Hypnosis Eases Inflammation in Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes chronic inflammation in the lining of the colon and rectum which leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
A study in the U.K. of 17 patients with ulcerative colitis underwent 50 minute hypnosis sessions that were "gut-focused". The aim was relaxation and the relief of inflammation. Another 8 patients where considered the control. They just listened to music for 50 minutes.
The results were that blood levels of IL-6, which is a marker of inflammation in the body, fell by 53 percent in the hypnosis group, and the music listeners had NO SUBSTANTIAL change!!!
Obviously, there is something special and different about hypnosis.
The source of this study can be found in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, June 2008
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