American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
September 4, 2026
Chris E. Corlett, Jesse J. Norris, Sharika Majeti et al.
Mystical experiences or peak spiritual experiences have been shown to be of potential benefit in facilitating personal growth and ameliorating anxiety and depression. A pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of hypnotically induced mystical experiences. Althrough participants' qualitative experiences were recorded and analyzed, they have yet to be reported. Although participants' qualitative...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 29, 2026
Alex P. Hood, Gary R Elkins
Abstract Background and Aims Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is a novel, transdiagnostic treatment in which the 5-HT2A receptor agonist psilocybin is combined with psychotherapy. Studies to date have evaluated PAP's effects on depression, substance use, and end-of-life adjustment. Relatively less attention has been given to its effects on anxiety symptoms, which are highly comorbid with...
Behavioral Sciences
January 13, 2026
Victor Julián Padilla, Vanessa Muñiz, Katherine Scheffrahn et al.
Mindful hypnotherapy is an intervention that integrates hypnotic induction and direct suggestions (hypnosis) to increase mindfulness and reduce distress. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the effects of mindful hypnotherapy on psychological distress and mindfulness in adults. Further, the study evaluated the methodological quality of the...
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
July 21, 2025
Cameron T Alldredge, Meredith Vagner, Chris E. Corlett et al.
1 citation
Mystical experiences (MEs) are often profound and transformative encounters with a transcendent reality. Reported across many cultures and religions, these experiences are commonly characterized by a sense of unity, transcendence of time and space, positive mood, ineffability, and a noetic quality. Theoretical models have emphasized psychological, neurological, and sociocultural explanations to...
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
May 15, 2025
Chris E. Corlett, Cameron T Alldredge, Gary R Elkins
1 citation
The purpose of the present study is to determine feasibility and acceptability of a standardized hypnosis intervention for a mystical experience based on a conceptual framework including cognitive expectancy, demand characteristics, the induced hypnotic state, and the role of hypnotizability. Ten college student participants provided informed consent and received a hypnotic induction and...
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
2025
Gary R Elkins
The potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic, mystical experiences, and peak spiritual experiences are of increasing interest among clinicians, researchers, and the public. Several studies have proposed potential parallels between the altered states of consciousness associated with psychedelics and hypnosis. Although there has been increased interest in psychedelics, mystical experiences,...
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
2025
Katherine Scheffrahn, Cameron T Alldredge, Morgan Snyder et al.
For over a decade, the growing use of smartphone apps provided a way to make hypnotherapy more widely accessible. However, available apps vary widely in the quality of hypnosis provided to users. This study systematically reviewed apps delivering some form of hypnotherapy intervention and summarized their characteristics. Using hypnosis-related search terms, a list of apps was generated,...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
July 18, 2024
Alex P. Hood, Chris E. Corlett, Cameron T Alldredge et al.
1 citation
AbstractBackground and AimsPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that affects a sizable proportion of U.S. civilians, military personnel, and veterans. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) is a novel treatment approach for PTSD that has both stirred media enthusiasm and drawn criticism. This critical review analyzes individual randomized,...
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
2021
Elizabeth E. Slonena, Gary R Elkins
A novel, audio-based brief mindful hypnosis (BMH) intervention for reducing stress-reactivity during the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was investigated. Fifty-five college-aged participants with elevated stress were randomized to BMH or a cognitive training (CT) active-control condition. Participants received a BMH or CT session and downloaded the audio-recorded intervention for daily home...
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
2018
Juliette Bowers, Hyeji Na, Gary R Elkins
The concept of "flow" refers to a state of heightened attention and concentration in a current task. Benefits of entering a flow state may include the ability to optimize performance by reducing conscious cognitive processing. Various theories have suggested that flow is a state of consciousness similar to that of hypnosis. The present study addresses the relationship between flow and...