In this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, we speak with Dr. David Spiegel, a renowned expert in the field of hypnosis. Dr. Spiegel has decades of experience studying the applications of hypnosis in managing chronic pain, non-communicable diseases, and even cancer. Our conversation delved into the evolution of hypnosis from its early misconceptions to its current status as a scientifically-backed therapeutic tool for pain relief.

For show notes and additional resources, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com

For CEU courses, please visit integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/course

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review. Here’s How »

<p data-pm-slice= "1 1 ["aiblock",{"prompt":"","preview":false,"block":{"id":"blk_01JCNQ7HDQEEGYDYM4HVWHDV10","status":"succeeded","type":"prompt","selected_variation":0,"variations":["In this week's episode of the Pain Science Education Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. David Spiegel, a renowned expert in the field of hypnosis. Dr. Spiegel has decades of experience studying the applications of hypnosis in managing chronic pain, non-communicable diseases, and even cancer. Our conversation delved into the evolution of hypnosis from its early misconceptions to its current status as a scientifically-backed therapeutic tool.\n\nDr. Spiegel highlighted the significant advancements in understanding the brain mechanisms involved in hypnosis, such as the reduction of activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and the enhancement of connectivity between the executive control network and the insula. These insights have paved the way for hypnosis to be recognized as an effective method for pain management, anxiety reduction, and even smoking cessation.\n\nWe also discussed the common misconceptions about hypnosis, particularly the notion that it involves a loss of control. Dr. Spiegel clarified that hypnosis actually enhances control over one's brain and body, making it a valuable skill for managing pain and stress.\n\nOne of the most exciting parts of our conversation was learning about Reverie, an interactive digital hypnosis app co-founded by Dr. Spiegel. This app aims to make the benefits of hypnosis accessible to anyone with a smartphone, offering a practical and user-friendly way to experience pain relief, improved sleep, and reduced anxiety.\n\nDr. Spiegel also addressed the relationship between trauma and chronic pain, emphasizing the role of hypnosis in helping individuals process traumatic experiences and alleviate associated physical discomfort. He shared compelling examples of how hypnosis can be a first-line intervention for pain management, offering a safer alternative to opioids and other medications.\n\nFor those interested in exploring hypnosis further, Dr. Spiegel recommended downloading the Reverie app and visiting the website www.reveri.com for more information on the scientific basis and practical applications of hypnosis.\n\nAs always, I encourage you to share this episode with friends and colleagues who are interested in safe and effective non-drug treatments for chronic pain. You can find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Tag me there, and I'll be sure to engage with you. Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to bringing you more insights on pain science education next week."],"configuration":{"id":"blk_cfg_01HJ2RSYX80BRQFSPJZA6R9QT1","type":"prompt","name":"Summary","descrip