Hypnosis has been a topic of scientific inquiry for over a century.
In the early 20th century, pioneers in the field like Sigmund Freud and Émile Coué used hypnosis in their clinical practices, while researchers such as Clark Hull and Milton Erickson sought to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying hypnosis.
Today, hypnosis remains a popular tool in clinical and therapeutic settings, and several peer-reviewed scientific journals are dedicated to the study of hypnosis and related topics. In this article, we will examine seven such journals: the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, the Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, Contemporary Hypnosis, and the Journal of Mind Body Regulation.
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (IJCEH) was first published in 1953 and is the official publication of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH), the American Psychological Association (APA) Div. As its name suggests, the journal publishes articles on the clinical and experimental aspects of hypnosis, including research on hypnosis as a therapeutic tool for various conditions, as well as studies investigating the underlying psychological and neural mechanisms of hypnosis.
The IJCEH, it could be argued, has a historical bias towards a psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approach to hypnosis, which emphasises the role of unconscious processes and internal conflicts in shaping behaviour and mental states. This bias is reflected in the journal's publication history, which includes many articles that explore the use of hypnosis in psychoanalytic therapy, as well as studies that examine the relationship between hypnosis and unconscious processes such as repression and dissociation.
Notable contributors to the IJCEH include Ernest Hilgard, who is known for his work on the "hidden observer" phenomenon in hypnosis, and Michael Yapko, who has conducted extensive research on the use of hypnosis in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
One excellent article published in the IJCEH is "A meta-analysis of hypnotically induced analgesia: How effective is hypnosis?" This meta-analysis by Montgomery et al of 18 studies revealed a moderate to large hypnoanalgesic effect, supporting the efficacy of hypnotic techniques for pain management. The results also indicated that hypnotic suggestion was equally effective in reducing both clinical and experimental pain. (1)
Other papers from IJCEH worth your attention include:
(2015) Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63:1, 1-9
(1963) Norms on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 11:1, 39-47
(1994) Brain Dynamics and Hypnosis: Attentional and Disattentional Processes, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 42:3, 204-232
(2007) Hypnotherapy for the Management of Chronic Pain, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55:3, 275-287
(1971) The affect bridge: A hypnoanalytic technique, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 19:1, 21-27
(2005) Attention and Hypnosis: Neural Substrates and Genetic Associations of Two Converging Processes, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 53:3, 237-258
American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (AJCH) was first published in 1958 and is currently published by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Like the IJCEH, the AJCH publishes articles on the clinical and experimental aspects of hypnosis, with a particular focus on the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy and medical settings.
The AJCH, it could be argued, has a theoretical bias towards a cognitive-behavioural approach to hypnosis, which emphasises the role of conscious thought processes and learning in shaping behaviour and mental states. This bias is reflected in the journal's publication history, which includes many articles that explore the use of hypnosis in cognitive-behavioural therapy, as well as studies that investigate the role of cognitive processes such as attention and expectancy in hypnosis.
Notable contributors to the AJCH include Milton Erickson, who is known for his innovative approach to hypnotherapy, and Daniel Brown, who has conducted extensive research on the use of hypnosis in the treatment of trauma and dissociation.
One article that I value by Wilson and Barber from 1978 is "The Creative Imagination Scale as a Measure of Hypnotic Responsiveness: Applications to Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis." You can find the scale online, and I would encourage any hypnotist to guide people through it, without an induction or any mention of hypnosis, and check the results for yourself.
Other articles of interest include:
(1980) Hypnotic Susceptibility Revisited, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 22:3, 130-146
(2020) What Milton Erickson said about being Ericksonian, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 63:1, 4-13
(2021) Neurophysiology of hypnosis in chronic pain: A review of recent literature, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 64:1, 62-80
(1972) An Eye-Roll Test for Hypnotizability, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 15:1, 25-28
(1974) Suggested Auditory and Visual Hallucinations in Task-Motivated and Hypnotic Subjects, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 17:2, 94-101
Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
The Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis was first published in 1973 and is currently published by the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnosis. The journal covers a range of topics related to hypnosis and hypnotherapy, including research on the mechanisms of hypnosis, its use in clinical and therapeutic settings, and its applications in areas such as sports performance and education.
The Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis does not have a specific theoretical bias towards any particular approach to hypnosis.
A notable contributor to the Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis include Tracy O'Keefe, a specialist in using hypnotherapy to overcome drug problems.
One article from 1999 of interest is by Kathryn Gow and concerns whether recovered memories are real, fabricated or both. Something all hypnotists should consider before suggesting things can be remembered. (3)
Contemporary Hypnosis
Contemporary Hypnosis was first published in 1982 and is currently published by the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis. The journal covers a broad range of topics related to hypnosis and hypnotherapy, including clinical applications, research on the mechanisms of hypnosis, and debates and discussions about theoretical and practical issues in the field.
Contemporary Hypnosis does not have a specific theoretical bias towards any particular approach to hypnosis.
Notable contributors to Contemporary Hypnosis include Irving Kirsch, who has conducted research on the use of hypnosis in the treatment of pain and depression, and Michael Heap, who has published extensively on the theoretical and practical aspects of hypnosis.
A good place to start is with the article "Hypnosis to manage distress related to medical procedures: a meta analysis", by Schnur et al. Results overall indicated a large positive effect. (4)
Other papers of interest include:
Gruzelier, J. (1998), A working model of the neurophysiology of hypnosis: a review of evidence. Contemp. Hypnosis, 15: 3-21
Halsband, U., Mueller, S., Hinterberger, T. and Strickner, S. (2009), Plasticity changes in the brain in hypnosis and meditation. Contemp. Hypnosis, 26: 194-215.
Liossi, C. and White, P. (2001), Efficacy of clinical hypnosis in the enhancement of quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients. Contemp. Hypnosis, 18: 145-160.
Stoelb, B.L., Molton, I.R., Jensen, M.P. and Patterson, D.R. (2009), The efficacy of hypnotic analgesia in adults: A review of the literature. Contemp. Hypnosis, 26: 24-39.
Journal of Mind Body Regulation
The Journal of Mind Body Regulation was first published in 2011 and was published by the Society for Mind-Body Science. It is no longer active, but the archive is available. The journal focuses on the interplay between psychological, physiological, and behaviooral processes in health and disease, with a particular emphasis on mind-body interventions such as hypnosis, meditation, and biofeedback.
The Journal of Mind Body Regulation does not have a specific theoretical bias towards hypnosis.
Notable contributors to the Journal of Mind Body Regulation include Daniel J. Siegel, who has conducted research on the neurobiological underpinnings of mindfulness and other mind-body practices, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, who is known for his work on the use of mindfulness-based interventions in the treatment of stress and chronic pain.
One article that gives a good flavour of the journal is "Contemplative Practices and the Power of The Mind" by Raz. (5)
Value as a Resource
These five scientific journals provide a wealth of information on the theory, practice, and research of hypnosis and related mind-body interventions. By examining the history, notable contributors, and biases of each journal, as well as highlighting groundbreaking articles published in each, we can gain a deeper understanding of the field of hypnotherapy and its potential applications in clinical and therapeutic settings.
The IJCEH and AJCH are valuable resources for practitioners interested in the clinical and therapeutic applications of hypnosis, with an arguable historical bias towards psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioural approaches, respectively. The Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis provides a broader perspective on the field of hypnotherapy, with a focus on diverse theoretical and practical approaches. Contemporary Hypnosis offers a forum for debates and discussions about theoretical and practical issues in the field, while the Journal of Mind Body Regulation provides a platform for research on the interplay between mind and body in health and disease.
Together, these journals offer a comprehensive and multidisciplinary view of the field of hypnotherapy, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms, applications, and potential of hypnosis and related mind-body interventions. Researchers, clinicians, and practitioners can use these journals as a resource for staying up to date with the latest developments in the field, as well as for exploring new perspectives and approaches to hypnotherapy.
References:
(2000) A meta-analysis of hypnotically induced analgesia: How effective is hypnosis?, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
2. (1978) The Creative Imagination Scale as a Measure of Hypnotic Responsiveness: Applications to Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 20:4, 235-249
3. Kathryn M. Gow (1999) Recovered memories of abuse: Real, Fabricated, Or Both?, Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis Vol . 27, No . 2, 1999, 81–97
4. Schnur, J.B., Kafer, I., Marcus, C. and Montgomery, G.H. (2008), Hypnosis to manage distress related to medical procedures: a meta-analysis. Contemp. Hypnosis, 25: 114-128.
5. Amir Raz. Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012):Contemplative Practices and the Power of The Mind. Hypnosis and Meditation: Complementary Perspectives on Consciousness and Cognition