Hypnosis and Upper Digestive Function and Disease
A review exploring the potential for hypnosis to influence digestive function and its therapeutic role in upper gastrointestinal disorders.
This paper examines the potential of hypnosis to influence upper digestive function, including effects on both motor activity and secretory processes in the gastrointestinal system.
The authors review research investigating whether hypnotic techniques can modulate digestive physiology and improve symptoms associated with upper gastrointestinal disorders.
Particular attention is given to how hypnosis may interact with the brain–gut axis, a communication system linking psychological processes with digestive function.
Research suggests hypnosis may influence gastrointestinal motor activity, potentially affecting how the upper digestive tract moves and processes food.
Hypnotic suggestion may also influence digestive secretions, highlighting the potential interaction between psychological processes and gastrointestinal physiology.
Evidence reviewed in the paper suggests hypnotherapy may have therapeutic value for some upper gastrointestinal conditions by influencing the brain–gut axis.
The review highlights the growing evidence that psychological processes can influence digestive physiology through the brain–gut axis. Hypnosis may provide a way to modulate this interaction, potentially improving symptoms in certain gastrointestinal conditions through changes in perception, stress response and neural regulation of digestive function.
This review supports the idea that hypnosis may influence digestive processes and could play a role in the management of some upper gastrointestinal disorders.
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