Hypnosis consists of an altered state of consciousness that results in expanded perception. “It’s about leaving reason so that something happens at the bodily level,” explains Dr Jean-Marc Benhaiem who informs that themedical hypnosis aims to heal the awkward relationship that a person has with an organ, a function, a part of their body.
What is digestive hypnosis?
Digestive hypnosis is directed or focused on the digestive tract. The goals of gut-focused hypnotherapy are to induce a state of deep relaxation to guide the patient to learn to soothe and regulate their gut function. “This hypnosis aims to reconcile the person in conflict with their stomach”, explains Dr. Benhaiem. To achieve this, the therapist uses sensory perceptions and helps the imagination and metaphors adapted to his patient. He or she can ask the person to place their hand on their stomach to provide warmth and relieve pain. “We ask the person to visualize that their red colon becomes pink, therefore less inflammatory, to imagine the transit as a vehicle that moves in slow motion in their colon in order to slow down intestinal transit,” describes the doctor interviewed. Other possible metaphors are visualizing the stomach as an inflated balloon that is slowly deflated to reduce abdominal bloating. Digestive hypnosis can be done individually or in a group.
Digestive hypnosis: effective in relieving bloating
Digestive hypnosis is based on sessions of 30 to 60 minutes, at weekly intervals for 6-12 weeks during clinical studies, but in practice two to four sessions may be sufficient. Numerous scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of digestive hypnosis in improving the symptoms of digestive diseases, such as pain, bloating, transit disorders, in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This effectiveness is particularly important for bloating. (1). It has also been shown that this positive effect of hypnosis is maintained in the long term. This is why hypnosis is recommended for people suffering from intractable bloating.
Digestive hypnosis: why does it relieve bloating?
The mechanisms of hypnotherapy’s effect on the digestive system are not clearly understood. What we know is that this therapy has physiological effects on the intestine: hypnosis modulates the speed of intestinal transit, the secretion of gastric acid and reduces visceral hypersensitivity. “When the person is reconciled with their stomach, the body calms down, relaxes, and relieves spasm.” says Dr. Benhaiem.
*Author of “A new way to heal” published by Odile Jacob, published in 2023.
(1) Miller V, Carruthers HR, Morris J, Hasan SS, Archbold S et al. Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: an audit of one thousand adult patients. Food Pharmacol Ther. 2015;41:844–855.