International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis最新文献

In the 1970s, researchers and theoreticians of states of consciousness jointly discussed hypnosis and psychedelic alterations of consciousness, but recent research has mostly kept these topics apart. This paper discusses the similarities and differences of hypnosis and psychedelic alterations of consciousness, stressing that states of consciousness should not be defined by their preceding contexts. Predictors of positive responses to psychedelics (e.g. absorption and openness to experience) also predict hypnotic responsiveness. Most experiential changes (e.g. changes in bodily sensations and image, increased simple and complex imagery, and transcendent phenomena) produced by psychedelics are also reported within minimal suggestion hypnosis by highly responsive participants. Yet, there are differences in single sessions in that, as compared with hypnosis, psychedelic experiences typically last longer, are less controllable but more intense, and might produce more negative outcomes but also have a greater potential for positive long-term effects. Hypnosis, psychedelic research, and clinical work can enrich each other and should be more integrated than has been the case recently.

The resurgence of interest in psychedelics has led to their widespread, and often uncritical, promotion within both popular media and scientific communities. This heightened enthusiasm complicates assessments of the neurocognitive effects of psychedelics as well as their efficacy as adjuncts to psychotherapy. A key challenge for this nascent field involves understanding how suggestion effects can both act as a significant confound in research on psychedelics but also improve outcomes in therapeutic interventions. By critically examining how suggestion effects operate within psychedelic experiences, we aim to draw greater attention to their role as a source of bias but also as a tool that can be leveraged to maximize therapeutic benefits. We argue for more careful consideration of, and rigorous experimentation into, the role of suggestion effects in response to psychedelics.

The potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic, mystical experiences, and peak spiritual experiences are of increasing interest among clinicians, researchers, and the public. Several studies have proposed potential parallels between the altered states of consciousness associated with psychedelics and hypnosis. Although there has been increased interest in psychedelics, mystical experiences, hypnosis, and non-ordinary states of consciousness, much remains unknown. The present special issue addresses many of these questions, such as: What are the similarities and differences in hypnotic and psychedelic contexts? What is the clinical utility of mystical experiences that may be facilitated without drugs? Do suggestion effects play a role in psychedelics? Can mystical experiences be induced through hypnosis and meditation? What is the potential of psychedelic and hypnosis to enhance creativity and spiritual inspiration/growth? The reader will find thought provoking answers to these questions and deepen knowledge of the intersections among psychedelics, mystical experiences and hypnosis.

Mystical-type experiences can be induced through techniques like hypnosis and meditation. These experiences are common in near-death experiences (NDEs) and have been linked to paranormal beliefs. This study explored auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) as a method to induce mystical-type experiences and NDE outside of life threatening situations (NDE-like), as well as examining the influence of factors like religious/spirituality practices, and paranormal beliefs. Twenty-seven participants capable of self-inducing AICT were studied. Before the experiment, their religious/spirituality practices and paranormal beliefs were assessed. Participants underwent five conditions: rest, rest with auditory stimulation, imagination, AICT, and AICT with auditory stimulation. Experience intensity, mystical-type experiences, and NDEs-like were measured before and after AICT and rest. Results showed that AICT induce mystical-type experiences more frequently (29%) compared to the rest condition (0%). More specifically, the intensity of the experience and features of NDEs-like during AICT were linked to mystical-type experiences during AICT only. This is the first study to demonstrate that AICT can induce mystical-type experiences in healthy individuals.

Alterations in consciousness have long been used to enhance creativity. Here, we focus on the ways in which hypnosis and psychedelics alter consciousness to enhance creativity, drawing on both research and first-hand accounts. The research utilizes standard measures of creativity as well as assessments of artistic, musical, and work-related problem-solving ability. First-hand accounts of scientific discovery offer individual perspective on creativity via personal experience. Various mechanisms of how altered states may enhance creativity are explored including the roles of positive mood, flow, heightened senses, tapping into the unconscious, variations in thought processes (i.e. the Dynamic Framework of Thought Theory), and spiritual inspiration. Finally, limitations and future directions are addressed.

The purpose of the present study is to determine feasibility and acceptability of a standardized hypnosis-oriented intervention for a mystical experience based on a conceptual framework including cognitive expectancy, demand characteristics, the induced hypnotic state, and the role of hypnotizability. Ten college student participants provided informed consent and underwent a hypnosis-based exercise designed to facilitate a mystical experience. The hypnosis-oriented intervention was provided in a setting similar to that used in psychedelic drug research. All participants were in the mid-to-high range of hypnotizability. Results revealed that the hypnosis-oriented intervention was feasible and acceptable based on a composite acceptability score of 9.45 and no dropouts. All participants indicated that they would participate again if given the opportunity. Additionally, 70% of participants met criteria for a "complete mystical experience" as measured by the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30). While these results are encouraging, additional research is needed, including replication with a larger sample.

Mystical experiences (MEs) are often profound and transformative encounters with a transcendent reality. Reported across many cultures and religions, these experiences are commonly characterized by a sense of unity, transcendence of time and space, positive mood, ineffability, and a noetic quality. Theoretical models have emphasized psychological, neurological, and sociocultural explanations to account for their positive effects on individuals, and psychometric tools have been developed to offer standardized methods to assess experience intensity and impact. MEs indicate significant potential in clinical psychology and have demonstrated psychotherapeutic benefit in the treatment of various conditions. We propose a novel conceptual framework to guide future use of MEs in therapeutic contexts, as interest in the mystical realm exponentially grows. The framework centers around the ME itself highlighting a requisite non-ordinary state of consciousness to foster intensely felt experiences occasioning profound psychological impact. The framework posits that MEs require three pre-state factors: invitation, context, and individual aptitude. After experiencing an ME, a necessary mediating factor in experiencing beneficial change is the process of integration.

Severe postoperative pain can lead to chronic pain and long-term opioid use, increasing the risk of addiction. This study evaluated the feasibility and effects of therapeutic hypnosis (TH) compared to standard care (SC) on postoperative pain and opioid use in shoulder replacement surgery. Sixty-four out of 96 eligible participants were enrolled. Forty-nine completed the study; 25 received TH, and 24 received SC. TH participants listened to a hypnosis audio recording starting 7 days prior to surgery. Ninety-seven percent adhered to the treatment by accessing the recording at least once before surgery, and 90% reported satisfaction with the intervention. TH reported lower pain intensity than SC participants pre- and postoperatively, with medium effect size differences at Day 10. Additionally, TH participants used half as much opioid medication during the immediate postoperative period (Days 1-3) compared to SC participants. The TH intervention appears feasible, and conducting a fully powered clinical trial appears warranted.

This study investigates the relationship between hypnotizability inside and outside hypnosis. Hypnotizability reflects one's responsiveness to hypnotic suggestions. Imagery vividness seems to be crucial for hypnosis, but the empirical data are inconsistent. We tested 56 participants using the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) for outside hypnosis (trait) imagery, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) inside hypnosis for state imagery, and the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS) for hypnotizability. No significant correlation was found between hypnotizability and trait imagery (r = 0.13). However, moderate correlation was found between hypnotizability and state imagery during hypnosis (r ≈ 0.45). These results suggest that while there might be no or negligible relationship between general imaginative capacity (trait imagery), and hypnotizability, the ability to engage in vivid imagery in specific contexts (state imagery) is associated with higher hypnotic susceptibility. This highlights the importance of context in imaginative abilities during hypnosis and suggests that situational engagement in imagery, rather than a stable trait, influences hypnotic responsiveness.