The Hotflash inc podcast 200: REPLAY The surprising science behind hypnosis and menopause relief with Dr Gary Elkins
This podcast originally ran on December 12th, 2025
In this episode, Ann Marie speaks with Dr Gary Elkins, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory, in Waco, Texas. Dr. Elkins is the leading researcher in the field of clinical hypnosis for menopause, with more than 25 years of experience and more 100 peer-reviewed publications.
He joins Hotflash inc to explore the groundbreaking science behind hypnosis for hot flashes, its surprising effectiveness (up to 70% reduction!), how it works in the brain, why it matters for breast cancer survivors, and how hypnosis may also support sleep, stress, and other midlife symptoms. They also discuss Evia, the self-hypnosis app built on Dr. Elkins’ research, and the critical importance of hjaving non-pharmaceutical options for symptom relief.
Highlights
- How hypnosis became part of NAMS (now The Menopause Society) guidelines
- Research showing hypnosis reduces hot flashes by 70%
- What hypnosis is and what it definitely isn’t
- What happens in the brain during hypnosis
- The “triple fallacy” and misunderstanding physical symptoms
- Comparing hypnosis to hormone therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- How hypnosis helps improve sleep and calm anxiety
- Why hot flashes are a physiological issue, not a psychological one
- What to expect: when and how hypnosis starts to work
- The power of daily practice and support from others
- Addressing misconceptions about hypnotizability and intelligence
- What the research says about empathy, creativity and hypnosis
- The mind-body connection and the experiential system
- How hypnosis taps into the subconscious (without the woo)
- Dr. Elkins on consulting for the Evia app and why it matters
- Future research: hypnosis for sleep and psychedelic states without drugs
Guest Info – Dr. Gary Elkins
- Website: www.garyelkins.org
- Book: Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: What You Need to Know
- Handbook: Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis
•• Evia App: https://www.eviamenopause.com
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