Hypnotherapy for IBS: Results From 1,000 Patients
Oct 22, 2026The original paper
Miller V, Carruthers HR, Morris J, Hasan SS, Archbold S, Whorwell PJ. Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: an audit of one thousand adult patients. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2015.
Read the original paper on PubMed →
Summary
This is the largest real-world study of gut-directed hypnotherapy. It followed 1,000 adults with irritable bowel syndrome through a specialist NHS hospital clinic, where they had 12 sessions of hypnotherapy.
76% responded, meaning a clinically meaningful drop in symptom scores. Improvements also showed up in quality of life, anxiety and depression — and most people kept their gains at follow-up.
Key finding
76% of 1,000 patients had a clinically meaningful reduction in IBS symptoms.
Why this matters
The gut and the nervous system are in constant conversation. Calming the nervous system through hypnosis can calm the body itself.
Research is summarised in plain language for a general audience. Hypnotherapy and energy healing are complementary approaches and are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.