Research library
Research & evidence
A curated library of peer-reviewed research behind the conditions I work with most. I maintain this because I think clients deserve to see the evidence behind what I do.
Hypnotherapy has a substantial and growing evidence base. The summaries below are written in plain language, and each one links to the published studies behind it — I want clients to be able to read the source material themselves. If you’d like to talk through what the evidence does and doesn’t say for your concern, I’m happy to discuss it on a free discovery call.
Anxiety
Meta-analyses show hypnosis can meaningfully reduce anxiety, with stronger evidence when combined with other psychological approaches or used around stressful medical procedures.
Read the researchSocial anxiety
Studies suggest hypnosis can support social anxiety treatment, particularly as an adjunct to established psychological approaches.
Read the researchDepression
Research shows hypnosis can reduce depressive symptoms, with the strongest evidence as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Read the researchStress
Hypnosis consistently reduces self-reported stress and physiological stress markers across a range of settings.
Read the researchOCD
Limited but promising evidence suggests hypnosis can support exposure-based work for obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Read the researchSelf-esteem, confidence & performance
Research spans clinical work on self-worth and applied work in performance and sports settings.
Read the researchSpecific phobias
Trials suggest hypnosis can reduce phobic responses, typically used alongside exposure-based approaches.
Read the researchIBS & gut-directed hypnotherapy
One of the strongest evidence bases for clinical hypnosis, supported by multiple randomised controlled trials.
Read the researchPain management
Decades of robust research show hypnosis can meaningfully reduce both acute and chronic pain.
Read the researchSleep & insomnia
Hypnosis can improve sleep quality and reduce time to fall asleep, with strongest evidence as an adjunct to behavioural sleep approaches.
Read the researchAlopecia areata
Small studies suggest hypnosis may support the stress-related regulation underlying autoimmune hair-loss patterns.
Read the researchWeight loss
Reviews show hypnosis added to behavioural weight programmes can produce small but durable additional weight loss.
Read the researchSexual function
Emerging research supports hypnosis as a useful adjunct for sexual concerns where anxiety and conditioned-response patterns play a major role.
Read the researchMedical procedure distress
Substantial evidence shows hypnosis reduces anxiety, pain and physiological stress around invasive medical procedures.
Read the researchCancer care
A strong evidence base for hypnosis as an adjunct for anxiety, pain and treatment-related distress in cancer care settings.
Read the researchNeedle phobia
Hypnosis can reduce the fear response around needles, useful for vaccinations, blood tests and ongoing medical care.
Read the researchDental anxiety
Robust evidence supports hypnosis for dental anxiety, both during procedures and in preparation for them.
Read the researchSmoking cessation
Reviews show hypnosis can support quitting smoking, with the strongest results when combined with other cessation strategies.
Read the researchVaping cessation
Early evidence suggests the same trigger-response mechanisms that support smoking cessation also apply to vaping.
Read the researchAddictive & compulsive behaviours
Hypnosis has emerging support across a range of addictive and compulsive behaviours, especially as part of broader treatment.
Read the researchHair pulling (trichotillomania)
Case series and small trials suggest hypnosis can reduce hair pulling, especially when paired with habit-reversal therapy.
Read the researchNail biting & nail picking
Studies suggest hypnosis can interrupt body-focused repetitive behaviours like nail biting and picking.
Read the researchHow hypnosis works
Brain-imaging and process research illuminates what happens neurologically when someone enters and uses a hypnotic state.
Read the researchWant to talk through the evidence?
A free discovery call is the easiest way to discuss what the research does and doesn’t say for your particular concern.