Sedation during surgery is important but poses risks when it comes to medication dosage and reactions. With outpatient surgeries on the rise, especially in dental offices, hypnosis can be considered as an alternative or addition to anesthesia.
In one study where patients listened to hypnosis recordings or music during a surgery, the group who were hypnotized needed less medication during the surgery to stay sedated, used fewer pain medications during the recovery process, and had less postoperative pain. Customized, individually tailored hypnosis recordings provide the best results, but even a general recording improves the surgical experience and reduces the risks associated with higher doses of anesthesia and pain medications during and after a surgery. In addition to reducing risk, hypnosis can lessen the cost of sedation and provide an alternative for those with allergies or sensitivities to medications that would otherwise make surgery more difficult.
