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Physiological effects of emotion: assessment via hypnosis
P J Whorwell1, L A Houghton, E E Taylor
1Department of Medicine, University Hospital of South Manchester, UK.
Lancet (London, England)
|July 11, 1992
Summary
Hypnosis significantly reduced colonic motility and physiological stress markers in irritable bowel syndrome patients. Specific emotions like anger and excitement increased colonic activity, while happiness further decreased it.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Psychophysiology
- Neurogastroenterology
Background:
- Assessing physiological stress effects requires suitable laboratory techniques.
- Hypnosis offers a safe method to induce intense emotional states for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of hypnotically induced emotions on distal colonic motility in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients.
- To explore hypnosis as a tool for studying emotion-physiology interactions.
Main Methods:
- 18 IBS patients (aged 20-48) underwent hypnosis to induce excitement, anger, and happiness.
- Distal colonic motility, pulse rate, and respiration rate were measured.
- Changes in motility were analyzed based on contraction rate and amplitude.
Main Results:
- Hypnosis alone reduced colonic motility index, pulse, and respiration rates.
- Anger and excitement significantly increased colonic motility, pulse, and respiration.
- Happiness further reduced colonic motility, though not significantly compared to hypnosis alone.
Conclusions:
- Hypnosis is a valuable tool for investigating emotion's physiological effects, potentially beyond the gastrointestinal system.
- Reduced fasting colonic motility under hypnosis may explain its therapeutic benefits for functional bowel disorders.
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