A curious article was published in a journal for eye doctors ... it described 4 individual who regularly practiced self-hypnosis for relaxation, who also developed blue-tinted vision and spontaneous erections in the absence of sexual thoughts or stimulation. Very curious. Although the researchers did not make the connection in their study, airplane pilots are not allowed to take Viagra because the side effects of that drug include blue tinted vision (and erections).

Apparently, the relaxation effect associated with self-hypnosis can (in some people) turn up the body's production of nitric oxide and other chemicals associated with an increase in the blood flow to the eyes' and penis. I believe that nitric oxide production probably increases in most people who engage in deep relaxation practices, but usually not so much as to cause the change in vision or arousal.

Is self-hypnosis a replacement for viagra and other drugs for erectile dysfunction syndrome? The self-hypnosis method is not nearly as reliable, and it probably takes a lot of practice. But exercise and meditation or self-hypnosis are generally considered good for vascular health. I have used a variety of tapes for self hypnosis, and can say that with regular use, they have turned down my stress and made me feel more balanced. I particularly like the Holosync programs, which had an immediate ability to take me into various altered and very relaxed states.

Meditation and other deep relaxation practices have been shown to increase levels of DHEA. (PMID:1404349, PMID:14749092).

---

1: BMC Ophthalmol. 2005 Dec 1;5:28.

Hypnosis-associated blue-tinted vision: a case report.
Anbar RD, Savedoff AD.

Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA. anbarr@upstate.edu

BACKGROUND: Self-hypnosis has been taught routinely at the SUNY Upstate Medical University for treatment of pulmonary symptoms thought to be amenable to psychological therapy. While using hypnosis for relaxation, four individuals, including a patient with cystic fibrosis, reported development of blue-tinted vision. Based on a search of the literature, we believe this is the first published report of hypnosis-associated blue-tinted vision. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient reported blue-tinted vision when he used hypnosis on an almost daily basis for seven years. The visual change typically occurred when he was relaxed. Moreover, a concurrent erection in the absence of sexual thoughts usually was present. The other three individuals reported blue-tinted vision after learning how to use hypnosis for relaxation as part of a group hypnosis instruction. CONCLUSION: The blue-tinted vision experienced by the individuals in this report may be the result of an hypnosis-induced primary change in cognitive processing. Additionally, as the relaxing effect of hypnosis can be associated with a reduction in blood pressure and increased blood flow, hypnosis-associated blue-tinted vision also may be related to retinal vasodilation.

PMID: 16321153 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]