Published hypnosis research

Research

Read selected studies, examine their methods, and discuss what their findings can support.

These notes summarize four selected public primary studies for education and study discussion. They are not a complete literature search or clinical guidance. Findings apply only to the studied intervention and population; they do not validate Al Hypnosis or its generated sessions. Private supplied books are excluded from this catalog.

English collection · Sources checked

Study collection

4 studies

  • Stress · 2026

    Effects of app delivered self hypnosis on stress management

    Retrospective observational analysis of app-session records with repeated pre- and post-session stress ratings.

  • Pain · 2021

    Efficacy of a self-hypnotic relaxation app on pain and anxiety in a randomized clinical trial

    Prospective, randomized, parallel-group, single-blind clinical trial using an intention-to-treat design.

  • Mechanisms · 2017

    Brain activity and functional connectivity associated with hypnosis

    Laboratory functional MRI experiment with counterbalanced hypnosis, rest, and memory conditions.

  • Habits · 2018

    Effects of self-conditioning techniques (self-hypnosis) in promoting weight loss in patients with severe obesity

    Randomized controlled trial of self-hypnosis teaching added to a lifestyle intervention.

Editorial study notes

Effects of app delivered self hypnosis on stress management

Tran N, Saperia C, Neri E, et al. Effects of app delivered self hypnosis on stress management. npj Digital Medicine. 2026;9:11. doi:10.1038/s41746-025-02182-0.

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How the study was conducted

Design
Retrospective observational analysis of app-session records with repeated pre- and post-session stress ratings.
Population
84,395 users contributing 282,893 stress-reduction sessions from November 2021 through January 2025.
Comparison
Each session's 10-point self-rated stress score before and after the session; there was no untreated or alternate-intervention control group.

What the study reported

Original source
  • Across the first 10 sessions, estimated immediate stress reductions ranged from 1.447 to 1.623 points on the 10-point scale.
  • The analysis did not find meaningful longitudinal change in pre-session stress or in the size of the immediate reduction across repeated sessions.

Limits of the evidence

Original source
  • The retrospective, uncontrolled design cannot show that the sessions caused the reported change.
  • The users selected themselves into app use, and stress was a single immediate self-rating rather than a long-term clinical outcome.
  • David Spiegel was a Reveri co-founder and scientific advisor; independent faculty oversaw the analysis and manuscript work, but the financial relationship remains relevant context.

Source checked:

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Discuss the studies

Ask about a study's methods, findings, or limitations. Select up to three studies to compare their evidence.

Discussion uses reviewed notes from these public sources. It does not provide personal medical advice or establish that this app works.

Supplied books are not connected to this public study collection. Only the studies listed here are available for discussion.

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