Hypnosis News & Research
Lay person or professional, you probably have some personal experiences that have shown you that what people "think" or "perceive to be true" in their minds has a real effect on their thinking, feeling and behavior in the outside world. A common pop example is how a belief in "Voodoo" can effect those who believe they are "cursed". On a more positive note-many of us know people who defied all odds against them, motivated only by those things they "believed" in.
Sometimes, what we "think" can even have an impact on our bodies. In scientific research this is referred to as a "placebo effect". It is important to understand that any "placebo effect", that is to say, any change that occurs because of what the subject BELIEVED, is still a change. It is a CHANGE THAT WAS CREATED BY A THOUGHT.
Understanding how a "thought" can make "change" happen, understanding "when" that happens, and measuring how effective that "change" actually is - are the kind of subjects researchers are still exploring. This page serves as a link for those who would like more information about hypnosis and related modalities.
Effective Treatment
Hypnosis has been shown to be an effective treatment option for a host of behavioral and medical concerns. As regards to mental health services, there is a frequently cited comparison study by Dr. Alfred Barrios, Published by American Health Magazine, that reflected astonishing results:
- Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions
- Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions
- Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions
While this information is encouraging, it tells us little about what makes hypnosis so effective and efficient.
The on-going research into hypnosis is extensive and because hypnosis can be used in so many areas, that research crosses many disciplines.
Further Hypnosis Research
Rather than create a vast list of such articles here, we are providing you a single link to one of the best and most extensive, publicly available resources for hypnosis related research- the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland and their National Library of Medicine. The Library collects materials and provides information and research services in all areas of biomedicine and health care and can be accessed at
http://www.nlm.nih.gov.