Hypnosis may seem like an unusual subject to encounter in a hospital, doctor's office, or surgical center. However, it has a documented history of use in medicine, and researchers have investigated its potential benefits in several clinical settings.
You might be surprised to learn that hypnosis has been studied as a way to help patients manage discomfort during medical procedures, reduce anxiety before surgery, cope with certain symptoms, and improve their experience of treatment.
These applications aren't simply stories about people having unusual experiences. Some have been investigated in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, providing evidence that can be evaluated scientifically.
Of course, it's important to distinguish between documented use and proven effectiveness. Just because hypnosis has been used in a particular medical setting doesn't mean it works equally well for everyone or that it can replace established medical treatment.
Let's look at some specific examples, what researchers have discovered, and how hypnosis fits into modern healthcare.
Has hypnosis actually been used in hospitals and medical settings?
Yes. Hypnosis has been investigated and used in several areas of healthcare, including surgery, diagnostic procedures, pain management, and gastrointestinal treatment.
Medical hypnosis generally involves a trained practitioner guiding a patient through focused attention and therapeutic suggestions. These suggestions may encourage relaxation, change the way discomfort is experienced, or help someone prepare mentally for a medical procedure.
It is usually intended as a complementary approach rather than a replacement for conventional medical care.
Research has examined hypnosis in a variety of clinical circumstances. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis, for example, examined 20 randomized controlled trials involving 1,250 patients undergoing invasive medical procedures. The researchers found statistically significant reductions in reported anxiety and pain among patients receiving hypnosis compared with standard care.¹
This provides a useful starting point for understanding why hypnosis has attracted interest in medicine. It has been investigated as a practical way to support patients during situations that can be physically uncomfortable or emotionally stressful.
Has hypnosis been used before and during surgery?
Yes. Surgical settings are among the most extensively studied applications of clinical hypnosis.
Patients preparing for surgery may experience anxiety, uncertainty, and concerns about postoperative discomfort. Researchers have investigated whether hypnosis before an operation can help improve the patient's experience.
A notable example is a randomized clinical trial published in 2007 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study involved 200 women scheduled for breast cancer surgery, including excisional breast biopsies and lumpectomies.
Patients were assigned to receive either a brief, 15-minute hypnosis session before surgery or a control intervention involving supportive listening.
The researchers found that patients in the hypnosis group reported less pain, nausea, fatigue, discomfort, and emotional upset at discharge. They also required less of certain medications used during surgery, including propofol and lidocaine. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the use of every medication examined.²
This is an interesting example because hypnosis was incorporated into the patient's preparation for an actual surgical procedure, rather than being studied solely in a laboratory.
It is important to recognize that one successful trial does not establish that every surgical patient will experience the same benefits. Nevertheless, it demonstrates a documented clinical application supported by controlled research.
Has hypnosis been used to help patients undergoing medical procedures?
Yes. Researchers have studied hypnosis as a way to help patients manage discomfort and anxiety during procedures that involve needles, instruments, or other medical interventions.
Examples of procedures investigated in the research include:
Radiological procedures: Hypnosis has been studied as a way to help patients cope with discomfort and anxiety during certain image-guided medical interventions.
Dental procedures: Researchers have investigated hypnotic suggestions and relaxation techniques as possible ways to help patients manage dental anxiety and procedural discomfort.
Minor surgical procedures: Hypnosis has been examined as a complementary technique during procedures involving local anesthesia.
Other invasive procedures: Clinical trials have investigated its potential to reduce anxiety and pain during a range of medical interventions.
The 2025 systematic review discussed earlier brought together research involving different invasive procedures. Across the included trials, hypnosis was associated with reductions in reported pain and anxiety compared with standard care.¹
However, the studies used different techniques and measured different outcomes. The results should therefore not be interpreted as proof that hypnosis is equally effective for every procedure.
In practice, the purpose is generally to make an already planned medical intervention more manageable for the patient, not to eliminate the need for appropriate anesthesia, medication, or medical supervision.
Has hypnosis been used for pain management?
Yes. Pain management is one of the major areas in which hypnosis has been investigated.
Pain is a complex experience involving physical sensations as well as psychological and emotional factors. Researchers have explored whether suggestions can influence how people perceive pain and how distressing they find it.
For example, a practitioner might encourage someone to imagine that an uncomfortable sensation is becoming less intense, changing in character, or moving into the background of their awareness.
Hypnosis has been studied in connection with both procedural pain and other painful conditions. The evidence suggests that some people experience meaningful relief, although the extent of the benefit varies.
The 2021 meta-analysis by Mareike Holler and colleagues examined 50 studies involving 4,269 adults undergoing surgical procedures. It found positive average effects of hypnosis on mental distress, pain, medication consumption, and recovery. However, the researchers also identified substantial variation between studies, limiting how confidently the findings can be generalized to every patient or surgical setting.³
This is an important distinction: hypnosis may help some patients experience less pain or distress, but it is not a substitute for appropriate pain treatment.
Has hypnosis been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome?
Yes. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a documented application of hypnosis in gastrointestinal care, particularly for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS is a disorder involving the interaction between the digestive system and the brain. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and changes in bowel habits.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy uses suggestions and mental imagery specifically designed around digestive symptoms and the relationship between the brain and the gastrointestinal system.
For example, a practitioner might guide someone through imagery intended to encourage a more comfortable digestive experience. Suggestions may focus on abdominal comfort, changes in sensitivity, and improved coping with symptoms.
Unlike a general relaxation exercise, gut-directed hypnotherapy follows an approach tailored to IBS.
There is clinical research supporting this application. The American College of Gastroenterology's 2021 clinical guideline recommends considering gut-directed psychological therapies for global IBS symptoms. These include gut-directed hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The recommendation is conditional, however, and based on very low-quality evidence.⁴
The British Society of Gastroenterology's guidelines also recognize gut-directed hypnotherapy as a potential treatment for IBS, with evidence suggesting that it may improve overall symptoms.
This makes IBS one of the more established areas of clinical interest in medical hypnosis.
It is worth emphasizing that gut-directed hypnotherapy is not intended to suggest that IBS is imaginary or that symptoms are simply caused by someone's thoughts. Rather, it is based on the understanding that communication between the brain and digestive system can influence symptom experiences.
Has hypnosis been used to help patients with cancer?
Yes. Hypnosis has been studied in cancer care, particularly in connection with symptoms and the discomfort associated with treatment.
One documented example is the breast cancer surgery trial discussed earlier. Researchers investigated whether a short hypnosis session before surgery could help patients manage pain, nausea, fatigue, and emotional distress.
Other research has examined hypnosis in relation to symptoms experienced by people undergoing cancer treatment or living with the effects of cancer.
Potential areas of application include:
Managing anxiety associated with medical procedures.
Helping patients cope with pain.
Addressing certain treatment-related symptoms.
Supporting relaxation and emotional comfort.
Managing hot flashes in breast cancer survivors.
These applications should be understood as supportive approaches rather than treatments for cancer itself.
Hypnosis does not destroy cancer cells, replace surgery, or take the place of chemotherapy, radiation, or other established cancer treatments. Its potential role is in helping patients manage certain experiences associated with illness and treatment.
Has hypnosis been used in burn treatment?
Yes. Researchers have investigated hypnosis as a complementary approach to managing pain and distress during burn treatment.
Burn injuries can require repeated medical procedures, including wound cleaning, dressing changes, and other treatments that may be uncomfortable.
Hypnosis has been studied as a way to help patients manage the experience of these procedures. Suggestions may focus on relaxation, comfort, and changes in the perception of pain.
Clinical research on hypnosis during burn care forms part of the broader literature examining its use in medical procedures.
However, the strength of the evidence varies across individual applications. It would be misleading to suggest that hypnosis reliably eliminates burn pain or makes conventional pain medication unnecessary.
Its potential role is to complement appropriate wound care and pain management under medical supervision.
Has hypnosis been used in dental care?
Yes. Dental care is another setting in which hypnosis has been investigated.
Some people experience considerable anxiety about dental appointments, injections, drilling, or other procedures. Researchers have explored whether hypnotic suggestions can help patients feel more comfortable.
Possible applications include:
Reducing anxiety before dental treatment.
Helping patients relax during procedures.
Supporting the management of discomfort.
Helping patients cope with an unpleasant gag reflex.
Preparing patients mentally for dental surgery.
Hypnosis may be particularly interesting in situations where anxiety makes dental treatment more difficult.
However, it should not be confused with local anesthesia. A patient undergoing a dental procedure may still need appropriate anesthetic medication and other conventional measures to control pain.
The evidence for dental applications is not equally strong across all procedures and patient groups, so individual expectations should remain realistic.
Has hypnosis been used with children in medical settings?
Yes. Hypnosis and hypnotic suggestions have been investigated in pediatric healthcare, including situations involving medical procedures and pain.
Children may experience anxiety or discomfort when undergoing injections, examinations, and other treatments. Researchers have explored whether age-appropriate suggestions and imagery can help them cope.
For example, a child might be encouraged to imagine being somewhere enjoyable or to picture a protective object that makes a procedure feel less frightening.
The language and techniques used with children are generally adapted to their age, understanding, and ability to engage with imagination.
However, hypnosis is not automatically appropriate for every child or every medical situation. It should be delivered by someone with appropriate professional qualifications and experience working with children.
It should also complement, rather than replace, appropriate pediatric medical care and pain relief.
Does hypnosis replace anesthesia or pain medication?
No. This is an important distinction.
Although research has examined hypnosis as a way to reduce pain and medication requirements in some circumstances, it should not be assumed that hypnosis can replace anesthesia or medically necessary medication.
For example, the breast surgery trial found reduced use of certain medications in the hypnosis group, but it did not demonstrate that patients could safely undergo surgery without conventional anesthesia.²
In many medical settings, hypnosis is considered an additional technique that may improve comfort or help patients manage anxiety.
The appropriate use of anesthesia, pain medication, and other treatments remains a decision for the medical team.
Anyone considering hypnosis before surgery or another medical procedure should discuss it with their healthcare providers rather than attempting to substitute it for prescribed treatment.
Why do medical professionals use hypnosis?
There are several reasons researchers and healthcare professionals have investigated hypnosis.
First, medical procedures can be stressful. Anxiety may make an already difficult experience more uncomfortable, so techniques that help patients manage distress are worth studying.
Second, pain is not experienced in exactly the same way by everyone. Psychological factors, attention, expectations, and emotional responses can influence the experience of pain. Hypnosis offers one approach to exploring these influences.
Third, hypnosis can sometimes be incorporated into an existing treatment plan without requiring a major change to the medical procedure itself.
It may be used before a procedure, during an intervention, or as part of ongoing symptom management.
That said, medical professionals must consider the evidence for the particular application, the patient's circumstances, and whether the approach is appropriate.
The goal is not to use hypnosis simply because it is interesting. It is to determine whether it offers a meaningful benefit alongside established medical care.
Is the use of hypnosis in medicine scientifically accepted?
Hypnosis is a recognized subject of medical and psychological research, and some applications have accumulated substantial clinical evidence.
The strongest research examples include its use as an adjunct during medical and surgical procedures and gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS.
A 2025 review of invasive medical procedures found reductions in anxiety and pain across the randomized trials it examined.¹ A separate 2021 meta-analysis of surgical studies also reported positive average effects, while emphasizing considerable variation between studies.³
Clinical guidelines provide another useful perspective. The American College of Gastroenterology, for example, includes gut-directed psychological therapies among its recommendations for IBS management, although the recommendation is conditional and the evidence quality is rated very low.⁴
This illustrates an important point: a medical technique can have documented applications without being equally well established for every condition.
Scientific acceptance should not be confused with universal endorsement, guaranteed results, or proof that every advertised use is effective.
How can I find a qualified medical hypnotist?
If you're interested in exploring hypnosis for a medical concern, it's sensible to begin with your existing healthcare team.
Ask whether hypnosis might be appropriate for your particular condition or procedure. Your doctor may be able to recommend a qualified professional or explain how hypnosis could fit into your treatment plan.
When evaluating a practitioner, consider the following:
Professional qualifications: Look for an appropriate healthcare license and relevant professional training.
Clinical experience: Ask whether the practitioner has experience working with your particular condition or medical concern.
Evidence-based practice: Find out what research supports the proposed application.
Clear expectations: A responsible practitioner should explain both the potential benefits and the limitations.
Coordination with medical care: Hypnosis should not interfere with prescribed treatment or necessary medical procedures.
Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed results, claiming hypnosis can cure serious diseases, or encouraging you to abandon conventional medical treatment.
A qualified professional should be comfortable discussing the evidence and answering questions about the approach.
What should I take away from these medical examples?
The documented use of hypnosis in medicine demonstrates that it is more than a subject associated with stage performances or entertainment.
Researchers have investigated its potential applications in several real healthcare settings, including:
Surgical preparation and postoperative recovery.
Pain and anxiety management during medical procedures.
Gastrointestinal treatment, particularly gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS.
Cancer-related symptom management.
Burn care and procedural discomfort.
Dental anxiety and treatment-related discomfort.
Pediatric medical procedures.
Some of these applications have stronger supporting evidence than others. Surgical research and invasive-procedure studies provide encouraging findings, while IBS guidelines recognize gut-directed hypnotherapy as a possible treatment with important evidence limitations.
The most important point is that hypnosis is generally considered a complementary technique in these settings. It is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, surgery, anesthesia, medication, or other necessary treatments.
The bottom line: Hypnosis has documented applications in modern medical research and clinical practice. Its potential to help patients manage pain, anxiety, and certain symptoms makes it an interesting complementary approach. The evidence is encouraging in some areas, but responsible medical use means understanding its limitations and keeping conventional healthcare at the center of treatment.
Notes
Nike Walter, Michel Torres Leyva, Thilo Hinterberger, Markus Rupp, Thomas Loew, Adolfo Lambert-Delgado, and Alberto Erconvaldo Cobián Mena, “Hypnosis as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Invasive Medical Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analytic Update,” Journal of Psychosomatic Research 192 (2025): 112117.
Guy R. Montgomery, Dana H. Bovbjerg, Julie B. Schnur, Daniel David, Alisan Goldfarb, Christina R. Weltz, Clyde Schechter, Joshua Graff-Zivin, Kristin Tatrow, Donald D. Price, and Jeffrey H. Silverstein, “A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Brief Hypnosis Intervention to Control Side Effects in Breast Surgery Patients,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute 99, no. 17 (2007): 1304–12.
Mareike Holler, Susan Koranyi, Bernhard Strauss, and Jenny Rosendahl, “Efficacy of Hypnosis in Adults Undergoing Surgical Procedures: A Meta-Analytic Update,” Clinical Psychology Review 85 (2021): 102001.
Brian E. Lacy, Mark Pimentel, Darren M. Brenner, William D. Chey, Laurie A. Keefer, Millie D. Long, and Baha Moshiree, “ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” The American Journal of Gastroenterology 116, no. 1 (2021): 17–44.