IMAGINE THAT! FIVE BENEFITS OF GUT-DIRECTED HYPNOTHERAPY

January 4, 2023JAMES “JED” FOSTER, JR., MA, LMFT GUT-DIRECTED HYPNOTHERAPY

Wait…hypnotherapy? For my gut? Yes.

There is a two-way superhighway between your brain and your gut. Science has shown us that a “second brain” lives in our gut that both sends signals to and takes cues from our brain in a continual “dance.” Some gastrointestinal disorders, and their accompanying symptoms, can cause – and/or be caused by – interruptions, agitations, and changes along the mind-gut axis. For example, particularly sudden and stressful experiences can shut down or even reverse the digestive process as our body and brain move into the “fight or flight” response. Another example presents itself when digestive pain or discomfort causes anxiety that keeps us from engaging in activities, work, and play, which can adversely affect our quality of life. Several factors – food choice, activity, disease, environment, even your thoughts and behaviors – can make a big difference in your overall health and well-being. So how does gut-directed hypnotherapy fit in?

First, hypnotherapy is not like the hypnosis seen in the movies or in entertainment. There is no “mind control.” Hypnotherapy is actually a collaborative process that patients experience with full awareness. Patients are often asked to describe what they’re seeing and ask other questions that help the clinician target the therapy for the best results. Patients remember the details of the session, which actually helps them access the tools discussed in the session to help them reinforce positive behaviors. In gut-directed hypnotherapy, the clinician works with the patient on progressive relaxation, healthy and protective imaging, creating automatic behavioral responses through suggestion, breath work, and mindfulness. It is much like a guided meditation with imagery and language geared toward changing the bodies response to stimuli like stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and anything else that threatens to upset the balance of the gut’s microbiome. In short, hypnotherapy targets inflammation and the immune system by lessening the effects of negative or limiting emotions on the digestive tract.

One of the leading researchers on gut-directed hypnotherapy, Olafur S. Palsson, PsyD, reviewed the available science and conducted studies on the effects of gut-directed hypnotherapy. Here are the 5 benefits science has shown come directly from gut-directed hypnotherapy.

At least half of patients who have been unresponsive to usual medical approaches find relief through gut directed hypnotherapy.
A treatment course of 7-12 session of hypnotherapy is sufficient to produced marked symptom improvement.
All of the central symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, and bloating, can be expected to improve substantially in those who respond to treatment.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy commonly provides broader benefits than bowel disorder symptom relief. These “positive side effects” include enhancement in quality of life and reduction in other non-GI symptoms.
People that respond to treatment experience these improvements for years after the treatments have ended (Palsson, 2014)

Please click on these links to read more about how gut-directed hypnotherapy works and how it can improve the quality of your life:

Behavioral Health Specialists of Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health’s Behavioral Therapist, James E. Foster, Jr., MA-LMFT is a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and offers gut-directed hypnotherapy both on-site and through video telemedicine sessions. He is happy to answer any questions you have about this incredibly effective treatment protocol. Please call 224.407.4400 or visit www.compgihealth.com to schedule an appointment or learn more.