NOVEMBER 2000, VOLUME 28, NUMBER 2, Abstract 3
Self-Hypnosis Revisited: Much Ado About Nothing
Karin Hannigan, Consulting Psychologist
With recent advances in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), the ability of the mind to influence autonomic nervous system functions has created renewed interest in self-hypnosis and its ability to promote immune system enhancements and to support wellness. With such interest being shown in self-hypnosis, it is useful to review the conceptual framework which underpins our understanding of self-hypnosis and revisit the question which has long baffled researchers: Is self-hypnosis essentially the same as hetero-hypnosis? While advances have been made in our understanding of some of the differences between hetero-hypnosis and self-hypnosis, existing research is unable to demonstrate that self-hypnosis is essentially different from hetero-hypnosis.