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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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Published on: January 5, 2014
Modulation of gastric acid secretion by hypnosis.
Hypnosis can significantly alter gastric acid secretion. In healthy volunteers, hypnosis stimulated acid production when imagining food but inhibited it when focusing on relaxation, demonstrating central nervous system control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Gastric acid secretion is a complex physiological process.
- The central nervous system (CNS) plays a role in regulating digestion.
- Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dual effect of hypnosis on gastric acid secretion.
- To explore hypnosis as a tool for studying CNS control of gastric function.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted on highly hypnotizable healthy volunteers.
- Study 1: Hypnosis used to stimulate gastric acid secretion via imagery of eating.
- Study 2: Hypnosis used to inhibit gastric acid secretion via relaxation and thought removal, compared to a no-hypnosis control.
Main Results:
- Hypnotic suggestion to imagine eating increased gastric acid output by 89% (p = 0.0007).
- Hypnotic suggestion for relaxation reduced basal acid output by 39% (p < 0.05) and peak acid output by 11% (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Hypnosis can both stimulate and inhibit gastric acid production.
- These findings highlight the CNS's influence over gastric acid secretion.
- Hypnosis presents a safe and accessible method for investigating these central control mechanisms.
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