3. Try Gut-Directed Hypnosis
Gastrointestinal psychologists have found that gut-directed hypnosis is extremely effective at reducing stress and improving IBS symptoms. In this technique, a trained therapist guides a patient into a focused state of awareness and deep relaxation. Through suggestions and imagery, gut-directed hypnosis aims to calm the digestive tract and steer attention away from physical discomfort. Self-directed apps like Nerva also offer such programs.
One research review notes that of the available brain-gut behavioral therapies, gut-directed hypnosis and cognitive behavioral-based interventions have the most evidence for both short-term and long-term success.
“Oftentimes, when people with IBS fail to find relief with other strategies, they tend to have success with gut-directed hypnosis, as long as they’re open to trying it,” says Riehl.
“We can develop the skills to stop the brain from [ruminating] on gastrointestinal-specific worries,” she says. “For example, we can start to retrain the mind when someone is always imagining that they will have a bowel accident in public. It’s how we identify and think about IBS in our day-to-day life that can make symptoms better or worse.”
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