Hypnotherapy: From Basic Research to Clinical Practice

Dear Colleagues,

Aims and Scope

This Special Issue is dedicated to presenting the most recent, rigorous scientific investigations and evidence-based clinical applications of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. We seek to bridge the gap between foundational cognitive, neuroscientific, and psychophysiological research on hypnotic states and suggestibility, and their translation into effective, evidence-based, and integrative clinical practice.

We aim to showcase how modern hypnotherapy, often integrated with other modalities such as CBT and Mindfulness, is moving beyond historical misconceptions to become a validated, high-priority treatment for a wide range of psychological and medical conditions.

Key Thematic Areas

Submissions are invited across the spectrum of basic science, translational research, and clinical trials.

1. Basic Research and Mechanisms

Submissions focusing on the fundamental science underpinning hypnosis are welcomed, with topics including the following:

• Neurophysiological Correlates: Studies using fMRI, EEG, and other neuroimaging techniques to investigate brain activity and functional connectivity during hypnotic induction and suggestion.
• Cognitive and Psychological Mechanisms: Research exploring the role of hypnotizability, suggestion, expectation, absorption, dissociation, and the reduced sense of agency in mediating hypnotic effects.
• Mind–Body Interaction: Investigations into how hypnotic suggestions modulate physiological processes, such as pain perception, immune function, and regulation of the autonomic nervous system.
• Distinguishing Effects: Studies comparing and contrasting the effects of hypnosis with placebo, mindfulness, and simple relaxation.

2. Clinical Applications and Efficacy

Submissions focusing on evidence-based applications and robust clinical trial data are welcomed, with topics including the following:

• Pain Management: Hypnotic analgesia for acute, chronic, and procedural pain (e.g., in surgery, cancer care, fibromyalgia).
• Anxiety, Stress, and Mood Disorders: Efficacy of hypnotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, PTSD, and depression.
• Gastrointestinal and Functional Disorders: Applications for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and other psychosomatic conditions.
• Behavioral Medicine: Studies on smoking cessation, weight management, sleep disorders, and managing menopausal vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes).
• Pediatrics and Lifespan Applications: Utilizing hypnotherapy in children and adolescents for procedural anxiety, habit control (e.g., enuresis), and chronic illness.
• Hypnosis in Surgery and Medical Procedures: Its role as an adjunct therapy to reduce pre-operative anxiety, medication use, and enhance recovery.

3. Translational Practice and Integration

Submissions focusing on how research findings are implemented in real-world settings are welcomed, with topics including the following:

• Integration with Psychotherapy: Hypnosis combined with approaches such as CBT, Mindfulness, and Ego State Therapy.
• Technological Delivery: Research on the effectiveness and safety of self-hypnosis apps and tele-hypnotherapy/remote delivery.
• Ethical and Training Considerations: Contributions addressing ethical frameworks, competency models, and guidelines for the safe and effective practice of clinical hypnosis.
• Innovative Protocols: Development and testing of new hypnotic protocols.

Types of Submissions Welcome

• Original Research Articles
• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
• Methodology Papers (e.g., guidelines for clinical trials)
• Review Articles
• Theoretical and Conceptual Papers

Dr. Giuseppe De Benedittis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• hypnosis
• brain mechanisms
• neuroimaging studies
• EEG studies
• hypnotherapy
• hypnotic analgesia
• neurocognitive studies