MAY 1999, VOLUME 27, NUMBER 1, Abstract 8
Hypnosis and Immune System Functioning
Karin Hannigan, Psychologist
The new interdisciplinary field of psychoneuroimmunology is giving greater credibility to the notion that the mind is able to influence the body. Autonomic nervous system functions which were believed to be out of conscious control are now thought to be more amenable to it. New interest is being shown in the effects of relaxation, imagery, and hypnosis on immune system function.
Research in the area of hypnosis and the immune system indicates that, generally, hypnotic intervention can moderate immune system functioning, although it is not yet clear to what extent this effect is due to a general relaxation response or hypnosis-specific effect. Research also suggests hypnotisability is positively correlated with the degree of immune system changes. Other immune system research utilising relaxation and imagery approaches which are “hypnosis-like” are also considered. Implications for future research are discussed.