Mystical-type experiences can be induced through techniques like hypnosis and meditation. These experiences are common in near-death experiences (NDEs) and have been linked to paranormal beliefs. This study explored auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) as a method to induce mystical-type experiences and NDE outside of life threatening situations (NDE-like), as well as examining the influence of factors like religious/spirituality practices, and paranormal beliefs. Twenty-seven participants capable of self-inducing AICT were studied. Before the experiment, their religious/spirituality practices and paranormal beliefs were assessed. Participants underwent five conditions: rest, rest with auditory stimulation, imagination, AICT, and AICT with auditory stimulation. Experience intensity, mystical-type experiences, and NDEs-like were measured before and after AICT and rest. Results showed that AICT induce mystical-type experiences more frequently (29%) compared to the rest condition (0%). More specifically, the intensity of the experience and features of NDEs-like during AICT were linked to mystical-type experiences during AICT only. This is the first study to demonstrate that AICT can induce mystical-type experiences in healthy individuals.

In the 1970s, researchers and theoreticians of states of consciousness jointly discussed hypnosis and psychedelic alterations of consciousness, but recent research has mostly kept these topics apart. This paper discusses the similarities and differences of hypnosis and psychedelic alterations of consciousness, stressing that states of consciousness should not be defined by their preceding contexts. Predictors of positive responses to psychedelics (e.g. absorption and openness to experience) also predict hypnotic responsiveness. Most experiential changes (e.g. changes in bodily sensations and image, increased simple and complex imagery, and transcendent phenomena) produced by psychedelics are also reported within minimal suggestion hypnosis by highly responsive participants. Yet, there are differences in single sessions in that, as compared with hypnosis, psychedelic experiences typically last longer, are less controllable but more intense, and might produce more negative outcomes but also have a greater potential for positive long-term effects. Hypnosis, psychedelic research, and clinical work can enrich each other and should be more integrated than has been the case recently.

This study investigates the relationship between hypnotizability inside and outside hypnosis. Hypnotizability reflects one's responsiveness to hypnotic suggestions. Imagery vividness seems to be crucial for hypnosis, but the empirical data are inconsistent. We tested 56 participants using the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) for outside hypnosis (trait) imagery, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) inside hypnosis for state imagery, and the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS) for hypnotizability. No significant correlation was found between hypnotizability and trait imagery ( = 0.13). However, moderate correlation was found between hypnotizability and state imagery during hypnosis ( ≈ 0.45). These results suggest that while there might be no or negligible relationship between general imaginative capacity (trait imagery), and hypnotizability, the ability to engage in vivid imagery in specific contexts (state imagery) is associated with higher hypnotic susceptibility. This highlights the importance of context in imaginative abilities during hypnosis and suggests that situational engagement in imagery, rather than a stable trait, influences hypnotic responsiveness.

Alterations in consciousness have long been used to enhance creativity. Here, we focus on the ways in which hypnosis and psychedelics alter consciousness to enhance creativity, drawing on both research and first-hand accounts. The research utilizes standard measures of creativity as well as assessments of artistic, musical, and work-related problem-solving ability. First-hand accounts of scientific discovery offer individual perspective on creativity via personal experience. Various mechanisms of how altered states may enhance creativity are explored including the roles of positive mood, flow, heightened senses, tapping into the unconscious, variations in thought processes (i.e. the Dynamic Framework of Thought Theory), and spiritual inspiration. Finally, limitations and future directions are addressed.

Severe postoperative pain can lead to chronic pain and long-term opioid use, increasing the risk of addiction. This study evaluated the feasibility and effects of therapeutic hypnosis (TH) compared to standard care (SC) on postoperative pain and opioid use in shoulder replacement surgery. Sixty-four out of 96 eligible participants were enrolled. Forty-nine completed the study; 25 received TH, and 24 received SC. TH participants listened to a hypnosis audio recording starting 7 days prior to surgery. Ninety-seven percent adhered to the treatment by accessing the recording at least once before surgery, and 90% reported satisfaction with the intervention. TH reported lower pain intensity than SC participants pre- and postoperatively, with medium effect size differences at Day 10. Additionally, TH participants used half as much opioid medication during the immediate postoperative period (Days 1-3) compared to SC participants. The TH intervention appears feasible, and conducting a fully powered clinical trial appears warranted.

The potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic, mystical experiences, and peak spiritual experiences are of increasing interest among clinicians, researchers, and the public. Several studies have proposed potential parallels between the altered states of consciousness associated with psychedelics and hypnosis. Although there has been increased interest in psychedelics, mystical experiences, hypnosis, and non-ordinary states of consciousness, much remains unknown. The present special issue addresses many of these questions, such as: What are the similarities and differences in hypnotic and psychedelic contexts? What is the clinical utility of mystical experiences that may be facilitated without drugs? Do suggestion effects play a role in psychedelics? Can mystical experiences be induced through hypnosis and meditation? What is the potential of psychedelic and hypnosis to enhance creativity and spiritual inspiration/growth? The reader will find thought provoking answers to these questions and deepen knowledge of the intersections among psychedelics, mystical experiences and hypnosis.

Chronic pain is a health issue for millions of people and costs billions of dollars in health care and work productivity. Medical interventions, while sometimes beneficial, often fail, and issues surrounding opioid analgesics constitute a significant concern. Hypnosis has shown great promise in reducing suffering from chronic pain, but it is often applied incorrectly or insufficiently to address this problem. This article discusses using a biopsychosocial model for managing pain centered on hypnosis, based on recent publications. We present eight modules of psychotherapy informed by hypnosis, meditation, and motivational interviewing. The modules include a biopsychosocial assessment, motivational interviewing, cognitive interventions, hypnosis, meditation, activity, psychological factors, and sleep. We stress that a linear progression through the modules is not expected. Further, the proportion of attention to each module will vary from patient to patient. The ultimate goal of this approach is to manage rather than cure pain, and successful treatment outcomes focus on increased movement, productivity, and overall life satisfaction rather than solely pain reduction.

This case study explores the successful treatment of severe ornithophobia in a 25-year-old woman, referred to as Emma, through a novel hypnotic intervention that integrates mindfulness and autogenic training. Emma's chronic fear of pigeons had significantly impacted her professional life. The Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult (SMSP-A) was used to assess her level of phobia pre- and post-intervention, as well as at a 6-month follow-up. Emma's hypnotizability was measured using the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale - Form C (SHSS:C). Following a single hypnotic session, Emma experienced accidental physical contact with a pigeon. This incident activated the resourcefulness response elicited during hypnosis, leading to an instant healing of her phobia. This positive outcome not only persisted but showed further improvement at follow-up. Additionally, Emma resumed her university studies and overcame her driving phobia. These findings suggest that the intervention was efficacious in treating Emma's ornithophobia and promoting her overall personal growth. The study provides a comprehensive account of the intervention and discusses its implications for treatment.

Chronic illnesses require a multifaceted treatment approach, and clinical hypnosis has shown promise as a complementary intervention. This scoping review maps the evidence on clinical hypnosis for chronic illness management, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and scoping review framework by Arksey and O'Malley's (2005), a systematic search in PubMed and Scopus identified 16 RCTs involving adults with conditions such as fibromyalgia, cancer, obesity, and heart disease. Studies were conducted primarily in Europe and the USA, with sample sizes ranging from 20 to 169, predominantly among middle-aged adults. Hypnosis interventions varied, including relaxation induction, positive imagery, and self-hypnosis, often combined with therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Positive outcomes were found in pain reduction, emotional distress, quality of life, sleep, and fatigue, particularly among patients with fibromyalgia and cancer. This review underscores the potential of clinical hypnosis to reducing pain and enhancing well-being. However, the methodological heterogeneity across studies highlights the need for more rigorous research to optimize hypnosis-based interventions for chronic conditions.

The resurgence of interest in psychedelics has led to their widespread, and often uncritical, promotion within both popular media and scientific communities. This heightened enthusiasm complicates assessments of the neurocognitive effects of psychedelics as well as their efficacy as adjuncts to psychotherapy. A key challenge for this nascent field involves understanding how suggestion effects can both act as a significant confound in research on psychedelics but also improve outcomes in therapeutic interventions. By critically examining how suggestion effects operate within psychedelic experiences, we aim to draw greater attention to their role as a source of bias but also as a tool that can be leveraged to maximize therapeutic benefits. We argue for more careful consideration of, and rigorous experimentation into, the role of suggestion effects in response to psychedelics.

Mystical experiences (MEs) are often profound and transformative encounters with a transcendent reality. Reported across many cultures and religions, these experiences are commonly characterized by a sense of unity, transcendence of time and space, positive mood, ineffability, and a noetic quality. Theoretical models have emphasized psychological, neurological, and sociocultural explanations to account for their positive effects on individuals, and psychometric tools have been developed to offer standardized methods to assess experience intensity and impact. MEs indicate significant potential in clinical psychology and have demonstrated psychotherapeutic benefit in the treatment of various conditions. We propose a novel conceptual framework to guide future use of MEs in therapeutic contexts, as interest in the mystical realm exponentially grows. The framework centers around the ME itself highlighting a requisite non-ordinary state of consciousness to foster intensely felt experiences occasioning profound psychological impact. The framework posits that MEs require three pre-state factors: invitation, context, and individual aptitude. After experiencing an ME, a necessary mediating factor in experiencing beneficial change is the process of integration.

Pediatric interventional radiology procedures often use general anesthesia to manage pain and anxiety, but general anesthesia carries risks. Medical hypnosis, a noninvasive technique, has shown potential, though its application in pediatric interventional radiology is underexplored. This pilot study compared medical hypnosis and general anesthesia in pediatric interventional radiology, focusing on pre- and post-procedural anxiety and overall patient experience. The mean age of the medical hypnosis group was higher than the general anesthesia group. Post-procedural anxiety was significantly lower in the medical hypnosis group compared to the general anesthesia group ( = .003). Additionally, the overall patient experience was rated higher for medical hypnosis ( = .037). Medical hypnosis offers a viable, noninvasive approach to reducing procedural anxiety and enhancing the patient experience in pediatric interventional radiology. Larger-scale studies are needed to validate these findings and optimize medical hypnosis implementation.

The purpose of the present study is to determine feasibility and acceptability of a standardized hypnosis-oriented intervention for a mystical experience based on a conceptual framework including cognitive expectancy, demand characteristics, the induced hypnotic state, and the role of hypnotizability. Ten college student participants provided informed consent and underwent a hypnosis-based exercise designed to facilitate a mystical experience. The hypnosis-oriented intervention was provided in a setting similar to that used in psychedelic drug research. All participants were in the mid-to-high range of hypnotizability. Results revealed that the hypnosis-oriented intervention was feasible and acceptable based on a composite acceptability score of 9.45 and no dropouts. All participants indicated that they would participate again if given the opportunity. Additionally, 70% of participants met criteria for a "complete mystical experience" as measured by the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30). While these results are encouraging, additional research is needed, including replication with a larger sample.

This study evaluates the comparative effectiveness of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (EH) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addressing prolonged grief among university students in Istanbul. Transitioning through critical developmental phases, 39 students who had experienced significant loss and demonstrated symptoms of prolonged grief participated in this randomized controlled trial. They were divided equally into three groups: those receiving EH, those undergoing CBT, and a control group placed on a waiting list. Assessments utilized the Prolonged Grief Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory to measure the interventions' impact on grief. Findings revealed significant improvements in both EH and CBT groups compared to the control, with EH showing marginally higher effectiveness in reducing grief symptoms. This research underlines EH's potential as a culturally adaptable and effective treatment for prolonged grief in a diverse academic setting, advocating for its broader application and further exploration across various populations.

Despite its benefits, hypnosis remains underutilized in dental practice, largely due to misconceptions. This study assessed its use and perception among dentists in German-speaking countries. A validated questionnaire was distributed to a total of 1,081 members of hypnosis societies in Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, yielding 271 replies (response rate: 25.1%). Of these, 57.6% were retired or nearing retirement, and only 10% had graduated in the past 15 years. Most (64.2%) first encountered hypnosis during postgraduate training, while 91.1% supported its inclusion in pre-graduate dental curricula. Hypnosis was primarily used by experienced practitioners, with 36% using it daily and 80% regarding it as a primary approach for uncooperative patients. It was seen as equally effective for both sexes by 56.8%, though 42.1% found it particularly beneficial for female patients. While 81.6% considered it a viable alternative to pharmacologic sedation, 19.6% preferred agents like nitrous oxide. Early integration into dental education and targeted training could overcome barriers, enhance implementation, and benefit both practitioners and patients.

Hypnosis is vastly underused despite strong evidence supporting its efficacy in the context of cancer care. Little is known about what providers need to feel confident moving from education in hypnosis to using hypnosis in clinical care. The goal of this study was to examine cancer care providers' ongoing needs post-hypnosis training to inform the development of future hypnosis training programs. We qualitatively examined open-ended responses about post-training implementation from trainees ( = 70) of our Hypnosis for Cancer Pain training program. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Four main themes regarding challenges to real-world implementation of clinical hypnosis were identified: 1) How do I "pitch" hypnosis to the people in my health system?; 2) How do I conduct hypnosis in my native habitat (aka the messy, imperfect real world)?; 3) How do I move "off-book" and improvise?; and, 4) I'd feel more secure with a "buddy system." These challenges have direct implications for the development of future hypnosis training programs to better facilitate post-training provider implementation.

Science involves the use of specialized epistemic practices that lead to an increased probability of solving certain kinds of intellectual and applied problems. Science has been extraordinarily successful at solving an enormous number of these problems. However, psychology, particularly clinical science, has not shared a similar outcome regarding the number and degree of such problem solutions-what famously called the "slow progress of soft psychology." Scholars have identified problematic conceptions of the scientific method, replication failures, publishing biases, questionable research practices, faked data, and political biases influencing the scientific literature and thus have questioned the quality of this literature. We analyze this general problem using two constructs: "ugly science" and "dirty science." The first denotes a problematic conception of science, and the second is a problematic instantiation of an image of science. The critical question is, how can clinical science function with the unknown prevalence of such problematic science?

The field of hypnosis has intrigued clinicians and researchers alike for more than 200 years. Below, a review of hypnosis is presented from historical, theoretical, experimental, and clinical perspectives in order to provide those readers less aware of the field with a broad foundation. The literature reveals that while theoretically driven experimental research has led to groundbreaking clinical applications, there remains much to be done regarding dissemination of efficacious interventions and our understanding of underlying mechanisms responsible for observed effects. The goal is to inspire readers to pursue innovative work to improve our understanding of hypnosis and the quality of life of patients through clinical application. Along the way, we highlight empirical findings and selective writings of Dr. Steven Jay Lynn who was a tireless champion of hypnosis and psychotherapy.

Interest in associations between intelligence and hypnotizability spans nearly a century; however, results have been mixed, leaving open the question of whether intelligence or cognitive ability is associated with hypnotic responsiveness. The present study explored links between scores from the American College Testing (ACT) exam, high school and college grade point averages (GPAs), choice of major in a STEM field, and hypnotizability among undergraduate students ( = 221). This study found significant negative correlations between ACT scores and students' initial hypnotizability assessment via the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A. Correlations were consistent across male and female students, behavioral and subjective indices of hypnotizability, and across subsets of HGSHS:A items (i.e., challenge and direct suggestion items). Results from regression analyses showed that ACT scores predicted hypnotizability beyond students' expectancy to be hypnotized. STEM choice and GPAs were not linked to hypnotizability. To date, this is the first exploration of ACT scores and choice of a STEM field as potential correlates of hypnotizability.

We evaluated the validity and reliability of a novel measure designed to assess individuals' motivation and willingness to engage with hypnosis, the Lynn Hypnotic Engagement Scale (LHES). Across four studies involving over 800 participants, we assessed the psychometric properties of the scale. We showed that the LHES items are highly reliable and comprise a single factor reflecting an openness to hypnosis, willingness to "let go" and experience hypnosis without resistance, engagement with suggestions, and motivation to be hypnotized. We also included several other personality measures across our studies to provide preliminary evidence of convergent and divergent validity of the scale. We discuss the potential utility of the scale to predict hypnotizability and how it relates to both imagined and actual performance on a standardized measure of hypnotic responsiveness. Importantly, we found that the LHES appears to be tapping into particular aspects of hypnotic responding above and beyond expectancy to be hypnotized or interest in hypnosis. We discuss the limitations of our approach and future directions for additional research on the measure.

This issue of the includes a collection of articles in honor of Dr. Steven Jay Lynn. Dr. Lynn passed away on March 29, 2024; however, his impact on the field of hypnosis and psychology continues through his many students, colleagues, and publications of over 500 published works, including 23 books. Dr. Lynn's enormous work covers a wide range of areas including: evidence-based psychotherapy; the treatment of psychological disorders; critical thinking and scientific inquiry; theories of hypnosis; clinical and forensic applications of hypnosis; memory, dissociation, and suggestibility; and, mindfulness and other mind-body approaches. Readers will find this special issue also covers a range of fascinating topics reflective of Dr. Lynn's work.

This issue of the provides a systematic review of hypnotherapy for smoking cessation as well as a systematic review of hypnosis apps. These reviews are followed by articles that examine hypnotherapy for sleep disturbances in patients with multiple sclerosis, and provide results from a randomized clinical trial of immersive virtual reality to reduce pain and anxiety in individuals undergoing orthopedic surgery. In addition, an important new study, with findings that suggest a "general factor" may best account for hypnotizability is presented. Together, these articles address important emerging research on applications of clinical hypnosis and methods of intervention.

Ankle sprains are one of the more common musculoskeletal injuries in active populations and can develop into chronic ankle instability (CAI), a condition with uncertain etiology and symptoms that include poor dynamic balance, the ability to maintain balance during movement. The components of CAI are psychophysiological and biomechanical, indicating mind-body connections that can influence the development and persistence of this condition. Preliminary evidence suggests that self-hypnosis, a mind-body therapy, can restore physical performance in conditions like CAI. Twenty-four participants with CAI participated in this experimental pilot study, with a crossover design, to investigate the relationship between self-reported measures of ankle instability and other psychological factors with performance-based measures of dynamic balance and heart rate variability (HRV). Participants also received an 8-minute, self-hypnosis session to determine its influence on balance performance. Perceived ankle instability and dynamic balance were not associated with enhancement-based (interoceptive awareness, self-efficacy) or limit-based (kinesiophobia, anxiety) psychological factors. Perceived anxiety was not associated with HRV. Hypnosis was modestly effective in improving direction-specific (lateral) dynamic balance.

This article presents a case of a patient whose treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involved a modification of gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH). It was delivered in a nonstandard schedule and integrated concepts from other therapeutic modalities, primarily mindfulness meditation and narrative therapy. A review of the literature on GDH and prior modifications, as well as other iterations of integrative hypnosis, will be provided. Along with describing the case, a rationale for the treatment and examples of the modification will be presented.

Interoception - the sense of the body - includes the perception of visceral signals and its integration with many other information in the central nervous system. Hypnotizability levels are associated with interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity, likely due to different insula gray matter volume, and different availability of vascular nitric oxide during sensory and cognitive tasks in peripheral arteries and in the brain. This theoretical review deals with the relevance of possible hypnotizability-related nitric oxide availability at various levels of the central nervous system to interoception and, consequently, to physiological and pathological conditions, such as emotion, sleep disturbance, eating behavior, and cardiovascular illness. Moreover, the review suggests that hypnotic assessment could be a predictor of the efficacy of therapies based on improvement of interoception.

We examined possible developmental factors associated with false confessions. Participants ( = 33) between 13-and-37-years-old ( = 21.79, SD = 6.20) completed a delay discounting task and a pencil-and-paper measure of impulsivity. A researcher accused the participant of having engaged in an accidental wrongdoing. Approximately half the participants confessed. When chronological age and impulsivity scores of confessors and nonconfessors were examined, neither differed significantly, although Bayesian analyses provided moderate evidence that participants who confessed were older. Additionally, some analyses were conducted by creating developmental groups in which participants were divided into ongoing and completed executive functioning (EF) groups, using age as a proxy for EF. False confessions did not differ by EF-proxy developmental group. However, an analysis of the instability of false confession across oral and written modes revealed significant developmental group effects based on specific mode of confession. The reasons people provided for their choice to confess or not confess were examined and are consistent with cases depicted in the literature of false confessions. Forensic implications, as well as the overlap between this work and that of Steven Jay Lynn are discussed.

An online survey of 103 clinicians using hypnosis was conducted to gain a broad real-world view of current practices, experiences, and perspectives on clinical hypnosis in Brazil. This research replicated a form focused on identifying clinical hypnosis practices across 31 countries, contributing to a global perspective on this intervention modality. The present study employed descriptive statistics in its data analysis. According to respondents, among the 36 most common uses of hypnosis, improving well-being, enhancing self-esteem, reducing stress, and controlling specific phobias and anxiety were reported as the most clinically effective applications. In Brazil, 90.3% of hypnotherapists do not consider hypnotizability relevant to the success of hypnotherapy. Concerns were raised about the technical-professional training of Brazilian hypnotherapists. This is the first investigation into hypnosis practices in Brazil. Although hypnosis has been regulated for over two decades by professional health councils, such as the Federal Council of Medicine and the Federal Council of Psychology, efforts to promote evidence-based practices must be made to address the identified gaps.

Steven Jay Lynn was one of the most prolific clinical psychologists who made major contributions to the scientific literature in numerous areas, including in the area of hypnosis and memory. We review this work, limited to studies appearing in empirical journals, with special emphasis on research methodology. Hypnosis did not enhance accurate recall in any study and in some cases impeded recall. In numerous studies, hypnosis increased recall of never-experienced events; this recall persisted over time, and participants were at least moderately confident in their recall of these never-experienced events. We discuss the branching off of this work into the courts and psychotherapy.

The main objective of this systematic review is to comprehensively describe and evaluate the evidence on hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. Included studies were comprised of adults, had measurable objective/subjective data reflecting smoking cessation, hypnosis or hypnotherapy studied alone or as part of a multicomponent intervention, and at least ten participants. A total of 745 nonduplicate publications were screened, and 63 papers were included for analysis. Based on 33 of these studies, 66.7% reported a positive impact of the hypnosis intervention for smoking cessation. Positive impact studies had longer average treatment duration, greater number of hypnotherapy sessions, and utilized both self-report and objective measures of smoking cessation outcome (40.9% of positive studies using both vs 20% of no impact studies). The efficacy of hypnotherapy for smoking cessation is positive; however, more studies using biologically confirmed abstinence and reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked are needed. Hypnotherapy is a useful approach for smoking cessation that warrants additional inquiry. Future studies are needed that assess treatment fidelity and hypnotizability, provide information on race/ethnicity, and report on side effects and adverse events.

The importance of attitudes and beliefs in relation to people's behavior, both in general and within the context of psychological treatment, is undeniable. This is especially true in the field of hypnosis, where misinformation and myths are widespread. In response to a request from, and as a tribute to, Professor Steven Jay Lynn, we summarize the status of the Valencia Scales of Attitudes and Beliefs toward Hypnosis, both the client (VSABH-C) and therapist (VSABH-T) versions. A literature review was conducted in May 2024 across nine databases. The only inclusion criterion was that the studies had to cite and/or use either or both versions of the VSABH scales as a measurement instrument. A total of 73 references were selected and classified into four categories: psychometric analyses, use of the scales, citations, and unpublished references. The findings indicate that the VSABHs are widely used, useful, robust, and versatile scales with international projection, and its 37-item version is recommended. Scholars and practitioners are encouraged to continue the psychometric and applied study of these scales and to undertake adaptation processes in different languages, cultures, and samples, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the International Test Commission (ITC) rather than relying solely on reverse translations.