KORN KURATED RESEARCH

How Gut-Directed Hypnosis Can Support Mental and Gut Health

Hypnotherapy can support both mental and gut health by addressing the brain-gut connection, particularly in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. While it shows promise, it's important to keep exploring how it can work alongside other treatments to improve overall well-being.

These days, I'm working with numerous clients—young and old—who struggle with chronic digestive issues. One of the most important steps in addressing these problems is to identify the root causes rather than just alleviating symptoms. While parasites, bacteria, or viral infections play distinctly physical causes that are often addressed with medications, allopathic or natural- many digestive challenges stem from dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, often linked to stress and trauma. Because these triggers operate below our conscious awareness, the term “autonomic” is particularly apt—these processes occur involuntarily, beyond our direct control.

Self-regulation practices such as breathwork, yoga, biofeedback, and hypnotherapy can help restore control and balance within the autonomic nervous system. We don’t need to be yoginis or yogis who can pierce their arms with knitting needles to control bleeding and pain to benefit from these methods. As a long-time hypnotherapy practitioner, I use my clients’ own language to develop individualized scripts to guide them into a deeply relaxed state, bypassing the conscious mind and engaging the entire being in the healing process.

If you find counseling and nutritional strategies insufficient with some clients who have complex challenges, consider exploring hypnotherapeutic approaches. The research I’m sharing supports the significant benefits of hypnotherapy in managing chronic digestive conditions.

First, let’s define some terms of reference as these studies explore both IBS and IBD. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) both affect the gastrointestinal tract, but they are fundamentally different conditions:

IBD: An autoimmune/inflammatory condition that causes chronic inflammation and, in some cases, ulceration in the digestive tract. The two most common types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

IBS: A functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder in which the bowel does not function (or “work”) properly, yet no physical damage or disease can be detected through routine medical tests. IBS involves abnormal bowel habits and gastrointestinal sensitivity without underlying inflammation or permanent damage.

Symptoms

IBD: May include severe abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea (often with blood or mucus), fatigue, weight loss, and other signs of systemic inflammation (e.g., fever, joint pain, or skin manifestations).

IBS: Commonly presents with abdominal discomfort, bloating, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both), but it does not typically include bleeding or systemic symptoms of inflammation such as fever or weight loss.

Physical Changes in the GI Tract

IBD: Involves structural changes to the intestines. In Crohn’s disease, inflammation can occur anywhere in the GI tract from mouth to anus; in Ulcerative Colitis, it is confined to the colon and rectum. These inflammatory changes are usually visible via endoscopy or imaging.

IBS: No observable structural changes to the intestines; diagnostic tests often appear normal. IBS is considered a functional disorder; issues arise from how the brain and gut communicate rather than from tissue damage.

Diagnosis

IBD: Typically diagnosed using a combination of blood tests (e.g., markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein), stool tests (calprotectin), imaging (CT or MRI), and direct visualization through colonoscopy or endoscopy (with biopsies).

IBS: Diagnosed based on symptom patterns and by ruling out other conditions, as structural and inflammatory markers are typically normal.

Treatment

IBD: Managed with anti-inflammatory medications, immune system suppressants, biologic therapies, dietary adjustments, and sometimes surgery to remove severely damaged parts of the intestines.

IBS: Managed with lifestyle modifications (dietary changes such as low-FODMAP diets, stress management), fiber supplements, and sometimes medication to relieve specific symptoms (e.g., antispasmodics, laxatives, or antidiarrheals).

In summary, IBD is an inflammatory condition with visible damage in the GI tract and potentially serious complications, while IBS involves functional changes without structural damage.

Now to the studies: 

The first review expands on the concept of the integrated mechanism of action that benefits people experiencing mind-body methods such as yoga, mindfulness, and hypnotherapy. It is a good starting point for exploring the common denominator among these self-regulation and focusing methods and, therefore, how to choose the best approach for each patient.

The second paper is a mini-review that provides a solid foundation in the field of hypnotherapy for IBS and serves as a strong starting point for literature research.

The third study highlights issues in poorly conducted research, where small sample sizes or confounding factors, such as concurrent drug treatments, make it difficult to determine who benefits from hypnotherapy and for how long. For example, hypnotherapy may not be effective for someone with Crohn’s disease who is allergic to gluten and casein if their nutritional needs have not been addressed. This underscores the role of hypnotherapy as an essential adjunct but, in my clinical opinion, not generally a stand-alone treatment.

The fourth study examines the role of hypnotherapy in depression. Depression and chronic pain or illness have a bidirectional relationship, with high rates of depression in digestive illnesses.

The fifth study, a large meta-analysis, specifically examines where hypnotherapy is effective—in psychological and somatic conditions. Hypnotherapy engages both mind and body, making it particularly suited for these complex challenges, especially for managing pain in children.

Tags: Hypnosis, hypnotherapy, gut-directed hypnosis, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders, mental health disorders, emotional disorders

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Referenced Research Publications

Neurogastroenterology and motility
2025, February 03
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.15014

Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, or Hypnotherapy for GI Disorders: Similar Mechanisms of Action?

Abstract

Mind-body approaches aim to improve gut symptoms and quality of life by targeting the interaction between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system. These include treatments such as hypnotherapy, mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. Although evidence is building on efficacy of mind-body approaches, we generally lack a thorough understanding of how they work. Despite being presented as separate treatment modalities, mind-body approaches often use overlapping treatment aspects with the same mechanism of action. There is evidence that yoga, meditation, and hypnotherapy may partly draw their benefit from creating an absorbed state of attention combined with suggestions for change. This has implications for clinical application of these treatments in patients with GI disease. We propose studies on mechanisms of mind-body approaches to develop more efficacious and more precise treatments for GI diseases.

Keywords: functional gastrointestinal disorders; hypnosis; irritable bowel syndrome; mindfulness; yoga.

Reference

Hamal, A., Shin, A., & van Tilburg, M. A. L. (2025). Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, or Hypnotherapy for GI Disorders: Similar Mechanisms of Action?. Neurogastroenterology and motility., e15014. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.15014

Frontiers in psychology
2024, June 03
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1389911

Gut-directed hypnosis and hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: a mini-review

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequent health condition which can be associated with functional disability and reduced health-related quality of life. IBS is classified as a disorder of the brain-gut axis. IBS is a very heterogenous condition with regards to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, the clinical picture and the amount of functional impairment. Within a biopsychosocial model of IBS psychosocial factors can play a role in the in the predisposition, triggering and development of chronicity. Somatic or psychosocial or a mixture of both factors might predominate in an individual patient. Gut-directed hypnosis is a special type of medical hypnosis combining standardised gut-directed suggestions (hypnosis) with suggestions tailored to the psychological characteristics of the patient (hypnotherapy). Of brain-gut behavioral therapies, cognitive bahvioral-based interventions and gut-directed hypnosis have the largest evidence for both short-term and long-term efficacy in controlled trials for IBS and are recommended by current European and North American gastroenterology guidelines as second line treatment options. Standardised gut-directed hypnosis is available by audiotapes and can be part of a multicomponent self-management approach by digital health applications. It can be used - based on the patient's preferences-as first line therapy for mild forms of IBS. Severe forms of IBS require face-to-face interdisciplinary management. Standardised gut-directed hypnosis and hypnotherapy tailored to the individual patient can be part of this approach.

Keywords: digital health applications; efficacy; gastroenterology; guidelines; gut-directed hypnosis; irritable bowel syndrome.

Reference

Häuser W. (2024). Gut-directed hypnosis and hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: a mini-review. Frontiers in psychology, 15, 1389911. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1389911

The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis
2024 Jul-Sep
DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2024.2350460

Can Hypnotherapy Be Considered a Valuable Component in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease? Insights from a Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Despite advancements in medication,managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains challenging, necessitatingalternative control methods. Gut-directed hypnotherapy, known for alleviating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), is debated as an IBD management method. Anextensive search across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.govuncovered five randomized trials and two case series involving IBD patients undergoing hypnotherapy. A small trial reported statistically significant remission at one year (p = .04), but larger trials, including one with 63 patients, showed no significant gastrointestinal improvements. The first case series noted post-intervention reduction in the mediators of inflammation in rectal mucosal, without long-term monitoring. The second case series observed the absence of flare episodes in 12 of 13 ulcerative colitis patients during follow-up, possibly influenced by the simultaneous use of two drugs alongside hypnotherapy. Psychological outcomes, demonstrated no significant differences between hypnotherapy and control groups. While current literature doesn't decisively support hypnotherapy for managing IBD symptoms, it underscores the importance of further research, including randomized clinical trials, to thoroughly assess its effectiveness in this context.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; hypnotherapy; inflammatory bowel diseases; treatment; ulcerative colitis.

Reference

Mpakogiannis, K., Fousekis, F. S., Katsanos, A. H., & Katsanos, K. H. (2024). Can Hypnotherapy Be Considered a Valuable Component in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease? Insights from a Comprehensive Review. The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis, 72(3), 274–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2024.2350460

The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis
2024 Apr-Jun
DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2024.2317193

Hypnotherapy as Treatment for Depression: A Scoping Review

Abstract

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of studies that explore the use of hypnotherapy as a treatment for depression, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 232 articles were identified through systematic search strategies in four databases. Following rigorous screening, 14 studies, varying from case studies to randomized controlled trials, were included in the final review. The age range of participants spanned from 18 to 70 years, and the number of female participants generally exceeded that of males in these studies. Hypnotherapy was found to be frequently used as an adjunct treatment alongside various types of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy and often included techniques like hypnotic induction, ego strengthening, and self-hypnosis. The treatment duration varied from 3 sessions to as long as 20 weekly sessions. Most importantly, the majority of the studies found hypnotherapy to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, with some studies suggesting it has superior effects to antidepressant treatment in areas such as overall health and vitality. This review highlights the potential of hypnotherapy as a viable treatment option for depression and highlights the need for further controlled studies to establish its efficacy.

Keywords: Depression; depressive symptoms; emotional disorder; hypnosis; hypnotherapy; treatment for depression.

Reference

Pang, J. W. V., Subramaniam, P., Amit, N., Wahab, S., & Moustafa, A. A. (2024). Hypnotherapy as Treatment for Depression: A Scoping Review. The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis, 72(2), 155–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2024.2317193

Frontiers in psychology
2024, January 08
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238

Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Documented use and investigation of hypnosis spans centuries and its therapeutic use has received endorsement by multiple medical associations. We conducted a comprehensive overview of meta-analyses examining the efficacy of hypnosis to provide a foundational understanding of hypnosis in evidence-based healthcare, insight into the safety of hypnosis interventions, and identification of gaps in the current research literature.

Methods: In our systematic review, meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of hypnosis in patients with mental or somatic health problems compared to any control condition published after the year 2000 were included. A comprehensive literature search using Medline, Scopus, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library, HTA Database, Web of Science and a manual search was conducted to identify eligible reviews. Methodological quality of the included meta-analyses was rated using the AMSTAR 2 tool. Effect estimates on various outcomes including at least three comparisons (k ≥ 3) were extracted and transformed into a common effect size metric (Cohen's d). If available, information on the certainty of evidence for these outcomes (GRADE assessment) was obtained.

Results: We included 49 meta-analyses with 261 distinct primary studies. Most robust evidence was reported for hypnosis in patients undergoing medical procedures (12 reviews, 79 distinct primary studies) and in patients with pain (4 reviews, 65 primary studies). There was a considerable overlap of the primary studies across the meta-analyses. Only nine meta-analyses were rated to have high methodological quality. Reported effect sizes comparing hypnosis against control conditions ranged from d = -0.04 to d = 2.72. Of the reported effects, 25.4% were medium (d ≥ 0.5), and 28.8% were large (d ≥ 0.8).

Discussion: Our findings underline the potential of hypnosis to positively impact various mental and somatic treatment outcomes, with the largest effects found in patients experiencing pain, patients undergoing medical procedures, and in populations of children/adolescents. Future research should focus on the investigation of moderators of efficacy, on comparing hypnosis to established interventions, on the efficacy of hypnosis for children and adolescents, and on identifying patients who do not benefit from hypnosis.

Clinical trial registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023395514, identifier CRD42023395514.

Keywords: efficacy; hypnosis; hypnotherapy; meta-analysis; randomized controlled trial.

Copyright © 2024 Rosendahl, Alldredge and Haddenhorst.

Reference

Rosendahl, J., Alldredge, C. T., & Haddenhorst, A. (2024). Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1330238. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238