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Hypnosis articles and research

Recommended Reading

There is a lot of great writing about hypnosis online, and a lot that isn’t. These hand-picked articles and research sources help demystify hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Do your research before choosing a hypnotherapist; this list is a good place to start.

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Research · Articles · Ethics · Hypnosis and the law

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Guides on Hypnotechs

Plain-language explainers written with the science in mind.

Kappasinian Hypnosis

Dr. John Kappas’ Theory of Mind, and why willpower alone so often loses.

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Ericksonian Hypnosis

Milton Erickson’s indirect suggestion, metaphor and storytelling.

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World Hypnotism Day

The history of January 4, and six hypnosis myths busted.

Clinical and medical

Research and medical sources

Research databases and medical articles on how hypnosis works and where it helps.

National Institutes of Health hypnosis researchPubMed Hypnosis articlesAmerican Psychological Association Hypnosis articlesMayo Clinic Study identifies brain areas altered during hypnotic trancesStanford Medicine Is weight-loss hypnosis effective?Mayo Clinic New uses of hypnosis in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorderNational Library of Medicine The use of hypnosis in anesthesiologyJournal of the National Medical Association

In the news

Articles about hypnosis and hypnotherapy

Readable, well-sourced articles from major publications, including first-hand accounts.

Hypnosis Changed My LifeThe New York Times Is Hypnosis Real? Here's What Science SaysTime Hypnosis BasicsPsychology Today Has Hypnosis Finally Been Vindicated by Neuroscience?New York Magazine You’re getting very curious: Scientists discover how hypnosis actually worksCNBC 21 Myths About HypnosisPsychology Today 5 Science-Backed Health Benefits of HypnosisHuffPost I Got Hypnotized to Convince Myself to Go to the Gym. Here’s How It Worked.Men's Journal Using Hypnosis To Be Better at BusinessForbes 5 Science-Backed Ways Hypnotherapy Helps Entrepreneurs SucceedEntrepreneur I Tried Hypnosis During Childbirth, and Here's What HappenedCosmopolitan How to Treat PTSD With HypnotherapyThe Wellness Institute Everything You Need to Know About Hypnosis for Weight LossShape How hypnotherapy helped me get over my chronic fear of flyingFashion Journal Mindfulness exercises can be as effective as anxiety drugs, study showsThe Washington Post

Ethics

Ethics in hypnotherapy

Two thoughtful looks at where the ethical lines are.

Is past life regression therapy ethical?PubMed Central Ethical considerations of therapeutic hypnosis and childrenPubMed

Cloak and dagger

Hypnosis, the law and intelligence agencies

Official documents on how courts and governments have handled hypnosis, from witness testimony to Cold War experiments.

Hypnosis in InterrogationCIA Use of HypnosisU.S. Department of Justice Hypnosis Admissibility at TrialU.S. Department of Justice Hypnosis of a Prosecution WitnessU.S. Department of Justice Hypnosis of a DefendantU.S. Department of Justice Disclosure of the Use of HypnosisU.S. Department of Justice MKUltra: an introductionWikipedia

Others in the industry

Other hypnotists worth knowing

Well-known hypnotists and hypnotherapists, from stage performers to clinicians.

Derren Brown Paul McKenna Ken Dubner Anthony Galie Marc Savard Richard Barker Rose Ferguson

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