What is Gut-directed hypnotherapy?
Gut-directed hypnotherapy is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the UK's regulatory body for medicines and medical treatments.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy can help manage a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including:
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), including constipation‑predominant, diarrhoea‑predominant, and mixed types
• Functional dyspepsia
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating and distension
• Other Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction(DGBI), where communication between the gut and brain is disrupted.
Clinical hypnosis can help regulate the stress response and improve the way the brain processes signals from the gut, which in turn can support emotional health by alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Disorders of Gut-Brain interaction (DGBI) refers to impaired communication between the gut and the brain via the nervous system in both directions (from gut to brain and brain to gut).
What can cause DGBI?
Several factors are linked to the development of DGBIs, including a history of prior infections.
Depression and anxiety, though distinct conditions, can also be associated with DGBIs. While research continue to grow in this area, the exact mechanisms behind these disorders remain not yet fully understood.
The technical bit…
The term Disorders of Gut-Brain interaction now replaces Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders to challenge outdated perceptions that “functional” conditions are less real. This shift reflects a growing understanding of the gut-brain axis and recognises the influence of emotional health on digestive function, moving beyond the narrow distinction between “organic” and “functional” disorders
Why Hypnosis?
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We all experience the Hypnotic state in our everyday lives.
Have you ever driven home and not remembered anything about the journey, or been engrossed in a book and not been conscious of time passing? If so, you've been in a state of focused attention, not unlike the feeling of being Hypnotised.
During Hypnosis, you will be guided into a similar state so that beneficial suggestions can be directed towards your subconscious mind
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Hypnosis is simply a state of focused attention. In this relaxed state, your mind is more responsive to suggestion. In a therapeutic setting, the suggestions are designed to be beneficial to help you change unhelpful thought patterns.
Clients often comment about how 'ordinary' Hypnosis feels – it's not unlike daydreaming. You can often hear everything that is being said whilst in a deeply relaxed state. In fact, you could think of it as guided daydreaming.
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Contrary to the image portrayed in films, books and the media, Hypnosis does not involve the therapist taking control of your mind – no one can Hypnotise you against your will. Nobody can make you do anything you do not want to – your subconscious mind will simply reject any suggestion that is inappropriate for you.
