A guide to inner peace
Hosted in partnership with the British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis (BSMDH), the triennial gathering of the European Society of Hypnosis brought together leading clinicians, researchers and academic experts from across Europe and beyond.
Centred on the overarching theme ‘Let hypnosis guide you to inner peace’, the congress, held at the University of Glasgow, highlighted the integration of evidence-based clinical hypnosis across medicine, psychotherapy and healthcare.
Among the key participants was Dr Mike Gow, of the Berkley Clinic, Glasgow, who as well as presenting a session on ‘COMPISS: A Hypnoanalysis Technique for Rapid and Effective Therapy’ and co-presenting a workshop on ‘How to incorporate humour to enhance hypnotic outcomes’, also chaired several sessions.
A cornerstone of the four-day event was the application of hypnosis in dental medicine. With dental anxiety, needle phobia and acute pain management remaining significant challenges in modern clinical practice, the conference presented compelling research and practical frameworks for embedding hypnotic interventions into routine oral healthcare.
Managing odontophobia and procedure anxiety
A series of presentations focused on overcoming severe dental phobia (odontophobia). Researchers showcased clinical protocols using rapid trance induction techniques combined with systematic desensitisation. These methods allow highly anxious patients to undergo complex dental interventions, such as root canal treatments, extractions and implant placements, with minimal distress and significantly reduced physiological stress markers.
Non-pharmacological analgesia and anaesthesia
Several workshops explored hypnotic analgesia as either an adjunct to or a substitute for local anaesthetics in specific patient demographics. Key sessions demonstrated how suggestions focused on sensory alteration (e.g., glove anaesthesia, thermal imagery and localised numbness) can alter central pain processing pathways. Presenters highlighted success stories in managing patients with severe allergies to local anaesthetics, pregnant patients seeking to minimise pharmaceutical exposures and individuals undergoing minor soft-tissue procedures.
Physiological control: haemostasis and salivation
Beyond anxiety and pain, clinicians examined the physiological control achievable through targeted hypnotic suggestion. Dental sessions featured clinical trial findings where hypnosis was used to manage excessive salivation (sialorrhea) and control capillary bleeding (haemostasis) during surgical procedures. By modulating autonomic nervous system responses, hypnotic suggestions were shown to reduce operative time and create a clearer visual field for surgical dentists.
Treatment of parafunctional habits and orofacial pain
The congress addressed the growing prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding). Speakers presented multi-session hypnotherapeutic protocols targeting muscle relaxation, stress reduction, and neuromuscular re-education. Results demonstrated long-term reductions in facial pain scores, joint clicking, and tooth wear, offering an effective alternative or complement to traditional occlusal splints.
Overall, the congress emphasised the bridge between medical science and clinical hypnotherapy. Dental practitioners shared panels with anaesthetists, psychologists and neuroscientists, fostering cross-disciplinary discussions on the neurological mechanisms of trance state; specifically, how functional neuroimaging (fMRI) reveals altered connectivity in the brain’s salience and default mode networks during hypnotic analgesia.
The congress reaffirmed that dental hypnosis is far more than a relaxation tool; it is a scientifically grounded, versatile modality that improves clinical outcomes and patient compliance. By addressing both the psychological barriers and autonomic physiological responses during treatment, dental practitioners are better equipped to deliver comfortable, compassionate care.
The consensus was clear: integrating hypnodontics into standard dental curricula and continuing professional development will play an essential role in humanising dental care and advancing patient-centred medicine in the years ahead.
Dental sessions
- Hypnosis in Dentistry: management of bruxism and dental anxiety (Dr Nir Uziel, Tel Aviv University, School of Dental Medicine).
- Bridging Research and Clinical Practice: Consensus Report of an International Expert Panel on Dental Hypnosis and Therapeutic Communication (Professor Thomas G. Wolf, University of Bern)
- The Use of Informal and Conversational Hypnosis in Treating Dental Anxiety and Phobias in General Dental Practice (Dr Samantha Crone, Burneston Dental Practice, Guildford).
- The Use of Hypnoanesthesia in Dental Implant Surgery with the Awareness Under Conscious Hypnosis (AUCH) Method in Dentistry (Ekrem Tokatlı, Istanbul).