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Huberman Lab

Dr. David Spiegel: Using Hypnosis to Enhance Mental & Physical Health & Performance

Feb 21, 2022
Dr. David Spiegel, a leading expert in clinical hypnosis from Stanford University, delves into the transformative power of hypnosis for mental and physical health. He discusses its applications in treating trauma, chronic pain, and anxiety, and shares fascinating case studies. Dr. Spiegel explains how self-hypnosis can enhance sleep and reduce stress, and he highlights its neurological benefits for cognitive flexibility. Listeners also learn how to identify their hypnotizability and why focused attention can reshape bodily functions and emotional responses.
01:48:56

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Hypnosis can be used to enhance mental and physical health by changing brain states and facilitating control over mind and body.
  • Specific brain networks are involved in hypnotic states, with decreased activity in certain regions contributing to therapeutic benefits.

Deep dives

Hypnosis and its Clinical Applications

Hypnosis, a state of highly focused attention, can be a powerful tool for various clinical applications. By changing brain states, hypnosis can enhance control over mind and body, making it useful for stress reduction, improving sleep, and managing anxiety. It can dissociate somatic reactions from psychological reactions, allowing individuals to feel more in control. Hypnosis has been shown to be effective in treating phobias, improving pain management, and even enhancing outcomes in medical procedures. The benefits of hypnosis can be experienced relatively quickly, and evidence suggests that it can lead to long-term changes. While seeing a professional trained in hypnosis is recommended, self-hypnosis techniques and the use of specialized apps like Reverie can also be effective in achieving therapeutic outcomes.

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