Does hypnotizability modulate the stress-related endothelial dysfunction?

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2004 by Hammond, D Corydon

Jambrik, Z., Santarcangelo, E. L., Ghelarducci, B., Picano, E., & Sebastiani, L. (2004). Does hypnotizability modulate the stress-related endothelial dysfunction? Brain Research Bulletin, 63(3), 213-216. Some studies have suggested that hypnotizability represents a protective factor against the cardiac effects of cognitive stress and that hypnosis prevents vascular stress-induced modifications in highly hypnotizable individuals.

This study investigated whether a similar effect at the vascular level is present in alert subjects with high and low hypnotic susceptibility. Brachial artery post-ischemic flow-mediated vascular dilation (FMD) was evaluated noninvasively by ultrasound methodology during cognitive stress (mental computation) in high and low hypnotizables. Results showed that highs, similarly to that previously observed in hypnotized high susceptibles and in contrast with lows, did not exhibit any stressrelated endothelial dysfunction (FMD decrement). The authors concluded that hypnotizability should be considered a protective factor against vascular disease. Address for reprints: Z. Jambrik, Echocardiography Lab, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy.