Reprocessing traumatic memories: EMDR, hypnosis and ketamine compared
September 29, 2026 · 20 min read
Huberman's fear and dreams episodes, David Spiegel's clinical hypnosis and the ketamine deep dive describe different tools for separating emotion from traumatic memory, each with its own evidence and limits. It helps trauma survivors understand the options beyond talk therapy.
The rules, numbers and steps worth keeping in front of you.
- Shared goal: keep the memory, remove the emotional load.
- Huberman's two steps, in order: extinction through detailed retelling, then a new rewarding narrative.
- EMDR: side-to-side eye movements for 30 to 60 seconds, then recounting; use a certified practitioner.
- EMDR works best for single-event traumas, per Huberman's colleagues.
- Huberman: EMDR often lacks the relearning step; ask how it will be handled.
- David Spiegel: studies removing the eye movements find they add nothing.
- Spiegel: hypnosis restores control; keep the body calm while viewing the memory on a screen.
- About a third of adults are not hypnotizable; about 15% are extremely so.
- Ketamine seems most helpful when trauma comes with depression.
- Ketamine relief fades in about three days to a week unless sessions are stacked.
- Ketamine risks: addiction, deadly with alcohol or barbiturates, seizures, liver stress.
- REM sleep processes emotion without adrenaline; protect it.
- Trusted social connection lowers a fear-reinforcing chemical after trauma.
- No miracle cure exists; choose with a qualified mental health professional.
This is the short form. The full insight has every expert's reasoning, their own words and the sources.