Hypnosis can influence memory recall, but the idea that hypnosis can make someone genuinely unable to access autobiographical memories in a permanent or absolute sense is highly controversial and not supported by strong scientific evidence.
Here’s a detailed explanation:
How Hypnosis Affects Memory
Memory Enhancement or Retrieval:
Hypnosis is sometimes used to help people recall memories they cannot access readily in a normal waking state. This is called hypnotic age regression or hypnotic recall. Under hypnosis, some individuals may report more vivid or detailed memories. However, these reports are not always accurate and may include confabulations (false memories).Memory Suppression or Blocking:
Hypnosis can be used to create a temporary state where access to certain memories or information is blocked or inhibited. This is often referred to as post-hypnotic amnesia (PHA). After a suggestion during hypnosis, the subject may have difficulty recalling specific events or information until given a cue to reverse the amnesia. This amnesia is usually selective and reversible.Limits of Hypnotic Amnesia:
Hypnotic amnesia typically affects recent or specific information rather than deeply ingrained autobiographical memories.
It is usually temporary and dependent on the hypnotic suggestion.
Genuine inability to access autobiographical memories (retrograde amnesia) caused purely by hypnosis, without underlying brain injury or psychological trauma, is not well-documented.
Hypnotic amnesia is more about blocking conscious access rather than erasing or destroying the memory itself.
Scientific and Clinical Perspectives
Memory Reliability:
Research shows that memories retrieved under hypnosis can be distorted, inaccurate, or entirely false. This limits hypnosis’s reliability for forensic or clinical use in memory recovery.Autobiographical Memory and Hypnosis:
Autobiographical memory is complex, involving multiple brain systems. Permanent loss of such memories generally involves physical brain injury, neurodegenerative disease, or severe psychological trauma (e.g., dissociative amnesia). Hypnosis alone does not produce such effects reliably.Post-Hypnotic Amnesia Studies:
Experimental studies have demonstrated that hypnotic suggestions can induce temporary forgetfulness of specific material (names, words, events) but these are reversible and do not equate to true memory loss.
Clinical Use and Ethical Considerations
Hypnotherapists might use suggestions to reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories or to block distressing recollections temporarily.
Ethical hypnotherapy does not involve attempting to create permanent memory loss.
If a client reports inability to recall autobiographical memories after hypnosis, this should prompt careful evaluation for other causes, such as dissociative disorders or neurological conditions.
Summary
Hypnosis can temporarily block access to some memories through post-hypnotic amnesia, but this does not mean genuine permanent inability to access autobiographical memories.
The memories are not erased but inaccessible until the suggestion is reversed.
There is no strong scientific evidence that hypnosis alone can cause true long-term or permanent autobiographical amnesia.
Caution must be exercised due to risks of false memories or confabulations during hypnosis.
Sources:
Lynn, Steven J., et al. "Hypnosis and memory: A selective review." International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, vol. 62, no. 3, 2014, pp. 255-274.
Kihlstrom, John F. "The psychological unconscious." Handbook of Social Psychology, 2007.
Wagstaff, Graham F. "Hypnotic amnesia: A review and theoretical analysis." International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, vol. 44, no. 3, 1996, pp. 183-204.
American Psychological Association. "Hypnosis for the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders." 2019.
Additional info: For clients concerned about memory loss in hypnotherapy, thorough pre-session evaluation and informed consent are essential practices in professional hypnotherapy settings like Hypnotechs.