You may be wondering “what is gut-directed hypnotherapy?” On Instagram @AndreaHardyRD, I talk all about what gut directed hypnotherapy is and wether or not it could be a treatment option for IBS symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.
Will gut directed hypnotherapy have you quacking like a duck? 🦆
No! Lol though when my patients hear the word ‘hypnotherapy’ they worry it might.
Gut directed hypnotherapy (GDH) uses suggestion of symptom control to the subconscious mind, and utilizes the power of imagery and deep relaxation.
Many studies have found GDH improves:
– quality of life
– improvement in symptoms like nausea, bloating, gas, stool consistency and pain
– decreased anxiety & depression
We believe this works by way of ‘re-wiring’ the inappropriate communications between the brain and the gut – changing that conversation!
Researchers have postulated that because of the role of the gut microbiome in the gut-brain axis, perhaps changes to the microbiome occur and also contribute to its beneficial effect. However, in one small scale study, this appears to not be the case; there were no significant microbiome shifts when GDH was performed for 6 weeks.
🌀Who should consider gut directed hypnotherapy?🌀
🥑Those not appropriate for dietary intervention
One 3 arm trial of intervention-naive patients were randomized to receive either the low FODMAP diet, GDH, or both – assuming that because the mechanism of action is different, that there would be a synergistic effect. Surprisingly – there wasn’t! Both the diet and GDH groups improved equally.
😓I like to suggest it for patients for whom stress and worry is a driver of symptoms, even after the low FODMAP diet. While the research didn’t find synergistic benefit, I think what is important to highlight is – there is a subset of patients this is likely a good fit for. In fact the new ACG clincial guidelines suggest that GDH is a great adjunct in appropriately fit IBS patients!
doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
DOI: 10.1111/apt.13706
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113619
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