04/01/2026
🧠 World Hypnotism Day!
Today is World Hypnotism Day — an opportunity to highlight hypnosis and hypnotherapy from a scientific and psychological perspective.
🔬 Hypnosis is not sleep, but a state of focused attention.
Neuroimaging shows brain activity during hypnosis differs from both sleep and wakeful rest.
🔬 Hypnotherapy works with normal brain function.
It engages networks involved in attention, emotion regulation, imagination, and learning.
🔬 Conscious and subconscious processes are both involved.
Awareness remains, while subconscious patterns become more accessible for change.
🔬 Hypnosis has recognised clinical applications.
Research supports its use as an adjunct for stress regulation, habit change, pain, sleep, and anxiety support — and beyond.
🔬 Autonomy and safety are central.
Individuals remain aware, in control, and actively involved throughout.
🌿 At its core, hypnotherapy uses focused attention and deep relaxation to support learning, regulation, and neuroplastic change.
A day to acknowledge the science behind the state.