Chris Corlett, Jesse J Norris, Sharika Majeti, Cameron Alldredge, Gary Elkins
{"title":"Hypnosis-based intervention for mystical experiences: a qualitative analysis.","authors":"Chris Corlett, Jesse J Norris, Sharika Majeti, Cameron Alldredge, Gary Elkins","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2026.2704105","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mystical experiences or peak spiritual experiences have been shown to be of potential benefit in facilitating personal growth and ameliorating anxiety and depression. A pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of hypnotically induced mystical experiences. Although participants' qualitative experiences were recorded and analyzed, they have yet to be reported. The present study presents a thematic analysis of findings from semi-structured interviews about individuals' subjective experiences following the hypnosis-based intervention for a mystical experience. Results revealed that participants described their experiences as personally significant, marked by intense emotion (crying, compassion, perceived release), hallucination-like phenomena (vivid imagery, synesthesia, sensed presence of deceased relatives), and insight regarding self-love, values, and life decisions. Additional themes included feelings of divine love, unity, and ego dissolution. These experiences closely resembled those reported in psychedelic contexts, while also featuring elements, such as spontaneous feelings of being loved, not fully captured by existing instruments. Future research on hypnosis, mental imagery, and guided exercises for mystical experience should include both standardized measures as well as subjective reports.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5000,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2026.2704105","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Mystical experiences or peak spiritual experiences have been shown to be of potential benefit in facilitating personal growth and ameliorating anxiety and depression. A pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of hypnotically induced mystical experiences. Although participants' qualitative experiences were recorded and analyzed, they have yet to be reported. The present study presents a thematic analysis of findings from semi-structured interviews about individuals' subjective experiences following the hypnosis-based intervention for a mystical experience. Results revealed that participants described their experiences as personally significant, marked by intense emotion (crying, compassion, perceived release), hallucination-like phenomena (vivid imagery, synesthesia, sensed presence of deceased relatives), and insight regarding self-love, values, and life decisions. Additional themes included feelings of divine love, unity, and ego dissolution. These experiences closely resembled those reported in psychedelic contexts, while also featuring elements, such as spontaneous feelings of being loved, not fully captured by existing instruments. Future research on hypnosis, mental imagery, and guided exercises for mystical experience should include both standardized measures as well as subjective reports.
期刊介绍:
The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis ( AJCH) is the official publication of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). The Journal publishes original scientific articles and clinical case reports on hypnosis, as well as books reviews and abstracts of the current hypnosis literature. The purview of AJCH articles includes multiple and single case studies, empirical research studies, models of treatment, theories of hypnosis, and occasional special articles pertaining to hypnosis. The membership of ASCH and readership of AJCH includes licensed health care professionals and university faculty in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, clinical social work, clinical psychology, dentistry, counseling, and graduate students in these disciplines. AJCH is unique among other hypnosis journals because its primary emphasis on professional applications of hypnosis.