much of our thinking and decision-making is influenced by emotions. Jonathan Haidt’s important research in social psychology argues that our reasoning is rooted in feelings, with logic often used afterward to justify our gut reactions. This view fits well with Kahneman’s and Tversky’s idea of the two systems of thinking.
These insights into how we think give more insight to the subconscious mind. Additionally, new research is looking into the role of glial cells (which seem to communicate without traditional synapses) and the gut-brain connection (known as the enteric nervous system), which could provide even deeper insights into how our mind works.
The field of hypnotherapy research has not been as well funded as other areas of psychotherapy and there is a smaller base of robust research, but this situation is improving. The research base has been sufficient for hypnotherapy to be recommended as an NHS-funded treatment for irritable bowel syndrome under the NICE clinical guidelines. The field of research is growing, partly due to the wider range of cost-effective research methods to study what the brain is doing in real-time, non-invasively. A recent study by Gillebrand and Froerer using electroencephalogram readings shows how solution focused talk followed by hypnosis activates brain regions associated with creative thinking. And a recent evaluative study of the use of solution focused hypnotherapy, which is offered as a therapeutic service within the Northumbria police force, measured clinical and quality of life outcomes using standardised clinical scales and demonstrated a high level of efficacy by the end of treatment and at follow up (Barney, et al 2024).
As our understanding of the brain and mind continues to evolve, hypnosis seems poised to reclaim its place as a powerful and scientifically supported tool in modern therapeutic practices.
References:
Assen Alladin & Jon Amundson (2016) Cognitive Hypnotherapy as a Transdiagnostic Protocol for Emotional Disorders, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64:2, 147-166, DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2016.1131585
Barney, E., Treby, E., Johannes, G., & Seymour, K. (2024). Understanding how online solution–focused hypnotherapy can support the wellbeing of police personnel and treat symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Police Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X241228493
Gillebrand, R & Froehrer A S (2022) The Brain and the Impact of Solution Focused Questions. The Brain and the Impact of Solution Focus Questions | SFiO.org
Kahneman, D (2011) Thinking Fast and Slow. Penguin: London.