Essentials: Using Hypnosis to Enhance Mental & Physical Health & Performance | Dr. David Spiegel

In this episode of Huberman Lab Essentials, Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. David Spiegel about the science and applications of hypnosis. Dr. Spiegel defines hypnosis as a state of highly focused attention, similar to being engrossed in a movie, and differentiates clinical hypnosis from stage hypnosis, emphasizing its potential for enhancing self-control. They discuss the brain areas active during hypnosis, including the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, DLPFC, insula, and posterior cingulate cortex, and how these relate to focus, mind-body connection, and cognitive flexibility. Dr. Spiegel shares clinical examples of hypnosis being used for stress reduction, sleep improvement, phobia treatment, and trauma processing, highlighting the importance of mental state changes and confronting traumatic experiences. They also touch on hypnotizability, the Spiegel eye roll test, the role of breathing, and the use of hypnosis in children and groups, as well as resources for finding trained hypnotists and the Reverie app for self-hypnosis.