Scientific Studies on Hypnosis
This page is a collection of scientific research on hypnosis, self-hypnosis and hypnotherapy. The studies included are peer-reviewed and provide evidence of the effectiveness of hypnosis for a range is issues and conditions. Each study includes a brief summary and link to the original research. This page is designed as a go to resource for those seeking proof, clarity and verification of the effectiveness of hypnosis.
How to Use this Resource
- Scroll by category
- Click on the link to view the full research
- Use the summaries to see key findings
Anxiety & Stress
Title of Study: “The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis“
Authors: Keara E Valentine, Leonard S Milling, Lauren J Clark, Caitlin L Moriarty
Publication: International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.
Summary: This study showed that the average participant reviving hypnosis reduced their anxiety by about 79%.
Year: 2019
Link: PubMed
Title of Study: “Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective”
Authors: Jenny Rosendahl, Cameron T Alldredge, Antonia Haddenhorst
Journal: Frontiers in Psychology.
Summary: This study concluded that hypnosis is effective for a wide range of mental and physical issues including pain management, distress about medical procedures and anxiety and stress in adults, children and adolescents.
Year: 2023
Link: PubMed
Sleep & Insomnia
Title of Study: “Hypnotherapy for insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”
Authors: Tak-Ho Lam, Ka-Fai Chung, Wing-Fai Yeung, Branda Yee-Man Yu, Kam-Ping Yung, Tommy Ho-Yee Ng
Journal: Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Summary: Key findings were that hypnosis and relaxation techniques significantly reduces delays getting to sleep in patient with insomnia. Only a small sample size with some methodological issues.
Year: 2015
Link: ScienceDirect
Health Conditions
Title of Study: “Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
Authors: Elizabeth C. Adler, Emma H. Levine, Allison N. Ibarra, Eshandeep S. Boparai, Yun-Yi Hung, Quincy D. McCrary, Jeffrey K. Lee
Journal: Neurogastroenterology & Motility
Summary: This study involved 1,158 IBS patients. It found that hypnotherapy improved IBS symptoms and was particularly beneficial for reducing abdominal pain.
Year: 2025
Link: PubMed
Title of Study: “Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of hypnosis in adult irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and”
Authors: Rainer Schaefert, Paul Enck, Gerd Moeller, Wolfgang Häuser, Wolfgang Herzog
Journal: Psychosomatic Medicine
Summary: Study on the benefits of hypnosis for IBS patients. The study included 464 patients and it found hypnosis to be superior to control conditions in relieving symptoms in adults with refractory IBS. Long terms relief was achived in 54%.
Year: 2014
Link: PubMed
Pain Management
Habits & Addictions
Performance & Sport
Mind and Body
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