Hypnosis works by guiding you in a structured way to imagine your gut well and healthy. How does that work then? In hypnosis, one of the key techniques used is the ideomotor response. Brain imaging shows that when we think about doing something,  the brain lights up in the same way as when we actually move that part of the body. If you now imagine saying to yourself “Red lorry yellow lorry” you will notice that your tongue is working ever so slightly, not saying the words out loud, but the muscles working nonetheless. That is the ideomotor response. Thinking is doing.

So in hypnosis, you focus your thoughts on your gut. Now, that requires a bit more practice than using your tongue. You don’t have quite as clear a link between your gut and your brain as with your tongue and brain. But with practice, with a skilled hypnotist, this link is made. Then you think about your gut being well, and in 70% of cases (according to Dr Peter Whorwell of Manchester University) your gut gets better. It takes about 12 sessions, and thereafter, you have made the brain-gut link and can keep yourself well.