Brief hypnosis substitutes for alprazolam use in college students: Transient experiences and quantitative EEG responses

We sought to determine: 1) whether a simple hypnotic induction with an alpr azolam experience derived suggestion could recreate the subjective effects of alprazolam (Xanax), 2) whether the effects of alprazolam are greater tha n the effects of hypnosis plus this suggestion, and 3) whether the effects of hypnosis plus this suggestion were greater than the relaxation effects p roduced by hypnosis alone. High and low hypnotizable student volunteer subj ects (Ss) ingested 1 mg of alprazolam. A hypnotic suggestion was developed on the basis of their reported reactions to alprazolam. Four days later the same Ss were exposed to hypnosis only and hypnosis plus the alprazolam exp erience based suggestion conditions in counterbalanced order. Ss exposed to the hypnosis plus suggestion condition demonstrated greater levels of rela xation as measured by the tension-anxiety scale of the Profile of Mood Stat es (POMS) (Eichman & Umstead, 1971) than in the alprazolam condition or the hypnosis only condition. High hypnotizables showed significantly greater l evels of relaxation than the low hypnotizables in each of the three conditi ons (hypnosis plus suggestion, hypnosis only, alprazolam only). EEG data sh owed frontal and occipital sites were specifically involved in both the alp razolam and the hypnotic suggestion conditions. The findings indicate a bas is for the use of hypnosis as a substitute for sedative drug use. Limitatio ns and implications for clinicians are discussed.