Glasgow to host hypnosis congress

Aim is to create fresh enthusiasm for hypnosis in the next generation of healthcare professionals

12 February, 2024 / infocus
SD Mag

The ESH board and BSMDH Council at a previous congress.

Glasgow is to be the venue for the 2026 Congress of the European Society of Hypnosis (ESH).

The ESH is a confederation of national societies specialising in the use of hypnosis in the fields of medicine, dentistry, psychology and psychotherapy.

Its mission is to promote the highest professional standard in the practice of hypnosis for clinical and experimental purposes. The commitment is to evaluate and elaborate the newest developments in professional hypnosis and to disseminate such information among members.

Our vision is to deliver a congress that is great value for money, full of high-quality content and that creates a fresh enthusiasm for hypnosis…

Mike Gow

ESH was founded in 1976, when a group of European medical professionals proposed the setting up of a European section of the International Society of Hypnosis (ISH). ESH became independent from ISH in 1990 when the ESH Constitution was ratified.

The congress this year was held in Antalya, Turkey. It featured 12 keynote speeches, 48 lectures, 45 workshops, six panel discussions and six posters, and was attended by delegates from 38 countries. The 2026 congress will be hosted British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis (BSMDH).

“Our vision is to deliver a congress that is great value for money, full of high-quality content and that creates a fresh enthusiasm for hypnosis in the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Mike Gow, treasurer of the BSMDH and principal of The Berkeley Clinic in Glasgow. “All in ‘the friendliest city’ in the ‘most beautiful small country’ in the world!

“Hypnosis was first described by the Scottish surgeon James Braid in 1841. In 2026, we invite you to celebrate the 185th anniversary of the birth of modern hypnosis back in Scotland. Join us in this celebration of history and be part of the future of hypnosis.”

Hypnosis has many potential applications in dentistry including: reducing stress and anxiety (of patient and practitioner!), fear or phobia of the dentist, needles etc, bruxism, TMJ dysfunction, strong gag reflexes, pain control, encouraging compliance with oral hygiene regimes and dietary habits, modification of unwanted habits (eg smoking/vaping, thumb sucking, nail biting etc), oral aphthous ulceration, improved tolerance for orthodontic appliances and dentures, and controlling salivary flow and bleeding.