- 18 separate studies found that patients who received cognitive behavioral therapy plus hypnotherapy for problems such as obesity, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and hypertension showed more than a 70 percent improvement as compared to patients who received psychotherapy alone.
- According to studies done at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, suggestions given in a hypnotic state, even once, can produce actions in human beings that are the same type of actions that would have resulted from more long-term conditioning and psychotherapy.
- In a research study done with 60 college students, (Spring 2004 at Northern Arizona University), using hypnosis with ego-enhancement suggestions showed "significantly dramatic effects" in confidence and test scores.
- As reported by NewScientist.com news service, "Hypnosis is more than just a party trick; it measurably changes how the brain works," says John Gruzelier, a research psychologist at Imperial College of London. "Hypnosis significantly affects the activity in a part of the brain responsible for detecting and responding to errors, an area that controls higher level executive functions."
- In a research study on Self-hypnosis for relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users, (Am J Clin Hypno. 2004 Apr; 46(4):281-97), individuals who played self-hypnosis audiotapes "at least 3 to 5 times a week," at 7-week follow-up, reported the highest levels of self-esteem and serenity, and the least anger/impulsivity, in comparison to the minimal-practice and control groups.
- Research using positron emission tomography (PET) scans, shows that hypnosis might alleviate pain by decreasing the activity of brain areas involved in the experience of suffering. Scientists have found that hypnosis reduced the activity of the anterior cingulated cortex, an area known to be involved in pain, but did not affect the activity of the somatosensory cortex, where the sensations of pain are processed.
