Hypnosis Benefits the Immune System

Friday, November 06, 2009 by: Steve G. Jones, Ed.S.
Tags: immune system, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) The flu is expected to reach more people this year compared to the average flu season. There are many uncertainties this year due to the H1N1 influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that the H1N1 virus has caused the first pandemic (global outbreak) of influenza in 40 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that H1N1 is going to cause more people to get sick, more hospitalizations, and more deaths than the average flu season. Research has shown that hypnosis can improve the immune system and improve the body`s functioning.

According to the CDC, timing is uncertain. In past flu seasons, the outbreak has reached its peak in the months of January and February in the United States. However, the H1N1 virus caused sickness, hospitalizations, and death during the summer months, which is highly unusual. It is not known when the virus will reach its peak and how long it will last. Due to this uncertainty, people must be proactive about building their immune system to combat the flu.

Research performed at Washington State University in Pullman found that hypnosis strengthens two different types of immune cells that fight off disease. Sixty-five students participated in the study. Thirty-three participants were highly hypnotizable and responded well to hypnotherapy induction. Thirty-two participants had difficulty achieving a hypnotic state.

All 65 participants were randomly assigned into 3 separate groups. One group received hypnosis, one group received relaxation therapy, and one group served as the control group and received no form of therapy or treatment. Results showed that the participants who received hypnosis displayed a jump in 2 important types of white blood cells. Those who were highly hypnotizable and received hypnosis showed the greatest increase. This shows that hypnosis can help people boost their white blood cell count and thus boost their immune system and better enable themselves to fight off disease (Ruzyla-Smith).

Researchers from Ohio State University have determined that hypnotherapy can prevent the immune system from weakening due to stress. Hypnosis helps strengthen the immune system through relaxation. For people who worry a lot, are anxious, or are easily distracted, hypnosis helps them calm down so that their immune system does not weaken due to the stress. When hypnosis is induced in a person, relaxation techniques are used. Stress is a main contributor to a weakened immune system. Hypnosis acts to increase positive thinking through suggestion while using relaxation techniques to decrease stress (Holland).

It is important to keep your immune system strong so that you are able to fight off disease and viruses. Using hypnosis and eating healthy foods can help you keep your immune system strong through this pandemic. Reducing stress and increasing your white blood cells can greatly increase your odds of not getting the flu this season.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Questions and answers about the 2009-2010 flu season. Retrieved on October 23, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/current-...

Holland, E. (2001). Hypnosis may prevent weakened immune status, improve health. Retrieved on October 30, 2009 from http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/hypnosis...

Ruzyla-Smith, Patricia et al. (1993). As reported at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association.

About the author

Steve G. Jones, Ed.S. has been practicing hypnotherapy since the 1980s. He is the author of 22 books on Hypnotherapy. Steve is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, American Board of Hypnotherapy, president of the American Alliance of Hypnotists, on the board of directors of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Lung Association, and director of the Steve G. Jones School of Clinical Hypnotherapy.
Steve G. Jones, Ed.S. is a board certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Florida (1994), a master's degree in education from Armstrong Atlantic State University (2007), and is currently working on a doctorate in education, Ed.D., at Georgia Southern University. Learn more at:
http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/