Can clinical hypnosis play a meaningful role in treating parasomnias and other sleep disorders?

In this episode of the Mayo Clinic Sleep Medicine Podcast, sleep specialists discuss the principles, clinical application and emerging evidence surrounding hypnosis as a therapeutic option for parasomnias. Dr. Michael Silber is joined by Dr. Bhanu Kolla, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and board-certified sleep specialist with training in clinical hypnotherapy.

The conversation explores how clinical hypnosis uses focused attention, deep relaxation and therapeutic suggestion, along with what current research suggests about its potential neurologic mechanisms. Dr. Kolla also walks through a typical hypnosis session, including induction, mental imagery, progressive relaxation, therapeutic suggestion, reorientation and at-home self-hypnosis practice.

The discussion examines Mayo Clinic follow-up data involving patients treated with hypnosis for parasomnias, including non-REM parasomnias, overlap parasomnias and REM sleep behavior disorder. The physicians discuss reported treatment responses, limitations of the retrospective research, possible mechanisms of benefit and areas where hypnosis appeared less effective.

This episode is intended for physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and other health professionals interested in sleep medicine, parasomnias and nonpharmacologic approaches to patient care.

PTSD and sleep disturbances frequently overlap in clinical practice. In this episode of Mayo Clinic Sleep Medicine, Dr. Michael Silber speaks with Dr. Bhanu Kolla about the evaluation and management of sleep-related symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The discussion addresses PTSD-related nightmares, including the role of prazosin and psychotherapeutic approaches, as well as dream enactment behavior and trauma-associated sleep disorder. The panel also reviews insomnia in patients with PTSD, including cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and considers whether early treatment of sleep disturbance after trauma could influence subsequent PTSD risk.

Additional topics include the relationship between PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, other comorbid sleep disorders, and emerging research involving MDMA and psychedelic-assisted approaches for PTSD. The discussion emphasizes areas where evidence is established, where clinical uncertainty remains, and where additional research is needed.

 Dr. Bhanu Kolla is a professor of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and a board-certified specialist in sleep medicine and addiction medicine.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Sleep Medicine Podcasts, Dr. Bhanu Kolla, a Mayo Clinic specialist in sleep medicine and addiction medicine, joins host Dr. Michael Silber to discuss cannabinoids and their relationship to sleep.

The conversation explores the body's endocannabinoid system and how compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) may influence sleep. The experts review current evidence on cannabis and sleep architecture, including its potential effects on different stages of sleep.

The discussion also examines the available research on cannabis and several sleep disorders, including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Additional topics include potential risks and side effects of cannabis use, medication considerations, cannabis withdrawal, and how long cannabis may remain detectable in urine testing.

Finally, the episode addresses an important question for both patients and healthcare professionals: Does current scientific evidence support the use of cannabis or cannabinoid-based products in the treatment of sleep disorders?

Since our last podcast on restless legs 2 years ago, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published new clinical guidelines and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has revised their management algorithm.  These three podcasts update us on the changes in treatment of this common and distressing condition.  In the third podcast, we discuss management of dopamine augmentation, perioperative management of restless legs and management of restless legs in end-stage renal failure.

Since our last podcast on restless legs 2 years ago, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published new clinical guidelines and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has revised their management algorithm.  These three podcasts update us on the changes in treatment of this common and distressing condition.  In the second podcast, we discuss opioids, the control of ascites regarding dopaminergic therapy, and peroneal nerve stimulation.

Since our last podcast on restless legs 2 years ago, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published new clinical guidelines and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has revised their management algorithm.  These three podcasts update us on the changes in treatment of this common and distressing condition.  In the first podcast, we discuss iron and gabapentin opioid therapy.

A recent article suggested that obstructive sleep apnea was a possible risk factor for Parkinson's disease.  In this podcast, we discuss this important study and its implications, as well as the more general assessment of increasingly available similar studies based on large population data bases.

Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.

Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.

Epileptic seizures, especially in certain epileptic syndromes, are more common during sleep.  Conversely, seizures can disturb sleep, affecting daytime alertness.  Nocturnal seizures may also mimic the parasomnias that are more familiar to sleep medicine practitioners.  This podcast discusses practical aspects of these relationships.