The answer is yes, absolutely anyone can be hypnotised, and entering into hypnosis is as easy as day dreaming. So if you can day dream or relax your mind in any other normal way, then you can enter hypnosis.

In fact the state of hypnosis is best described as an inwardly focused and absorbed state and is a completely natural and normal state for you to enter into.

Hypnosis is one of the safest techniques available to people of all ages to address a number of common challenges. Safety, responsibility, and integrity are some of my top most priorities at The Calm and Happy Gut. Please be aware that there are certain precautions before using hypnosis & meditations.

IMPORTANT: Do not listen to hypnosis recordings whilst driving or operating heavy machinery. In addition the hypnotherapy recordings are not designed to be listened to by anyone suffering from epilepsy or severe mental health issues, including psychosis. The information provided is not intended to diagnose treat or cure any disease or illness. If you are unsure about the suitability of these recordings please consult a medical professional before listening. Do not stop taking any medications without speaking to your physician, nurse practitioner, mental health provider or other health care professional. If you have or suspect that you have a medical or mental health issue, contact your own health care provider promptly.

In essence, gut directed hypnotherapy works by teaching people how to gain control of physiological responses and symptoms that are not normally under conscious control.

Early studies have suggested gut directed hypnotherapy has both psychological and physiological effects due to the potential mechanisms of action on the gut-brain axis. This is to say, hypnotherapy is thought to physically change the functions of the gut by changing the nerve communications that run between the gut and the brain.

While research has shown that gut directed hypnotherapy produces real physical changes in the body, rather than just helping patients to dismiss symptoms, scientists are not sure exactly how this mechanism takes place – yet. They just know that it works. Here are some examples of what gut directed hypnotherapy has been shown to influence in people with IBS:

Firstly, gut motility: reducing distal colonic motility – that’s how fast waste products move through the colon
Secondly, Visceral sensitivity: improving rectal sensitivity – that’s how nerves in the gut and rectum react to pain and discomfort signals
Thirdly, Immunological effects: preliminary studies have shown that gut directed hypnotherapy may improve immune system function.
And lastly, Central Processing: gut directed hypnotherapy has been shown to normalise central processing patterns of pain signals.

Each of us will experience the state of hypnosis differently, and this can also vary session to session. Sometimes hypnosis can feel as though you are in a dream-like state, whereas at other times it can feel as though you are just relaxed and focused.

Hypnosis and meditation are distinct practices with different aims and techniques. Hypnosis is primarily used for therapeutic purposes, involving a trance-like state and suggestions to bring about specific behavioral or emotional changes. It is often guided by a trained professional. On the other hand, meditation focuses on cultivating mindfulness, relaxation, and self-awareness. It is typically self-directed, involving techniques like focused attention or observing thoughts without judgment. 

Listening to a hypnosis session last thing in the evening is a wonderful way to relax from the day, however if you can start your day with one of these sessions then I would recommend it. It’s a great way to start the day in a calm, focused and balanced way. Experiment with different times and see what works best for you.

Sometimes deep hypnosis can feel like you are asleep. However, if you're waking up at the end of the session then you may not actually be asleep, and you’ve likely fallen into a deeper state of hypnosis. In this state you will still be absorbing the suggestions given on a subconscious level.

Now, if you don’t hear the count up at the end, you have probably drifted into sleep at some stage. In this case you will probably only absorb the suggestions to the point where you went into a deeper sleep. If you are finding that you falling sleep during sessions, I suggest you listen at a time when you are not tired, and or sitting upright or in a less comfortable chair so you are more likely to stay awake.

Simply put it’s a form of psychological treatment which involves looking at the link between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Over the years CBT has become one of the most popular types of therapy, probably because it’s generally short-term, goal-oriented, hands-on and has been proven to work.

Your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and IBS symptoms are all connected. CBT aims to help you to recognise and challenge the unhelpful thoughts and beliefs you have about your symptoms which may be contributing and keeping alive the vicious cycle of IBS.

For example, depending on how you think and feel about your IBS symptoms and your diagnosis, you may pay greater attention to what’s going on inside of your body, and in turn feel more anxious, which actually increases your sensitivity to pain.

A simple analogy of a mosquito bite can be used to highlight the influence of focusing in on a specific area such as your stomach, on heightened sensations such as increase in pain and discomfort. Just like with a mosquito bite the more you think about and focus on the bite, the more it itches. And the more its itches, the more you scratch it, and the redder, sorer and itchier it gets.

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