Should you try hypnosis to stop drinking? Experts weigh in
'Hypnosis is the oldest Western form of psychotherapy, but it is underutilized,' Dr. David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and a leading authority in the field of hypnosis, told Fox News Digital.
What is hypnosis?
Advertisement
Hypnosis is not itself considered a therapy. Rather, it enhances other treatments by inducing a state of increased concentration while reducing peripheral awareness, experts say.
4 Clinical hypnosis has shown to be effective in the treatment of pain, anxiety, stress, cancer treatment side effects, phobias, smoking and weight control.
Monika Wisniewska – stock.adobe.com
The practice aims to put people in a deep state of relaxation so they can learn more easily.
Shawn Criswell, Ph.D., a mental counselor practicing in Oregon, defines it as 'a gentle way of shifting people's focus to new ideas and perspectives that can help improve their lives.'
Advertisement
Added Criswell, 'It does this in part by connecting them with their strengths and resources, empowering them in the process, and directly contradicting the old, tired myth that in hypnosis, you'll give up control of yourself.' He co-authored, together with Michael Yapko, Ph.D, the latest edition of 'Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis.'
Past research suggests that hypnosis may alter brain activity related to attention and consciousness.
'The brain activation patterns during hypnosis — such as for color, pain and sound — are similar to those observed during actual experiences,' Dr. Ryan Sultan, attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and director of the Mental Health Informatics Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.
4 According to doctors, clinical hypnosis therapy can reduce cravings for those struggling with alcohol use disorder.
Pixel-Shot – stock.adobe.com
Advertisement
Some people may choose to practice self-hypnosis, which he described as the process of entering a trance-like state without the guidance of a hypnotist.
Sultan compared it to entering a 'controlled, simplified state' in which people may be more open to certain ideas and therapeutic suggestions.
But the effects can be short-lived, he noted, and some individuals may find it difficult to maintain the hypnotic state without external cues.
The treatment technique has been approved by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association. To maximize its safety and effectiveness, Sultan recommended hypnosis by a qualified professional.
Can hypnosis cure alcohol dependence?
Advertisement
Hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by encouraging motivation, reducing cravings and helping to manage stress, according to Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City.
The expert emphasized, however, that hypnosis is not a standalone cure for problem drinking. Instead, it's part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychiatric support and targeted medications when necessary.
4 Hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by encouraging motivation, reducing cravings and helping to manage stress.
Africa Studio – stock.adobe.com
'There is less evidence about alcohol problems, but I have had patients stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies,' Spiegel noted.
'One of my patients thought about that concept in hypnosis, and said, 'You mean, the body is the temple of the soul?'' he added.
Risks and regulations
Hypnotherapy presents little risk, according to Spiegel.
'The worst thing that can happen is that it may not always work,' he told Fox News Digital.
Possible mild side effects include dizziness and emotional release. There is also a risk of false memories if used for memory recall, Sultan cautioned.
Advertisement
The therapy is also not recommended for people with severe mental illness, such as psychosis, experts say.
4 Experts said that hypnotherapy presents little risk to one's mental health.
RFBSIP – stock.adobe.com
Mayo Clinic also notes that side effects are uncommon, but that some people may experience anxiety, sleepiness, headache and nausea.
'It is best to seek care from a psychiatrist or psychologist with specialized training in clinical hypnosis,' Bazzi told Fox News Digital.
Advertisement
'These professionals can objectively assess your susceptibility to hypnosis, determine whether it is an appropriate and potentially effective intervention for your specific concerns, and develop a comprehensive, multimodal treatment plan tailored to your needs,' she added.
For those seeking a hypnotist, experts recommend visiting the websites of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or The International Society of Hypnosis, both of which offer directories of professionals who have expertise and often certification in the practice.
Warning signs of alcohol use disorder
Some 28 million Americans aged 18 and older are living with alcohol-use disorder, according to 2023 estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
People may be drinking excessively if they consume enough alcohol in one sitting to raise their blood alcohol level to greater than 0.08, or if they drink more than a certain number of drinks in one week, experts say.
Advertisement
This generally equates to women having four or more drinks or men consuming five or more drinks at once — or a weekly amount of eight or more drinks for women or 15 or more drinks for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Signs of an alcohol problem include experiencing a loss of control when drinking, continuing to drink despite adverse consequences, and experiencing compulsive cravings when not drinking – often referred to as the 'three Cs.'
Those who think they may have an alcohol-dependence problem and are interested in seeking alternative therapies should contact their doctor for recommendations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Men's Ears Aren't ‘Wired Different' And They Don't Sleep Through Baby Crying, New Study Shows
There may be a significant social divide in parenting responsibilities, but that doesn't mean that this division is inevitable or biological. The imbalance of emotional labor between moms and dads is shifting. Dads now are taking far more active roles in parenting than in previous generations, and there are stand-up (and stand-out) dads in every generation, but there are still some duties that fall much more heavily on moms. In fact, moms report far more sleep disturbance than dads in the first six years of parenthood, and especially in the first months with a new baby, but the latest studies show that there's no natural-born inability in men to wake when babies cry. 'Dads Just Sleep Heavier' Many of us have heard this as though it's an existential truth, from our mothers, from our friends, even from nurses and pediatricians. It's deeply ingrained that waking up with the baby (even if it's not to nurse) is just something moms do, even if both parents also work, and even if the mom is also responsible for the bulk of daytime childcare. If you spend much time at all listening to new moms talking about their experiences, asking for advice, venting, and sharing, whether it's in person among friends, in online forums, or even in advice columns, you'll encounter the same complaint in a variety of forms: 'My husband can't hear the baby monitor, even when it's on his side.' 'My husband says he'll take a turn with the baby, but he doesn't wake up when she cries, and it's easier to get up with her myself than to wake him.' 'My husband and I are disagreeing about how to balance night feedings.' The answers roll in. Inevitably, a lot of replies will claim that men just aren't biologically wired to wake up when their babies cry, and others will place the responsibility on the mother, assuring her it's her responsibility to wake her husband to take his turn at night parenting. How much is this affecting parental well-being? One study in 2021 found that mothers reported about four times as much sleep loss per night compared to fathers (on average, 62 minutes compared to 13) in the first three months postpartum, and the disparity continues to some degree through a child's 12th year. Brain Imaging Shows Dads Do Hear, Then They Dismiss The Sound Okay, women are more likely to react to the quietest sounds, but only by a slim margin, according to the study published by the American Psychological Association. They're 14% more likely to hear whisper-level sounds during sleep. Once the sound volume is increased, men and women wake equally, but women are three times as likely to get up and check on the baby. The study found 'some evidence for equal sharing' in 23% of the couples in the dataset. Overall, though, the data seems to indicate that while men and women both hear the sounds an infant makes when waking in the night, in most households, the mother gets up and handles the situation, while the father goes back to sleep. Biology, Or Socialization? In a species that nurses its young, it's understandable that there would be some normalization of the nursing parent taking the primary caregiver role, including through the night. However, that doesn't hold up when society has had baby formula and breast pumps for generations, and when the sleep disruption disparity continues long past nursing age. If the disparity was built on feeding needs, the difference wouldn't persist as children are weaned off of nighttime feedings, and certainly not into school age! That 23% of households where the nighttime split is more equitable also helps prove that this role doesn't have to be gendered. Moms do a majority of the nighttime parenting, but that doesn't have to be the case. Is This A Blame Thing? It's easy (especially when you're overtired and maybe a little frustrated with other incidents of weaponized incompetence) to read this study's conclusions as a condemnation of male parenting. To do so, however, is an oversimplification that does further injustice to parents of any gender and to their children. Instead, what we can take from the study is that dads are capable of stepping up and sharing the parenting duties at night. Some of them are already doing it. Just because dads sleeping through the night while moms keep juggling 24-hour parenting duty has become a norm, doesn't mean that it has to stay that way. It starts with changing our expectations, and how we talk about parenting and childcare — and yes, we need more dads to step up. Every family will have to develop their routines, and this will include factors like work schedules, the needs of other children, and individual abilities. The goal, though, is that one parent doesn't end up shouldering an imbalanced portion of the invisible work, or of the sleep deprivation — and the science says that goal is achievable. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
How many people are affected by Lyme disease? Here's what to know
Justin Timberlake recently shared his Lyme disease diagnosis on social media, calling the experience "relentlessly debilitating." "If you've experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically," he wrote. Timberlake shed light on a disease that impacts thousands of Americans every year. Over 89,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by state health departments in 2023 – the most recent year of data available. According to the CDC, other estimates found that the number of those diagnosed and treated for the disease could be as much as 476,000 annually. Globally, an estimated 14% of the world's population has been diagnosed with the disease, according to Project Lyme, an advocacy organization working to eradicate the epidemic of tick-borne diseases. The CDC said Lyme is the most common disease transmitted through tick bites. Here's what to know about the tick-borne illness: Where are ticks found? Maps show where the disease-carrying parasites live How to spot a Lyme disease-carrying tick The blacklegged tick and Western blacklegged tick can spread Lyme disease, which can lead to a wide range of health problems. In high-risk areas, an estimated 10% to 50% of blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. These high-risk areas include: Hallmark symptoms of Lyme disease in the acute stage include a 'bullseye' rash (erythema migrans), fever, chills, fatigue and muscle and joint aches. Without treatment, Lyme disease can progress to include neurological, heart and joint problems. Do you know the signs of a tick bite? What to look for How many people have Lyme disease? With climate change raising temperatures, tick populations have expanded into new regions and put more people in contact with ticks and their illness-causing bacteria. Annual cases are expected to continue to climb. Between 2022 and 2023, Lyme disease cases increased 43%. What is Lyme disease? Justin Timberlake shares 'debilitating' diagnosis How to stay safe from tick bites The CDC and other public health authorities recommend the following to keep you and your family safe from ticks:
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
How A New Generation Of Doctors Are Using Patients' Own Bodies To Fight Wrinkles And Hair Loss
Mention the words "Botox"or "filler," and the image conjured in the mind's eye of many is still one of overfilled duck lips, a frozen, expressionless face, or puffed-up pillow cheeks—the artificial appearance of youth. It's why some people still cringe at the idea of surrendering their face to a cosmetic dermatologist. No one wants to look overdone. Wouldn't it be great, these people may be wondering, if there were alternative treatments that tapped the body's own regenerative processes for softer-looking results? Well, good news: The future is now. Functional medicine doctors are bringing their integrative approach to noninvasive aesthetics, harnessing new technology that uses a patient's own biological material (mostly their blood) and other cutting-edge naturally-derived molecules. Most importantly, these practitioners pride themselves on offering a customized experience that delves deeply into their patients' medical history—not merely an assessment of their visual appearance. 'Comprehensive lab work, an analysis of symptoms, and other diagnostic tools allow us to create a plan that meets you where you are to help you live as vibrantly as possible,' says Raheleh Sarbaziha, MD, an integrative aesthetic physician based in Beverly Hills. It's more like visiting your GP than a dermatologist. Meet the experts: Raheleh Sarbaziha, MD, is an integrative aesthetic physician based in Beverly Hills. Alexander GolBerg, MD, DO, is a double board-certified functional and aesthetic physician in New York City. Nadia Musavvir, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor based in Miami. Steven Williams, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Oakland, CA and the immediate past president of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Yes, many of them are still using muscle relaxing injections like botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers—after all, they're effective in the right hands—but the focus is on addressing the root cause of the visible signs of aging rather than just masking them with surface-level fixes. Some of these treatments—stuff like PRP, PRF, NAD+, exosomes, and peptides—may be familiar to you. Some may feel completely foreign. Either way, we've got a bird's eye view into all of these advancements from the physicians leading the charge. Meet the new era of undetectable aesthetics. The guiding philosophy For the uninitiated, functional medicine, which has been around for decades, is characterized by a merging of traditional Western practices with personalized lifestyle recommendations that may encompass a supplement regimen, an anti-inflammatory diet, and IV therapy to treat everything from vague concerns like low energy and brain fog to conditions as varied as anxiety, depression, autoimmune disorders like lupus, and seasonal allergies. The goal is to address what's happening below the surface, rather than focusing solely on symptoms, by tapping the body's natural healing processes. 'Functional medicine is about regaining function and supporting the body so it can operate at optimal levels during all stages of life,' says Dr. Sarbaziha. And that approach extends to the health and vitality of your skin and hair: It's about treating the body as a single, integrated system and rejuvenating the entire system at the cellular level. Hair loss, for example, isn't viewed as just a scalp issue. The goal of the functional medicine doctor is to identify what's happening inside the body that's causing the shedding. A significant piece of this puzzle is the idea that when your mitochondria—the energy centers of each cell—are firing on all cylinders, your body functions more efficiently, says Alexander GolBerg, MD, DO, a double board-certified functional and aesthetic physician in New York City. 'When the body can produce sufficient energy and heal properly, it also improves skin health,' he says. Just as important as optimally functioning mitochondria is a healthy gut. 'This is so key because when the gut is healthy, it's reflected in the skin,' says Dr. Sarbaziha. 'When inflammation is low, hair starts to regrow. When hormones are balanced, your mood, energy, and glow return. Everything in the body is connected, part of the same ecosystem.' The fact that you'll leave these offices looking better is almost a by-product rather than an end goal. 'As we improve and optimize cellular function, we also improve appearance,' says Nadia Musavvir, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor based in Miami. 'Reducing systemic inflammation, for example, tends to lead to decreased redness and puffiness and a slower rate of collagen breakdown.' A new approach to aging. For the most part, traditional cosmetic treatments performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon are focused on improving visible changes that have already occurred. They've got it backward, according to functional medicine doctors. 'With traditional anti-aging procedures, the internal reasons for changes in the skin are not addressed,' Dr. Musavvir says. 'I have patients who've done aesthetic procedures, and although they may look younger than their chronological age, their cellular age is older.' It's a nuance that's not addressed during a routine Botox appointment, but will likely be the focus of a consult with a functional aesthetics doctor. You'll discuss your skin and hair concerns and goals and, after a physical assessment, be bombarded with questions about your medical history, lifestyle, and current skincare routine. From there, baseline blood work, a hormone panel, and nutrient testing will be ordered to devise a unique-to-you treatment plan. 'We're not trying to simply freeze or fill away the signs of aging; we're working with the body to address them internally too,' explains Dr. Sarbaziha. That's not to say fillers and neurotoxin injections aren't on the menu—they're just typically combined with regenerative treatments like peptides, polynucleotides, exosomes, and platelet-rich plasma and fibrin (PRP and PRF). 'We want to stimulate collagen, improve blood flow, support skin structure, and reduce inflammation, leading to more harmonious, sustainable results that are rooted in good health—not just cosmetic change,' says Dr. Sarbaziha. It's an approach that's generating buzz, but not everyone is sold—mostly because the science on some of these newer treatments isn't all that solid. 'It's easy for patients and providers to get swept up in claims about miracles,' says Steven Williams, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Oakland, CA and the immediate past president of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). 'While some of these therapies are backed by rigorous science, others are just wishful thinking. It's important to be honest about the limitations." The functional aesthetics toolkit. Though every protocol is different, there are a few things that typically pop up in the repertoire of a functional aesthetics provider. These are a few of the most common, all focused on enhancing the health and appearance of the skin and hair. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Two of the most popular treatments for enhancing the look of skin and improving hair loss are PRP and PRF. The former is so well-substantiated, it's become commonplace in the offices of traditional cosmetic dermatologists across the country—even Dr. Williams is a fan. Both PRP and PRF involve a simple blood draw, which is then spun down to extract the platelets that are injected into the scalp or face to do their job. While they can be done on their own, PRP and PRF are often used along with microneedling and laser tightening to help speed up the healing process. PRF is considered a second-generation platelet concentrate technology, and research shows it can produce higher levels of tissue-regenerating growth factors that are released in a more prolonged way. While four PRP or PRF treatments are typically recommended to combat hair loss, 'results for thinning can be seen after the second treatment, with hair quality changes normally setting in around the three- to six-month mark,' says Dr. GolBerg. When it comes to skin, both are known to stimulate collagen and elastin and can be used under the eyes to help brighten and in the cheeks, temples, and nasolabial folds for more fullness. 'PRP floods the tissue with growth factors that signal repair, boost collagen production, and improve skin texture,' says Dr. Williams. 'It's not magic; it's cellular logistics. If you want skin that glows, this is where to start.' Exosomes Think of these extracellular vesicles, which can be derived from human stem cells or biomimetic plant material, as tiny shuttles that travel deep into skin where they help cells communicate with one another to stimulate growth and healing. Rich in growth factors, exosomes can be used on the scalp to encourage thicker, healthier hair, or to improve skin quality. For the most part, they're injected (or used topically) alongside microneedling, PRP, or PRF. But note: Exosomes are not FDA-approved, so they remain a somewhat ambiguous area in the world of aesthetics. NAD+ An abbreviation for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ is often referred to the ultimate anti-aging IV cocktail remedy. It's a coenzyme that's present in all the cells in our body, and research shows it assists with energy production, DNA repair, and overall cellular health. It also naturally declines with age, which is why functional medicine doctors try to get more into the body in the form of IV drips, topical products, and supplements. The theory goes that 'by optimizing NAD+ levels, cellular health and function are restored, which is reflected by less collagen breakdown, fewer gray hairs, and reduced hair loss,' says Dr. Mussavir. While many of these therapies are used on their own, another key tenet of the functional aesthetic philosophy is to stack or combine regenerative treatments to produce more dramatic results. Dr. GolBerg's Signature Lift, for example, relies upon a combination of Botox, collagen-stimulating PDO threads, and PRF to sculpt, lift, tighten, and rejuvenate. He insists the results are comparable to a surgical facelift—without the downtime. The future is bright (and firm). If any—or all—of this sounds appealing, it's important to find a vetted expert. 'A practitioner who doesn't know what to look for will just recommend the buzziest supplement or treatment and get limited results,' says Dr. Musavvir. That's why it's crucial to find someone qualified, experienced, and educated in functional and aesthetic medicine. Many functional aesthetic therapies are still in their infancy and not FDA approved, so it's important to grill your provider about the science to find someone who uses these treatments responsibly. And while the crossroads of aesthetic and functional medicine are still being paved, the promise of natural-looking results by less invasive means is appealing—and is changing the way many people look at cosmetic tweaks. 'At the very least, it's clear to me that people want more than just filling, cutting, and freezing,' says Dr. Williams. But, he cautions, buyer beware: 'In a world that thrives on innovation, it's tempting to chase the new thing. But when it comes to your face, stick with what's been proven—people deserve results rooted in evidence, not alchemy." You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
