Post-hypnotic safety suggestion improves stress coping with long-lasting effects

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Health Sciences

Background:

• Effective acute stress coping is crucial for mental health and stress resilience.
• Traditional stress-coping interventions often require extensive training periods.
• Hypnosis offers a potential avenue for rapid and effective stress management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel hypnosis-based intervention for improving acute stress coping.
• To assess the long-term efficacy of a post-hypnotic suggestion (Jena Safety Anchor) after a single session.
• To determine if the intervention enhances stress resilience and mental health.

Main Methods:

• A single hypnosis session was used to establish a post-hypnotic cue (Jena Safety Anchor).
• Sixty participants were divided into a safety group (using the anchor) and a control group (using a neutral anchor) during the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).
• Subjective (self-report) and physiological (saliva, blood, heart rate) stress responses were measured, along with long-term effects via an online survey one week later.

Main Results:

• Participants using the Jena Safety Anchor reported significantly lower stress levels during the TSST compared to the control group.
• The safety group exhibited fewer negative thoughts about their performance during stress recovery and one week post-intervention.
• The Jena Safety Anchor remained effective one week after its initial establishment, irrespective of individual suggestibility.

Conclusions:

• Post-hypnotic safety suggestions, activated by a cue, offer a potent method for improving acute stress coping.
• This hypnosis-based intervention demonstrates long-lasting effects after just one session, promoting mental health and stress resilience.
• The Jena Safety Anchor presents a promising, time-efficient approach for enhancing stress management capabilities.