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