While some people may be skeptical of hypnosis, experts say it’s a legitimate therapy that can help with a range of physical and mental challenges — including, possibly, alcohol use disorder.

Clinical hypnosis has shown to be effective in the treatment of pain, anxiety, stress, cancer treatment side effects, phobias and habit control problems, such as smoking and weight control, according to past randomized controlled trials.

“Hypnosis is the oldest Western form of psychotherapy, but it is underutilized,” Dr. David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and a leading authority in the field of hypnosis, told Fox News Digital.

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What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is not itself considered a therapy. Rather, it enhances other treatments by inducing a state of increased concentration while reducing peripheral awareness, experts say. 

The practice aims to put people in a deep state of relaxation so they can learn more easily.

Shawn Criswell, Ph.D., a mental counselor practicing in Oregon, defines it as “a gentle way of shifting people’s focus to new ideas and perspectives that can help improve their lives.”

Added Criswell, “It does this in part by connecting them with their strengths and resources, empowering them in the process, and directly contradicting the old, tired myth that in hypnosis, you’ll give up control of yourself.” He co-authored, together with Michael Yapko, Ph.D, the latest edition of “Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis.”

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Past research suggests that hypnosis may alter brain activity related to attention and consciousness.

“The brain activation patterns during hypnosis — such as for color, pain and sound — are similar to those observed during actual experiences,” Dr. Ryan Sultan, attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and director of the Mental Health Informatics Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.

“Hypnosis is the oldest Western form of psychotherapy, but it is underutilized,” one expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

Some people may choose to practice self-hypnosis, which he described as the process of entering a trance-like state without the guidance of a hypnotist.

Sultan compared it to entering a “controlled, simplified state” in which people may be more open to certain ideas and therapeutic suggestions.

“I have had patients stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies.”

But the effects can be short-lived, he noted, and some individuals may find it difficult to maintain the hypnotic state without external cues.

The treatment technique has been approved by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association. To maximize its safety and effectiveness, Sultan recommended hypnosis by a qualified professional.

Can hypnosis cure alcohol dependence?

Hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by encouraging motivation, reducing cravings and helping to manage stress, according to Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City.

The expert emphasized, however, that hypnosis is not a standalone cure for problem drinking. Instead, it’s part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychiatric support and targeted medications when necessary.

Hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by encouraging motivation, reducing cravings and helping to manage stress, a psychiatrist said. (iStock)

“There is less evidence about alcohol problems, but I have had patients stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies,” Spiegel noted.

“One of my patients thought about that concept in hypnosis, and said, ‘You mean, the body is the temple of the soul?’” he added.

Risks and regulations

Hypnotherapy presents little risk, according to Spiegel.

“The worst thing that can happen is that it may not always work,” he told Fox News Digital.

“It is best to seek care from a psychiatrist or psychologist with specialized training in clinical hypnosis.”

Possible mild side effects include dizziness and emotional release. There is also a risk of false memories if used for memory recall, Sultan cautioned.

The therapy is also not recommended for people with severe mental illness, such as psychosis, experts say.

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Mayo Clinic also notes that side effects are uncommon, but that some people may experience anxiety, sleepiness, headache and nausea.

“It is best to seek care from a psychiatrist or psychologist with specialized training in clinical hypnosis,” Bazzi told Fox News Digital.

Approximately 28 million Americans aged 18 and older are living with an alcohol-use disorder, according to 2023 estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (iStock)

“These professionals can objectively assess your susceptibility to hypnosis, determine whether it is an appropriate and potentially effective intervention for your specific concerns, and develop a comprehensive, multimodal treatment plan tailored to your needs,” she added.

For those seeking a hypnotist, experts recommend visiting the websites of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or The International Society of Hypnosis, both of which offer directories of professionals who have expertise and often certification in the practice.

Warning signs of alcohol use disorder

Some 28 million Americans aged 18 and older are living with alcohol-use disorder, according to 2023 estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

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People may be drinking excessively if they consume enough alcohol in one sitting to raise their blood alcohol level to greater than 0.08, or if they drink more than a certain number of drinks in one week, experts say.

Those who believe they may have an alcohol-dependence problem and are interested in seeking alternative therapies should contact their doctor for recommendations. (iStock)

This generally equates to women having four or more drinks or men consuming five or more drinks at once — or a weekly amount of eight or more drinks for women or 15 or more drinks for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Signs of an alcohol problem include experiencing a loss of control when drinking, continuing to drink despite adverse consequences, and experiencing compulsive cravings when not drinking – often referred to as the “three Cs.”

Those who think they may have an alcohol-dependence problem and are interested in seeking alternative therapies should contact their doctor for recommendations.

The current number of measles cases in the U.S. is at its highest level in more than 30 years, according to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The CDC said 1,288 confirmed cases have been recorded as of Tuesday throughout 38 states. Texas leads the nation with more than 700 cases. 

Last year, the CDC reported only 285 measles cases. In 2019, there were 1,274 recorded, but this year’s total so far is the most since 1992, when there were 2,126 cases. 

“There have been 27 outbreaks reported in 2025, and 88% of confirmed cases (1,130 of 1,288) are outbreak-associated,” according to the CDC. “For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.” 

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Measles cases this year have led to three deaths across the U.S. — and 92% of those who have contracted the virus are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. 

Of this year’s cases, 13% have required hospitalization. Those under the age of five are the most likely to require additional medical care, the CDC said. 

“The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe and effective. When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage >95%), most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity),” it added. “However, vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023–2024 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergartners at risk during the 2023–2024 school year.” 

The states with cases are Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. 

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River Jacobs, who is 1-year-old, is being held by his mother, Caitlin Fuller, while he receives an MMR vaccine from Raynard Covarrubio at a vaccine clinic put on by Lubbock Public Health Department on March 1, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)

The CDC also said “Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning there is no measles spreading within the country and new cases are only found when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country.” 

Health officials said measles symptoms begin to appear 7 to 14 days after contracting the virus and include a high fever, coughing and rashes. 

“Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age,” the CDC said. “Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.” 

A measles alert sign hangs outside the entrance to the Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, on March 14, 2025.  (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

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“Measles is very contagious,” the CDC warns. “It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to 2 hours after that person has left.” 

Lighting a campfire and watching as the flames grow and flicker can feel therapeutic — for good reason.

Between the light, heat and crackling sound, sitting around a campfire can be a relaxing experience — and experts agree that it can even benefit your mental health.

Research published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology has noted “significant reductions” in blood pressure associated with exposure to a crackling fire.

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Campfires or firepits can also improve social interactions, researchers noted.

M. David Rudd, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the Rudd Institute for Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention at the University of Memphis, agreed that the natural setting of campfires is “likely effective” for soothing the mind and engaging with others.

People sitting around a fire are “digitally disconnected” and isolated from technology distractions and the demands of daily life, the expert noted.

“The context is disarming and socially engaged by its very nature, generating implicit expectations of engagement and interaction,” Rudd told Fox News Digital in an interview.

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“We all have memories of being around a campfire and hearing stories — or at least we’ve heard stories about what it means to be around a campfire.”

These expectations foster a “supportive, non-threatening environment where people don’t feel judged or pressured to engage,” Rudd said.

A psychologist described campfires as a “supportive, non-threatening environment where people don’t feel judged or pressured to engage.” (iStock)

Campfires may encourage those who are “hesitant, anxious or unwilling to engage elsewhere” to connect with others and share personal experiences, he added.

Jessica Cail, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in California, pointed out the association of fire with relaxation, comparing fires to a “social hub where people come together for warmth, light, food and protection.”

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Many holiday celebrations tend to involve fire, and some homes have fireplaces geared toward gathering and connecting, Cail noted in a separate interview with Fox News Digital. 

“Being in nature involves more of a soft focus … giving our brains a chance to rest and restore.”

“Given these positive associations, it should not be a surprise that these feelings of relaxation and safety can help facilitate social communication and counteract negative feelings, whether they’re explicitly shared or not,” she added.

Fire is also associated with ritual and transition, such as the use of advent candles or the therapeutic practice of writing regretful or traumatic thoughts down on paper, throwing them into a fire and watching them burn, Cail noted.

Fires are “evolutionarily associated” as a social hub, and can reduce stress, anxiety and blood pressure, research has shown. (iStock)

Nature is restorative, helping to counteract modern life’s numerous demands and the need to stay hyper-focused on specific tasks, the expert added.

“This is fatiguing for our brains,” Cail said. 

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“Being in nature involves more of a soft focus (the sight of trees, the smell of grass, the sound of birds), giving our brains a chance to rest and restore.”

“This break from ruminating on stress may be why so many researchers have found ‘doses of nature’ to be effective in reducing both depression and anxiety.”

Detaching from daily demands and technology, and immersing yourself in nature, can help support mental health, experts say. (iStock)

Campfires are often associated with leisure in nature, which is an important component of mental health, especially for those with mental illnesses, according to Cail.

The expert emphasized that changing your environment can also “change your mind.”

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“Unless your trauma took place in nature or around a fire, a change in environment like camping can break you out of that associative headspace, giving you a fresh outlook,” she added.