Gary R. Elkins, Ph.D., ABPP

Education

Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1980

B.A., Henderson State University, 1975

Biography

Dr. Elkins is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he is the Director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory, funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, National Institute on Aging, and the National Endowment for the Arts. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis and Past-President of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Dr. Elkins’ publications include Mindful Hypnotherapy: The Basics for Clinical Practice and The Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis: Foundations, Applications, and Professional Issues.  He is board-certified (ABPP, American Board of Professional Psychology) in Clinical Health Psychology. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and Past-President of Division 30 of the APA. Dr. Elkins was named to the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List, recognizing him as one of the most cited scientists in the world in 2025.

Academic Interests and Research

Dr. Elkins’ research investigates the efficacy of hypnosis and mind-body interventions for sleep disturbances, menopause, breast cancer symptoms, pain, and stress management. He is further interested in the physiological and cognitive mechanisms that underlie the effects of mind-body interventions such as heart rate variability, cortisol (HPA axis), cognitive expectancies, and placebo effects. Additionally, Dr. Elkins’ research examines moderators (hypnotic abilities, motivation) of mind-body interventions. He is investigating hypnosis interventions for sleep and hot flashes among post-menopausal women and breast cancer survivors, sleep disturbances in caregivers of individuals with dementia, mindful hypnotherapy for anxiety, and the integration of music and suggestion for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP).

For additional information about Dr. Elkins' research, please visit the website for the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at: https://mindbodymedicine.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/

Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications

Greene, T., Rhodes, J., Renner-Wilms, S., Tedeschi, R., Moore, B., & Elkins, G. (2025). Vicarious posttraumatic growth in peer-support specialists: An interpretive phenomenological analysis, Behavioral Sciences, 15(2), 1673. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15121673.

Alldredge, C. T., Vagner, M., Corlett, C., & Elkins, G. R. (2025). Clinical Utility of Mystical Experiences: An Overview and Conceptual Framework. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 73(4), 432–448. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2025.2526351

Biggs, M., Elkins, G., Scheffrahn, K., & Muniz, V. (2025). Psychological distress profile for evaluating distress among cancer patients. Psychological Reports, 4, p.332941251330560

Elkins, G. (2025). Intersections of Psychedelics, Mystical Experiences, and Hypnosis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 73(4), 391–397.

Elkins, G., Arring, N., Morgan, G., Lorenz, T., Muniz, V., Lafferty, C., Scheffrahn, K., Alldredge, C., & Barton, D. (2025). Self-Administered Hypnosis vs Sham Hypnosis for Hot Flashes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 8, e2542537. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.42537

Scheffrahn, K., Alldredge, C. T., Snyder, M., & Elkins, G. R. (2025). Hypnosis Apps: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis,73(1), 79–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2024.2434085

Zimmerman, K., Ekanayake, V., Alldredge, C. T., Snyder, M., & Elkins, G. R. (2025). A General Factor of Hypnotizability Revealed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 73(1), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2024.2393856

Muñiz, V., Padilla, V. J. J., Alldredge, C. T., & Elkins, G. (2025). Clinical Hypnosis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hot Flashes: A Scoping Review. Women’s Health Reports, 6(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1089/whr.2024.0144

Ekanayake, V., & Elkins, G. R. (2025). Systematic Review on Hypnotherapy and Smoking Cessation. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 73(1), 4–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2024.2434082

Kekecs, Z., Csikos, E., Minh, N. D. Q., Farahzadi, Y., Simor, P., Nyiri, B., Rizzo, P., Olson, J. A., & Elkins, G. (2025). Can Any Procedure Be Hypnosis? Exploring the Effect of Framing on Hypnotic Depth and Electrophysiological Correlates of Hypnosis in a Balanced Placebo Design. Psychophysiology, 62 (11), p.e70183-n/a 62, e70183. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.70183

Padilla, V. J. J., Scheffrahn, K., Muñiz, V., Lorenz, T. K., & Elkins, G. (2025). Heart Rate Variability, Hypnosis, and Psychotherapy. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 50, 289–295 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-024-09679-6

Elkins, G. R., Snyder, M., Muniz, V., Biggs, M. L., Rhodes, J., &Sanford, K. & McAllister,       L. (2025). Feasibility of music listening intervention for chronic pain in aging adults. Music    and Medicine, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v17i2.955

Scheffrahn, K., Hall, C., Muñiz, V., & Elkins, G. (2025). User outcomes for an app-delivered hypnosis intervention for menopausal hot flashes: Retrospective analysis. JMIR Formative Research, 9, 289–295 p.e63948

Corlett, C., Alldredge, C., & Elkins, G. (2025). Feasibility of a hypnosis intervention for a mystical experience. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 73(4), 414-431. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2025.2491352

Books Published

Barnett, J., Shale, A., Elkins, G.R., and Fisher, W.F. (2014) The Psychologist’s Essential Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine. American Psychological Association Press.

Elkins, G.R. (2016) Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis: Foundations, Applications, and Professional Issues.  Springer Publishing Inc.

Elkins, G. R. (2019) Mindful Hypnotherapy: The Basis for Clinical Practice. Springer Publishing Inc.

Elkins, G. R. (2022). Introduction to clinical hypnosis: The basics and beyond. Mountain Pine Publishing.

Elkins, G. R., & Alldredge, C. T. (2024). Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: What You Need to Know. Mountain Pine Publishing.

Research Grants – Current

Templeton World Charity Foundation                    Elkins (PI)             2025–2027
Mystical Experiences Without Psychedelics: The Nature of Peak Spiritual Experiences and How Integration Leads to Human Flourishing
This study examines the nature of mystical experiences without psychedelics, how integration of peak spiritual experiences promotes human flourishing, and related psychological mechanisms. Participants will be recruited locally, with assessments of spiritual experiences, well-being, and ethics. 

Role: Principal Investigator
Templeton World Charity Foundation
Project Period: 2025–2027
Total Funding: $499,995.

Completed Research Grant Support (Selected)

NIH 5R01AT009384                    Elkins (PI)             9/01/2018 – 8/31/2022
Self-Administered Hypnosis Treatment for the Management of Hot Flashes in Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial
This study is a large-scale multi-site clinical trial of a telehealth hypnosis intervention for the treatment of hot flashes and sleep disturbances in post-menopausal women and breast cancer survivors. Collaborating sites include the University of Michigan and the University of Nebraska. Participants complete daily diaries of hot flashes and outcomes measures of sleep and anxiety. Data collection comprises ambulatory heart rate variability (HRV) and saliva cortisol regarding potential mechanisms. Hypnotic abilities are investigated as potential moderators.
Role: Principle Investigator
National Institute of Health/National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Project Period: September 22, 2017 - August 31, 2022
Total Funding: $3,521,941.00

NEA 1863320-38-20                          Elkins (PI)             8/1/2020 – 7/31/2022
Effect of Music and Suggestion for Chronic Pain in Aging Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study
The purpose of this research is to support a randomized controlled study examining the effect of music on pain management in older adults.
Role: Principal Investigator
Total Funding: $97,000.00 plus matching funds from Baylor University (with potential for renewal for up to 10 years)

NIH 3R01AT009384-04S1                      Elkins (PI)             9/01/2020 – 8/31/2021
Feasibility of Self-Administered Hypnosis for Sleep Quality in Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
The purpose of this research is to support a pilot study to determine the feasibility of a self-administered hypnosis intervention with caregivers of individuals with ADRD as an efficacious and practical intervention to improve sleep quality and duration.
Role: Principal Investigator
Total Funding: $299,000.00

R34-AT008246     Elkins (PI) 6/1/2014-5/31/2017
Hypnosis to Improve Sleep in Menopause: Determination of Optimal Dose and Method
The research aims to determine the optimal number of sessions and method of delivery of hypnotic relaxation therapy to improve sleep. This project uses daily sleep diaries, wrist actigraphy, bothersomeness numerical rating scale, and stress response measures, and examines moderators and mediators of the primary outcome.  The analyses of original data collection to inform future interventions.
Role: Principal Investigator

R01-AT004634     Elkins (PI) 9/30/2007-5/31/2015
Hypnosis for Hot Flashes: A Randomized Clinical Trial
The purpose of the research is to determine the efficacy of hypnotic relaxation therapy versus structured attention in the reduction of vasomotor symptoms and improving sleep and quality of life among post-menopausal women.  The outcomes included self-report diaries and ambulatory skin conductance recording of vasomotor events.  Psychological factors and cortisol were examined as potential mediators.
Role: Principal Investigator

Current Post-docs and Research Scientists

Cameron Allredge, Ph.D.

Current Graduate Students (Ph.D., General Experimental and Social Psychology)

Chris Corlett, Michigan State University, University of Colorado - Boulder
Victor Padilla, Brown University
Vanessa Muniz, Baylor University
Katherine Scheffrahn, Baylor University
Sharika Majeti, University of Illinois, Tulane University

Current Graduate Students (Psy.D., Clinical Psychology)

Vindhya Ekanayake, The George Washington University, Purdue University
Skyla Renner, Emory and Henry College
Michael Vinson, Princeton University 
Alexander Hood, University of Texas, Austin
Fodie Koita, Drew University
Kaitlin Seidenberg, James Madison University
Elisabeth Harris, Christopher Newport University, Catholic University of America

Graduate Student Recruitment

Dr. Elkins is currently accepting applications for Ph.D. and Psy.D. students.

Courses taught at Baylor

• PSY 5334 - Health Psychology
• PSY 5429 - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• PSY 5317 - Advanced Seminar in Psychotherapy