NOVEMBER 2003, VOLUME 31, NUMBER 2, Abstract 5
Self-Hypnosis and Immune Function, Health, Wellbeing, and Personality
John Gruzelier, Imperial College London
Our research is reviewed examining the efficacy of self-hypnosis in reducing the effects of stress on the immune system and, importantly, the consequences for health. Training included medical students before exams and patients with chronic, virulent genital herpes. Convincing changes were obtained in immune function and wellbeing. Common viral illnesses were reduced at exam time while herpes recurrences were almost halved along with increased cytotoxicity of natural killer cells for the virus. Participants with a cognitively activated personality had a better outcome, as did hypnosis that involved conjuring up a dynamic scenario of a healthy, defensive immune system.