The Science of Hypnosis: What Do We Know Today? A Narrative Review
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1
WSB Merito University in Gdańsk
2
Collegium Medicum, Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa
3
Polish Erickson Institute
Submission date: 2025-08-02
Final revision date: 2026-05-04
Acceptance date: 2026-05-14
Publication date: 2026-10-21
Corresponding author
Adam Wrzeciono
Collegium Medicum, Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa
Arch Psych Psych 2026;28(3)
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ABSTRACT
This article is a narrative review that synthesizes current scientific evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of hypnosis across a wide range of medical contexts, including pain management, anxiety disorders, stress reduction, and support for recovery processes. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed (as of December 31, 2025) to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Seventy-seven literature reviews met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Across these reviews, 74% report positive clinical effects of hypnosis, particularly in reducing pain, anxiety, and stress. Neuroimaging studies provide convergent evidence of functional brain changes during hypnosis, involving regions associated with attention, emotional regulation, and sensory modulation. The safety profile of hypnosis is favorable, with no significant adverse effects reported. Given the heterogeneity of hypnotic protocols and methodological variability across studies, these conclusions should be interpreted with appropriate caution. Nevertheless, hypnosis emerges as a safe, effective, and increasingly recognized therapeutic tool that merits broader adoption in evidence-based clinical practice.