A Sampling of Clinical Studies in Hypnotherapy

General Application

Jensen MP, Adachi T, Hakimian S. “Brain Oscillations, Hypnosis, and Hypnotizability.” Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(3):230-253. doi: 10.1080/00029157.2014.976786. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4361031/

Knafo G, Weinberger J. “Exploring the Role of Conscious and Unconscious Processes in Hypnosis: A Theoretical Review.” Brain Sci. 2024 Apr 12;14(4):374. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14040374. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38672023/

1998-2025 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Hypnosis Overviewhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hypnosis/about/pac-20394405#:~:text=In%20particular%2C%20it%20may%20ease,problems%2C%20dental%20procedures%20and%20headaches

Williamson A. “What is hypnosis and how might it work?” Palliat Care. 2019 Jan 31;12:1178224219826581. doi: 10.1177/1178224219826581. PMID: 30728719; PMCID: PMC6357291. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30728719/

Sutton, Jeremy Ph.D. “Does Hypnotherapy Really Work? 10+ Scientific Findings,” Jan 22, 2021 https://positivepsychology.com/hypnotherapy/

Weir, Kristin. “Uncovering the new science of clinical hypnosis: With decades of data and new research supporting its effectiveness, practitioners are embracing hypnosis to treat certain conditions,” Monitor on Psychology, Vol 55, No. 3 (April 1, 2024). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/04/science-of-hypnosis

Olendzki, N., Elkins, G. R., Slonena, E., Hung, J., & Rhodes, J. R. (2020). “Mindful Hypnotherapy to Reduce Stress and Increase Mindfulness: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.”International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 68(2), 151–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2020.1722028. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/00207144.2020.1722028?scroll=top&needAccess=true

Academic Performance & Test Anxiety

De Vos, H. M., & Louw, D. A. (2006). The effect of hypnotic training programs on the academic performance of students.The American journal of clinical hypnosis, 49(2), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2006.10401562

Hammer, C. M., Scholz, M., Bischofsberger, L., Hammer, A., Kleinsasser, B., Paulsen, F., & Burger, P. H. M. (2022). Positive effects of medical hypnosis on test anxiety in first year medical students.Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 59(4), 472–482. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2021.1886971

Pachaiappan, S., Tee, M. Y., & Low, W. Y. (2023). Hypnosis interventions for reducing test anxiety among students: A systematic review. Cogent Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2023.2281745

Creativity

Ashton, M. A., & McDonald, R. D. (1985). Effects of Hypnosis on Verbal and Non-Verbal Creativity.International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 33(1), 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207148508406632

Bowers, K. (1968). Hypnosis and creativity: A preliminary investigation. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 16(1), 38–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207146808407532

Executive Function / Resilience

Queirolo, L., Boscolo, A., Cracco, T. et al.Hypnosis reshapes multilevel stress response and enhances executive performance in stressed medical students. Sci Rep16, 8844 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40770-6

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Nervous Stomach

Gonsalkorale, W. M., Houghton, L. A., & Whorwell, P. J. (2002). Hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome: a large-scale audit of a clinical service with examination of factors influencing responsiveness. The American journal of gastroenterology, 97(4), 954–961. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2002.05615.x

Häuser W (2024) Gut-directed hypnosis and hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: a mini-review. Front. Psychol. 15:1389911. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1389911

Whorwell, P. J., Prior, A., & Faragher, E. B. (1984). Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable-bowel syndrome. The Lancet, 324(8414), 1232–1234. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(84)92793-4

Memory

Barnier, A. J., Cox, R. E., & Savage, G. (2008, October 7). Hypnosis, memory and the brain. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hypnosis-memory-brain/

Fligstein, D., Barabasz, A., Barabasz, M., Trevisan, M. S., & Warner, D. (1998). Hypnosis enhances recall memory: A test of forced and non-forced conditions.American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 40(4), 297–305. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00029157.1998.10403441

Schmidt, B., Böhmer, J., Schnuerch, M., Koch, T., & Michelmann, S. (2024). Post-hypnotic suggestion improves confidence and speed of memory access with long-lasting effects. Acta Psychologica, 245, 104240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104240

Procrastination

Crăciun, B., Holdevici, I., & Crăciun, A. (2012). The efficiency of Ericksonian hypnosis in diminishing stress and procrastination in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. European Psychiatry, 27(Suppl. 1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-9338(12)75303-8

Public Speaking

Ilmi, J., Suharsono, Y. Y., & Ingarianti, T. T. M. (2017). Self-hypnosis training to improve self confidence in students for speaking in public. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Education and Training (ICET 2017) (pp. 140–145). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/icet-17.2017.23

Sleep Issues

Chamine, I., Atchley, R., & Oken, B. S. (2018). Hypnosis Intervention Effects on Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 14(2), 271–283. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6952

Elkins, G. (2024). Clinical Hypnosis Intervention for Improving Sleep Quality: Emerging Research and Future Directions.International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 72(2), 91–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2024.2321103

Lam, T. (2013). Hypnosis for insomnia: An exaggerated myth or an underrated intervention?Sleep Medicine, 14(Suppl. 1), e176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2013.11.412

University of Zurich. (2014, June 2). Hypnosis extends restorative slow-wave sleep, research shows. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140602094944.htm

Sports Performance

Li, Z., & Li, S. X. (2022). The Application of Hypnosis in Sports. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 771162. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771162

Miró, A., Mesperuza, M., Jensen, M. P., Day, M. A., García, F., & Miró, J. (2025). Therapeutic hypnosis and sports performance: A systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2025.2512535

Stress Reduction

Benarfa, I., Oudghiri, D. E., Mountaj, N., El Hessni, A., Mesfioui, A., & Ahyayauch, H. (2025). The Benefits of Hypnosis Support in Stress Management for First-Year Students at the Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques, Rabat. Psychiatry International, 6(3), 103. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6030103

Fisch, S., Brinkhaus, B., & Teut, M. (2017). Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress - a systematic review. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 17(1), 323. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1806-0

Leo DG, Keller SS and Proietti R (2024) “Close your eyes and relax”: the role of hypnosis in reducing anxiety, and its implications for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Front. Psychol. 15:1411835. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1411835

Trichotillomania

Cohen, H. A., Barzilai, A., & Lahat, E. (1999). Hypnotherapy: an effective treatment modality for trichotillomania. Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992), 88(4), 407–410. https://doi.org/10.1080/08035259950169783

Rodolfa, E. R. (1986). The Use of Hypnosis in the Multimodal Treatment of Trichotillomania: A Case Report. Psychotherapy in Private Practice, 4(2), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1300/J294v04n02_09