Can You Really Have Surgery Without Anesthesia? The Surprising Truth About Medical Hypnosis
Imagine lying on an operating table, fully awake, chatting with your surgeon or even singing—while they remove a tumor, fix a hernia, or pull a tooth. No needles, no gas mask, no groggy wake-up in recovery. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s not. It’s called hypnosurgery or hypnoanesthesia, and it’s been quietly revolutionizing pain management for nearly 200 years.
In this post, we’ll explore the fascinating history, real-life success stories from around the world (including Spain and Latin America), the solid science behind it, and why—despite all the evidence—this powerful tool isn’t used in every hospital yet.
The Pioneer Who Shocked the Medical World: Dr. James Esdaile
Let’s travel back to 1840s colonial India. Scottish surgeon Dr. James Esdaile was working in a remote hospital near Kolkata where painkillers were almost nonexistent and surgical death rates were horrifying—often over 50% from shock and infection alone.
Esdaile began experimenting with “mesmerism” (an early form of hypnosis). The results were staggering:
- He performed over 300 major surgeries—including amputations, tumor removals, and even massive scrotal tumors weighing up to 100 pounds—using only hypnosis for pain control.
- His mortality rate dropped to around 5%.
- Patients remained calm, felt little or no pain, and healed faster with less inflammation.
Esdaile documented everything in his 1846 book Mesmerism in India. When chemical anesthesia (ether and chloroform) arrived shortly after, hypnosis was largely forgotten… but not for long.
Modern-Day Miracles: Real Patients, Real Surgeries Around the World
Fast-forward to today. While hypnosis is rarely the only anesthetic for open-heart surgery, it is routinely used as the sole or primary method in thousands of procedures worldwide—especially in Belgium, France, Switzerland, and parts of Canada. Adoption is also growing in Spain and Latin America.
Pioneering European Centers
Belgium’s Liège University Hospital has been at the forefront since 1992. The numbers are remarkable: over 9,000 patients have undergone surgery using hypnosedation (hypnosis combined with light sedation and local anesthesia). Professor Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville, head of the Pain Clinic, has personally guided more than 6,000 patients through procedures ranging from thyroidectomies to complex surgeries—with a conversion rate to general anesthesia of only 1-2%.
The benefits go beyond just avoiding anesthesia side effects. Patients experience:
- Less postoperative pain
- Reduced need for painkillers
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster return to normal activities
- Lower medical costs
Remarkable Documented Cases
2011 – Alex Lenkei (UK): A highly hypnotizable retired hypnotherapist had hand surgery for severe arthritis completely awake under self-hypnosis. He heard the saw cutting bone and felt pressure, but no pain, and walked out the same day.
2018 – Institut Curie, Paris: Researchers presented results from 150 cancer surgeries performed between 2011 and 2017 using hypnosedation. The success rate? 99%. Only two patients experienced discomfort requiring conversion to general anesthesia—accomplished in under three minutes. Most surgeries were mastectomies and breast cancer procedures lasting about 60 minutes.
2019 – Dental surgery (Mexico): A young woman underwent extraction of all four wisdom teeth using only hypnosis as anesthesia—no local injections or sedation. The procedure was painless, and recovery was swift. This case is notable as one of the few where a nursing professional performed the hypnotic induction as the sole anesthetic.
2021 – Multiple dental surgeries (Italy): Patients underwent wisdom tooth extractions and implants without any local anesthetic or sedation—just hypnosis. All reported zero pain.
2023 – Pediatric surgery (France): A randomized controlled trial found that children undergoing minor superficial procedures did just as well—or better—with hypnosis alone compared to general anesthesia. Parents and children reported higher satisfaction.
2025 – Pediatric orthopedic surgery (Spain): A clinical trial published in Anales de Pediatría showed that children who received two sessions of clinical hypnosis after orthopedic surgery experienced significantly less postoperative pain and anxiety compared to the control group. Hypnosis increased parasympathetic tone and proved to be a safe, effective non-pharmacological tool.
How Does Hypnosis Actually Block Pain?
Hypnosis isn’t “mind control” or sleep—it’s a natural state of focused attention and deep relaxation. Your brain becomes highly responsive to positive suggestions like:
“Your arm feels cool and numb, like it’s dipped in ice water…”
“The area being operated on is completely detached from the rest of your body…”
The Neuroscience Behind It
Brain imaging studies reveal that hypnosis works by modulating the same neural pathways as powerful analgesic drugs, but without the side effects. fMRI scans show:
- Reduced activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain’s “ouch” center)
- Enhanced natural endorphin release
- Heightened receptivity to suggestions
- Altered perception of pain intensity and unpleasantness
About 10–15% of people are “highly hypnotizable” and can achieve full surgical-level anesthesia. Another 60–70% get excellent relief when hypnosis is combined with light sedation or local anesthetic.
What the Science Says: Evidence from Gold-Standard Studies
The research backing medical hypnosis is extensive and rigorous. Here are some key findings:
| Study / Year / Location | Key Finding |
|---|---|
| Montgomery et al. (2002) – International meta-analysis | Surgical patients with hypnosis did better than 89% of controls with large effect sizes for pain (D=1.69) and distress (D=1.07) |
| Tefikow et al. (2013) – Review of 34 RCTs | Large reductions in pain, anxiety, and medication needs across surgical contexts |
| Liège University Hospital (1994-1997) – Belgium | 218 thyroid/parathyroid surgeries: 1% conversion rate, significantly less pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery |
| HYPNOSEIN Trial (2018) – France | Pre-operative hypnosis for breast cancer surgery significantly reduced postoperative pain and opioid use |
| Pediatric RCT (2023) – France | Hypnosis alone matched general anesthesia for minor children’s surgeries with higher satisfaction |
| Tomé-Pires et al. (2025) – Spain | Clinical hypnosis significantly reduced postoperative pain and anxiety in children after orthopedic surgery |
| Dissemination review (2015) | Meta-analyses show consistent effect sizes of 0.44-1.69 for pain reduction across diverse surgical populations |
The evidence is about as strong as it gets in medical research—multiple randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and decades of clinical experience spanning thousands of patients.
Hypnosis vs. Traditional Anesthesia: Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Hypnosis (alone or combined) | Chemical Anesthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Pain control | Excellent (especially in good candidates) | Excellent & universal |
| Side effects | Virtually none | Nausea, confusion, sore throat, rare serious risks |
| Recovery | Faster, clearer-headed, walk out same day | Slower, groggy, extended monitoring |
| Opioid use | Often 50–100% less | Higher |
| Cost | Lower (fewer drugs, shorter stays) | Higher |
| Patient experience | Awake, in control, often described as “pleasant” | Unconscious, no memory of procedure |
| Best for | Minor–moderate procedures, anxious patients, opioid avoidance, motivated individuals | Major, complex, or emergency surgeries |
The Growing Global Movement
Europe Leads the Way
Belgium, France, and Switzerland have integrated hypnosis into mainstream surgical practice for decades. In these countries, specialized hypnoanesthesia training is available for anesthesiologists, and many hospitals offer it as a routine option for suitable procedures.
Expansion in Spain and Latin America
While adoption has been slower, clinical hypnosis is gaining ground in Spanish-speaking countries:
- Spain: Major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia now have pain clinics and psychology departments offering clinical hypnosis. Recent pediatric studies demonstrate growing research interest, though integration into public hospital surgical protocols remains limited compared to Belgium or France.
- Latin America: A 2018 systematic review found applications across the region for pain management, surgical preparation, smoking cessation, and pediatric care. However, the review noted that most studies had methodological limitations, highlighting the need for more rigorous research with Latin American populations.
- Mexico: Clinical cases of hypnosis-only dental surgery demonstrate growing expertise, with nursing professionals even performing hypnotic inductions.
- Market Growth: The global hypnotherapy market is expanding rapidly in Latin America, driven by increasing awareness of mind-body wellness and demand for non-pharmacological approaches.
Why Isn’t Every Hospital Doing This?
Great question. Despite the compelling evidence, several barriers exist:
1. Lack of Training
Most anesthesiologists and surgeons never learned hypnosis in medical school. Specialized training takes time and isn’t widely available outside of pioneering centers.
2. Time Requirements
Hypnotic induction typically takes 10–20 minutes, and some patients benefit from 2-3 preparatory sessions. In fast-paced surgical environments, this can seem inefficient.
3. Misconceptions and Stigma
Despite scientific validation, hypnosis still carries cultural baggage—associations with stage entertainment, “mind control,” or pseudoscience. Many medical professionals remain skeptical.
4. Reimbursement Issues
Healthcare systems and insurance companies often don’t provide specific reimbursement codes or adequate compensation for hypnosis sessions.
5. Patient Variability
Not everyone is highly hypnotizable, and some patients prefer the certainty of unconsciousness over the uncertainty of staying awake.
Recent Survey Data
A 2024 German survey found that only 8% of anesthesia departments use hypnosis or relaxation techniques perioperatively, despite 47% interest among staff. The main barriers cited were lack of training opportunities and time constraints—challenges likely shared across many healthcare systems.
But change is coming! With the opioid crisis, increasing patient demand for natural alternatives, and mounting research evidence (including new studies from Spain), more hospitals worldwide are investing in medical hypnosis training every year.
Who Is Hypnosis Right For?
Hypnosis works best when:
✓ The procedure is minor to moderate in complexity
✓ The patient is motivated and curious about hypnosis
✓ There’s adequate time for preparation
✓ The patient has no severe psychiatric conditions
✓ The surgical team is trained and supportive
✓ Opioid avoidance is a priority (history of addiction, side effects)
It may not be ideal for:
✗ Complex emergency surgeries requiring rapid anesthesia
✗ Patients with severe claustrophobia, acrophobia, or psychosis
✗ Those who strongly prefer unconsciousness
✗ Situations where the patient is deaf or cannot communicate
Final Thoughts: The Future Is Already Here
Hypnosis won’t replace your anesthesiologist for a triple bypass anytime soon, but for dental work, biopsies, pediatric procedures, cancer surgeries, and many others? It’s often better than drugs alone—especially when you want fewer side effects, faster recovery, and a more empowering patient experience.
The evidence from Europe to Spanish-speaking countries shows that medical hypnosis is safe, effective, cost-efficient, and increasingly accessible. As training programs expand and cultural attitudes shift, we may see hypnoanesthesia become a standard option offered alongside traditional anesthesia.
If you’re in Spain or a Spanish-speaking country and facing a procedure, ask your doctor about hipnosis clínica or hipnoanestesia. You might be surprised what’s already available.
Have you or someone you know used hypnosis for a medical procedure? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear about it!
Sources & Further Reading
- Esdaile, J. (1846). Mesmerism in India. Wellcome Collection
- Wikipedia: James Esdaile
- Montgomery et al. (2002). The effectiveness of adjunctive hypnosis with surgical patients: A meta-analysis. Anesthesia & Analgesia
- Tefikow et al. (2013). Efficacy of hypnosis in adults undergoing surgery or medical procedures: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review
- Sánchez-Jáuregui et al. (2019). Hipnosis anestésica inducida por profesional de Enfermería. Enfermería Universitaria (Mexico)
- Del Río et al. (2025). Eficacia analgésica de la hipnosis clínica en pacientes pediátricos. Anales de Pediatría (Spain)
- Amraoui et al. (2023). Hypnosis in pediatric surgery. British Journal of Anaesthesia
- Marcou et al. (2018). Hypnosedation for cancer surgery. Institut Curie, Paris
- Faymonville, M.E. et al. (1999). Hypnoanesthesia for endocrine cervical surgery. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Defechereux et al. (1999). University Hospital of Liège case series
- Rousseaux et al. (2024). Virtual reality and hypnosis for pain management. University of Liège
- Bügers et al. (2024). Hypnosis support in German anesthesia departments. BMC Anesthesiology
- Zaccarini et al. (2023). Anesthesiology teams’ knowledge about hypnosis. BMC Anesthesiology
- Alex Lenkei case study (CBS News, 2008)
- Liège University Hospital: Over 9,000 patients with hypnosis
- Professor Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville profile
Leave a Reply