Vomiting can transform everyday activities into sources of dread. Whether triggered by anxiety, medical treatments, or specific situations, the fear of being sick often becomes more limiting than the physical symptoms themselves.

Hypnotherapy offers a gentle approach to breaking this cycle. By working with your subconscious mind, it can help reduce both the physical urge to vomit and the anticipatory anxiety that often makes symptoms worse.

What if you could attend social gatherings without scanning for the nearest exit? Imagine feeling genuinely excited about travel plans rather than consumed by worry about being sick away from home.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation to help you enter a focused, calm state of mind. In this relaxed state, your subconscious becomes more receptive to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking.

Think of it like having a conversation with the part of your mind that controls automatic responses. Your conscious mind might know rationally that you’re safe, but your subconscious might still be triggering physical symptoms based on past experiences or learned patterns.

During hypnosis, you remain completely aware and in control. You’ll hear everything your therapist says and can open your eyes or speak at any time. It’s simply a deeply relaxed state, similar to that drowsy feeling just before you fall asleep.

Your hypnotherapist will use various techniques, including visualisation, positive suggestions, and sometimes regression work to explore when these patterns first developed. The goal is to help your mind and body respond differently to triggers that previously caused vomiting.

How Effective Is Hypnotherapy for Vomiting?

Vomiting often involves a complex interplay between your nervous system and digestive tract. When your brain perceives a threat—whether real or imagined—it can trigger the vagus nerve, which directly connects to your stomach and controls the vomiting reflex.

Hypnotherapy works by helping to calm this overactive stress response. Research published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis has shown significant improvements in nausea and vomiting symptoms, particularly when related to anxiety or conditioned responses.

Studies focusing on anticipatory nausea found that hypnotherapy reduced symptoms in approximately 60-70% of participants. The technique appears particularly effective because it addresses both the physical sensations and the psychological patterns that maintain them.

Imagine your stomach muscles gradually unclenching, like a tight fist slowly opening. Many clients describe feeling as though a knot in their chest has finally loosened, allowing them to breathe more deeply and feel genuinely settled in their body.

Sarah, a teacher who’d been avoiding school trips due to travel sickness, began to notice subtle changes after her third session. She found herself able to sit in the passenger seat of a car without that familiar churning sensation, and eventually accompanied her class on a day trip to the coast.

The effectiveness varies considerably between individuals. Some people respond quickly to suggestion work, whilst others benefit more from exploring underlying anxieties that may be contributing to their symptoms. Those who also experience persistent nausea often find the techniques complement each other well.

What Happens in a Session for Vomiting?

Your first session typically begins with a detailed conversation about your symptoms. Your therapist will want to understand when the vomiting occurs, what triggers it, and how it impacts your daily life.

They’ll also ask about your medical history and any treatments you’ve tried. This isn’t about replacing medical care, but rather understanding the full picture so hypnotherapy can work alongside your existing support.

During the hypnosis portion, you’ll be guided into a relaxed state using breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation. Your therapist might then use imagery to help you visualise your digestive system functioning smoothly and calmly.

Some sessions focus on desensitisation—gradually exposing you to triggering thoughts or situations whilst you remain deeply relaxed. Others might involve positive suggestions about feeling comfortable in your body and trusting your natural digestive processes.

You’ll usually receive a recording to practice with at home. Many clients find these daily sessions particularly helpful, as they reinforce the positive suggestions and help build new automatic responses over time.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

Many people worry they’ll lose control during hypnosis or be made to do embarrassing things. In reality, you remain completely aware and can reject any suggestion that doesn’t feel right to you.

Another common concern is that hypnotherapy only works on “imaginary” symptoms. However, research consistently shows its effectiveness for various physical conditions, including digestive issues and nausea-related problems.

Some assume you need to be easily hypnotised for it to work. Whilst people do vary in their hypnotic responsiveness, even those who feel they’re not “good” hypnotic subjects often benefit from the relaxation techniques and cognitive approaches used.

It’s worth noting that hypnotherapy works best as part of a broader approach. If your vomiting has underlying medical causes, these need addressing alongside any psychological support.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Vomiting?

Most people begin noticing some improvement within 4-6 sessions, though this varies considerably. Some experience relief quite quickly, whilst others need more time to build new patterns of response.

The frequency of sessions typically starts weekly, then gradually spaces out as you develop greater confidence. Your therapist might suggest fortnightly appointments, then monthly check-ins to consolidate your progress.

Much depends on how long you’ve experienced these symptoms and what’s driving them. Recent onset vomiting related to a specific event often responds more quickly than long-standing patterns that have become deeply ingrained.

If you’re also dealing with fear of vomiting, this might extend the timeline slightly, as both the physical symptoms and the phobic response need addressing.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?

Hypnotherapy tends to work well for people who are motivated to engage with the process and practice techniques between sessions. It’s particularly suited to those whose vomiting has psychological triggers or anxiety-related components.

If your symptoms began or worsened during stressful periods, or if you notice they’re worse in certain situations, hypnotherapy might offer valuable support. It can be especially helpful when conventional treatments haven’t fully addressed the problem.

Consider whether you’re open to exploring the mind-body connection. The approach works by helping you develop new responses to familiar triggers, which requires some willingness to examine patterns of thinking and feeling.

Those who also experience panic attacks alongside their vomiting often find the relaxation skills transfer well between both conditions. The techniques for calming your nervous system can be remarkably versatile.

Explore more about hypnotherapy for Performance & Productivity.

Is Hypnotherapy as Effective Online?

This session can be conducted online from anywhere in the world—research published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare has demonstrated that online hypnotherapy is equally effective as in-person sessions for anxiety, with the added benefits of convenience and accessibility from your own comfortable environment. 

Many clients find that being in their own space actually helps them relax more deeply. 

If after that initial session you feel hypnotherapy isn’t right for you, there’s no obligation to continue. 

Book your introductory session and discover whether this approach resonates with you.