Does Hypnosis Really Help With Pain Relief?

Emma Charlton
Sep 10
3 min read

Updated: Sep 12

Introduction

Yes — hypnosis has been shown in clinical studies to reduce the intensity of pain signals in the brain, often by around 30–50%, especially for individuals who are highly or moderately hypnotisable. This doesn’t mean it’s a cure or that pain will vanish forever, but for many people it can transform persistent suffering into manageable discomfort, improving quality of life.

A large meta-analysis of 85 controlled trials (with over 3,600 participants) found hypnotic interventions led to meaningful analgesic effects: a 42% reduction in pain for highly suggestible people and 29% for moderately suggestible individuals PubMed Medical News Today.

How does it work?

Pain isn't just a physical sensation—it’s processed and interpreted by your brain. Hypnosis modifies this interpretation, effectively turning down the "volume" of pain.

Stanford Medicine explains that hypnosis alters brain activity—particularly in the salience network, including the anterior cingulate cortex—which normally amplifies the perception of pain Stanford Medicine.

What kinds of pain can it help?

Hypnosis has demonstrated effectiveness across a wide spectrum of pain types, including:

Chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), back pain, migraines, and post-surgical pain Arthritis Foundation WebMD Mayo Clinic Lippincott Journals.
Severe chronic illnesses, including cancer and palliative care, where hypnosis significantly reduced pain and anxiety over long-term follow-up—up to two years—compared to controls Annals of Palliative Medicine.
Adjunctive pain relief: Studies show hypnosis adds benefits when combined with medications or other treatments, offering further reductions in pain levels NeuRA Lippincott Journals.
Acute procedural pain: In intensive care settings, hypnosis didn't significantly reduce pain scores—but did lower anxiety, increase comfort, and reduce the need for higher doses of lidocaine BioMed Central.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions needed varies:

According to the Arthritis Foundation, benefits often begin within 4–10 sessions, but some people respond sooner—or not at all—they aim to teach the technique so you can use it independently Arthritis Foundation.
A Stanford-led meta-analysis suggests many people feel differences within just 2–3 sessions, although longer-term chronic pain may require extended programs (noted in your draft).
Long-term programs, especially in palliative care, have shown significant pain reduction across 1–2 years of hypnosis plus self-hypnosis training Annals of Palliative Medicine.

Is it safe alongside medication?

Yes:

Hypnosis is 100% drug-free, non-invasive, and generally safe when administered by a trained professional Mayo Clinic ABPP.
It frequently reduces reliance on pain medications, including opioids or NSAIDs, when used adjunctively ABPP Annals of Palliative Medicine.
Safety profile is strong, with rare mild side effects (dizziness, headache, drowsiness) and precautions in place for individuals with serious mental illnesses Mayo Clinic.

Ready to explore whether hypnosis could help your pain? Book a free consultation today with a qualified hypnotherapist and discover how this evidence-based, drug-free approach might support your path to greater comfort and control.

Research Links & Resources

Meta-analysis on analgesic effect: Thompson et al., 2019 — 42% reduction for highly suggestible individuals, 29% for moderate PubMed Medical News Today
Brain mechanisms: Stanford Medicine insights on hypnosis altering salience network activity Stanford Medicine
Session guidance: Arthritis Foundation recommendation of 4–10 sessions Arthritis Foundation
Adjunctive benefits: NeuRA and UNSW findings on added benefits alongside treatment NeuRA Lippincott Journals
Long-term chronic and palliative care: University of Verona trial showing pain and anxiety reductions over 2 years Annals of Palliative Medicine
Safety and insurance: Mayo Clinic overview of conditions helped and safety considerations Mayo Clinic
Acute pain settings: ICU procedural pain study showing reduced anxiety and lower lidocaine needs