Hypnosis for Substance Abuse

Abstract

Hypnosis as a therapy is unique and has an interesting history dating back to ancient Egypt. It has transformed over the years and yet has an intrigue about it that makes il poorly understood. This is because of lack of knowledge about its neurophysiological basis, patchy evidence base, lack of scientific basis, cultural correlates, and a complementary medicine image. However it is no different from other such things like Placebo, Fibromyalgia, depression whose neurobiology is only partially understood. Several groups have slaked a claim as its practitioners ranging from "Healers" to early scientists like Mesmer and Freud and more recently psychologists, behavioral therapists, physicians, and researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)(chapter)