April 02, 2024

Hypnosis for Healing: Understanding the Powerful Science with Dr. David Spiegel (231)

1 hour 4 minutes

“Hypnosis is more like an anti-inflammatory drug, you use it to solve a problem.”

Join Dr. Ann Kelley and Dr. David Spiegel as they dive into the benefits and misconceptions of hypnosis. Hypnosis is a state of highly focused attention and cognitive flexibility, allowing individuals to explore new possibilities. Whether it’s trouble with sleep, intense anxiety, or a need to break bad habits, hypnosis has proven to be an effective tool for many. Dr. Spiegel has dedicated years of research and emphasizes the importance of accessibility to hypnosis in our healthcare systems. His app R E V E R I has over 1 million downloads and allows you to rewire your brain, conquer negative habits, and achieve personal growth from home.

“…People in hypnosis can turn down that superego part of the brain that says, ‘here’s who you’re supposed to be’and ‘here’s what you were raised to be’ and ‘here’s how you should be’, and just says – ‘What if I were different? What would it feel like?‘“ – Dr. David Spiegel

About our Guest – Dr. David Spiegel

Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he has been a member of the academic faculty since 1975, and was Chair of the Stanford University Faculty Senate from 2010-2011. Dr. Spiegel has more than 40 years of clinical and research experience studying psycho-oncology, stress and health, pain control, psychoneuroendocrinology, sleep, hypnosis, and conducting randomized clinical trials involving psychotherapy for cancer patients. He has published thirteen books, 404 scientific journal articles, and 170 book chapters on hypnosis, psychosocial oncology, stress physiology, trauma, and psychotherapy. His research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Fetzer Institute, the Dana Foundation for Brain Sciences, and the Nathan S. Cummings Foundation. He was a member of the work groups on stressor and trauma-related disorders for the DSM-IV and DSM-5 editions of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. He is Past President of the American College of Psychiatrists and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and is a Member of the National Academy of Medicine. He was invited to speak on hypnosis at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2018.

Time Stamps for Hypnosis for Healing

00:15 – Dr. Spiegel’s beginning with hypnosis work

2:30 – What is hypnosis?

2:56 – The myths around hypnosis

5:32 – How hypnosis is different from standard mindfulness?

8:29 – Similarities between hypnosis and mindfulness

13:29 – Effectiveness of hypnosis for sleep and anxiety

23:09 – Understanding the R E V E R I app

31:20 – The effects on smoking with hypnosis

37:20 – Hypnosis and trauma

44:48 – Who is a good candidate for hypnosis?

47:39 – Introduction to the “hypno-pharmacy” on the app

55:23 – Your hypnotizability and genetics

57:13 – Hypnotizability and attachment theory

Resources for today’s episode – Hypnosis for Healing

Dr. Spiegel’s Website & Profile

Publications – The full list of Dr. Spiegel’s publications

R E V E R I – Try Dr. Spiegel’s hypnosis app

Effect of Psychosocial Treatment on Survival of Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer – Referenced research article on psychosocial treatment

And of course, our book is also a great resource – it’s for professionals and life-long learners of all kinds. If you’ve read it we’d love to hear from you and if you support it, PLEASE leave a review on either Amazon or Goodreads. Tk you!!

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