Two bits of science today.
The first: check out https://mindspaodyssey.com/the-mindspa/ and the ‘Journey through the stars’ audio.
There are 3 versions there. One is from the pc, one is from a lapel mic. The third is the PC version but I used the Adobe Enhance Speech AI with it.
I find the results super interesting.
Which do you think is the better of the three recordings?
The second bit of science…
I recently received an e-mail from Ant Jacquin, with whose father (Freddy) I did my first formal hypnotherapy training (and it was very good).
The e-mail was about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the efficacy of hypnotherapy in helping people with it.
It turns out hypnotherapy does more than just distract from or ease discomfort. It’s actually remarkably effective at helping people leave IBS behind, live a life free from it.
Here’s an article with an actual doctor and their experience with hypnotherapy for IBS:
It’s a common story. I’ve heard a trainer say,
“People come and see us last. They couldn’t find ‘witch doctor’ in the Yellow Pages, so they come to us instead.”
It speaks to the last stand, the last hope, the desperation people have. Hypnotherapy sounds weird and woo to many. It’s probably not helped by some of the practitioners. Yet there is good quality, peer-reviewed, scientific literature and research going on into this fascinating phenomenon.
To quote Ant from his e-mail:
‘This statement from, Tan, G., Hammond, D. C., & Gurrala, J. (2005). Hypnosis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review of Efficacy and Mechanism of Action. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 47(3), 161–178, sums it up succinctly.’
‘ “When evaluated according to the efficacy guidelines of the Clinical Psychology Division of American Psychological Association, the use of hypnosis with IBS qualifies for the highest level of acceptance as being both efficacious and specific.” ‘
If you’re looking for a deeper dive into possible mechanisms, Ant also refers to this paper:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022040397
If you look through various NHS sites, pathways and more, you’ll find even the NHS has a favourable position towards hypnotherapy for IBS.
Need more examples?
AboutIBS (https://aboutibs.org/treatment/complimentary-or-alternative-treatments/hypnosis-for-ibs/) recommend hypnotherapy as well, though I think they have a different definition of what hypnosis is and involves (imagery is definitely a staple of the vast majority of decent hypnotherapy experiences – a topic for another post).
TheIBSNetwork (https://www.theibsnetwork.org/therapies/hypnotherapy/) also finds hypnotherapy to be effective – even for long-term relief.
To top it all off, I used to have IBS. My stomach would turn itself in knots. The cramps, the pain, needing to be near a toilet, not being able to eat out without taking a lot of precautions….
I started learning and teaching myself hypnosis, hypnotherapy, a deeper appreciation of how the mind works. I outgrow my IBS, left it behind in the past and forgot I ever had it. Ant’s e-mail last week was the first reminder in almost 2 decades that I’d suffered with IBS for something like 20 years.
IBS seems to be multifactorial – it’s affected and/or caused by a bunch of different factors. It’s very likely it’s not just one thing for all people. It’s also a fabulously clear and worked example of how there’s a mental aspect to any injury or illness. Sometimes that mental aspect can make a huge difference – and here’s where hypnotherapy really shines.
If you’re curious about hypnotherapy or getting relief from IBS, feel free to message me or check out the links and support networks.