Feasibility of a Hypnosis Intervention for a Mystical Experience.
Chris E Corlett, Cameron T Alldredge, Gary R Elkins
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis May 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2025.2491352 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA standardized hypnosis intervention designed to produce a mystical experience was tested for feasibility and acceptability. Ten college students, all in the mid-to-high range of hypnotizability, received a hypnotic induction and suggestions for a mystical experience in a setting similar to psychedelic drug research. The intervention proved feasible and acceptable, with a composite acceptability score of 9.45, no dropouts, and all participants willing to participate again. Seventy percent of participants met criteria for a complete mystical experience on the Mystical Experience Questionnaire. The results are encouraging but require replication with a larger sample.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | College student participants |
| Intervention | Hypnosis intervention |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Psychedelic experience Hypnosis-therapy Mystical-states Consciousness-research |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | 70% of participants met criteria for a complete mystical experience after a hypnosis intervention. |
Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to determine feasibility and acceptability of a standardized hypnosis intervention for a mystical experience based on a conceptual framework including cognitive expectancy, demand characteristics, the induced hypnotic state, and the role of hypnotizability. Ten college student participants provided informed consent and received a hypnotic induction and hypnotic suggestions for having a mystical experience. The hypnosis intervention was provided in a setting similar to that used in psychedelic drug research. All participants were in the mid-to-high range of hypnotizability. Results revealed that the hypnosis intervention was feasible and acceptable based on a composite acceptability score of 9.45 and no dropouts. All participants indicated that they would participate again if given the opportunity. Additionally, 70% of participants met criteria for a "complete mystical experience" as measured by the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30). While these results are encouraging, additional research is needed, including replication with a larger sample.