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, marked by unity, transcendence, and a noetic quality, show therapeutic potential in clinical psychology. A new framework centers on the experience itself, requiring a non-ordinary state of consciousness for profound impact. It identifies three pre-state factors: invitation, context, and individual aptitude. After the experience, integration is a necessary mediating factor for beneficial change.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis
May 15, 2025
Chris E. Corlett, Cameron T Alldredge, Gary R Elkins
1 citation
A standardized hypnosis intervention designed to produce a mystical experience was tested for feasibility and acceptability. Ten college students, all in the mid-to-high range of hypnotizability, received a hypnotic induction and suggestions for a mystical experience in a setting similar to psychedelic drug research. The intervention proved feasible and acceptable, with a composite acceptability score of 9.45, no dropouts, and all participants willing to participate again. Seventy percent of participants met criteria for a complete mystical experience on the Mystical Experience Questionnaire. The results are encouraging but require replication with a larger sample.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
July 18, 2024
Alex P. Hood, Chris E. Corlett, Cameron T Alldredge et al.
1 citation
A critical review of six randomized controlled trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD finds that five show evidence of safety and efficacy. However, the review identifies serious methodological problems: lack of a suitable comparison condition, poor blinding, rigid trial designs, high treatment costs, and no head-to-head comparisons with established PTSD therapies. The sponsoring organization behind all trials may introduce bias. While the results are encouraging, there is not yet enough evidence to recommend widespread adoption of MDMA-assisted therapy over current validated treatments.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 29, 2026
Alex P. Hood, Gary R Elkins
A systematic review of 25 studies found that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) produces a large reduction in anxiety symptoms within groups (Hedge's g = 0.96) and a small reduction compared to control groups (Hedge's g = 0.48). However, the studies varied widely in psychotherapy format, dosing, session structure, and outcome timing, and high heterogeneity persisted even after accounting for these differences. The authors conclude that PAP shows promise for treating anxiety across different diagnoses but caution that variability in study quality, design, sample representativeness, and high heterogeneity limit confidence in the findings. More rigorous trials with diverse populations are needed.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
January 13, 2026
Victor Julián Padilla, Vanessa Muñiz, Katherine Scheffrahn et al.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials found that mindful hypnotherapy—an intervention combining hypnotic induction with mindfulness suggestions—produced large reductions in psychological distress (effect size 0.61) and stress (0.75), and a large increase in mindfulness (1.38) compared to waitlist and active control groups. The authors recommend future research on a wider range of clinical problems, use of active controls, measures of hypnotizability, and studies with diverse populations.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis
January 1, 2025
Gary R Elkins
This special issue explores the intersections between psychedelic experiences, mystical states, and hypnosis, addressing key questions about their similarities, differences, and clinical utility. It examines whether mystical experiences can be facilitated without drugs, the role of suggestion in psychedelics, and the potential of hypnosis and meditation to induce such states. The collection also investigates how psychedelics and hypnosis might enhance creativity and spiritual growth. By presenting thought-provoking answers, it deepens understanding of these non-ordinary states of consciousness and their therapeutic implications.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis
January 1, 2025
Katherine Scheffrahn, Cameron T Alldredge, Morgan Snyder et al.
Smartphone apps that deliver hypnotherapy vary widely in quality. A systematic review of app stores identified 679 unique hypnosis apps, of which 168 met inclusion criteria. The most common targets were sleep (56.0%), relaxation/meditation (54.8%), and stress (36.9%). Only 20.2% of apps indicated the developer or hypnosis provider was trained in hypnosis, 7.7% included claims of evidence-based treatment, and just four apps reported inclusion in a clinical efficacy trial. Although hypnotherapy apps have potential, apps based on evidence-based protocols and empirical research remain limited.