SleepDisorderChronicle

The Big Lie—Is Hypnosis Actually Increasing Insomnia?

Hypnosis is a world renowned technique that has been used to reduce insomnia ever since the 1930s. It is still popular today, among alternative health doctors as well as patients who don’t want to experience the negative side effects that accompany medication. Yet, many health experts argue that hypnosis is actually increasing insomnia. Could the theory behind hypnosis as a treatment for insomnia be completely wrong?

How Hypnosis “Supposedly” Works

Hypnosis has long been used as a method of solving behavioral problems. Someone who is hypnotized enters a state where the mind is both focused and open to suggestion. During this stage of the process, a therapist will attempt to identify what the causes of the sleep disorder might be.

While still in a hypnotized state, the patient might be persuaded by the therapist to reverse the problematic behaviors. The therapist can also suggest that the patient focus on a full night of rest and on recreating stable sleep habits. Overall, hypnosis is supposed to help the patient achieve a relaxed state of mind, thus being an effective treatment for insomnia.

When Is Hypnosis Used?

Hypnosis is typically used to treat insomnia when the case is mild, and it is usually prescribed in addition to other forms of treatment. Some people pay for hypnosis services, while others perform what is called “self hypnosis.”

The Problem with Hypnosis and How it Increases Insomnia

Some studies have shown that hypnosis is not effective at treating insomnia at all—in fact, these studies indicate that hypnosis only increases insomnia and causes patients to lose sleep. According to the claims of some patients, hypnosis treatments lowered their sleep requirements, meaning that they actually got less sleep than before. In the cases of these patients, hypnosis actually increased insomnia.

If hypnosis does, as these patients claim, reduce the amount of necessary sleep, then this would promote the deficits in mental functioning and physical health that are so frequently associated with lack of sleep. Considering the startling amount of people who already suffer from insomnia, the thought that hypnosis could only increase this number is quite disturbing.

Not Worth the Risk

Although there has never been enough evidence to support the claims that hypnosis increases insomnia, the potential of this reality should not be worth the risk of attempting hypnosis. Does the treatment that has been acclaimed for so long really do the opposite of what it is intended to do? More research is needed to answer this question. Is the risk of increasing insomnia with hypnosis worth it? The answer to this question should be obvious.

Tags: insomnia