The Journal of Sex Research Vol. 10, No 4, pp.

316-326

November, 1974

Stimulation
By

of Breast Hypnosis

Growth

JAMES Ee WILLIAMS Abstract

A frequent compaint arnong women is the failure of the breasts to develop to a fashionably desirable size. An experiment was designed to determine whether hypnotic suggestion could influence the physiological mechanisms associated with breast growth. The first phase compared hypnosis with and without suggestions for breast growth in six subjects. The second phase examined the effectiveness of hypnotic suggestions of breast growth in thirteen subjects acting as their own controls. Analysisof the data indicated that hypnosis per se had no direct effect on breast growth, but that hypnosis with suggestionsfor breastgrowth was effective in stimulating breast growth. Furtherinvestigationmay show this to be a satisfactoryalternatemethod to surgicalbreastaugmentation.

The bosom is a major sex symbol in our culture. Because of this, many women are concerned with the appearance of their breasts. Some who feel their breasts are too small, sag an unusual amount, or otherwise deviate measurably from the ideal image, often feel deformed or suffer anxiety arld self-consciousness. Since the female breast currently holds a place of prominence as an index of female sexuality in our culture, a frequent complaint among women is the failure of the breasts to develop to a fashionably desirable size. In keeping with other American values, "big" is equated with 4'good" (Winch, 1952). To this end, manufacturers of foundation garments claim styles designed to "lift","separate","pad","cradle","form", and "shape" in such a way that they enhance the contour of the breasts and give the impression of greater size. Superficial enhancement of this sort has never been completely satisfactory to all women. The extent to which females are concerned with exhibiting breasts deemed provocative and desirable by popular standards is reflected in the variety of mechanical exercisers, cosmetic preparations, and surgical procedures which have been employed from time to time in an effort to produce lasting enlargement of the breasts. The paucity of empirical data which might support the effective316

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ness of mechanicalexercisersprecludesan evaluationof their worth. Little more is available regarding effectivenessof cosmeticprepathe rations. Estrogen creams applied to the breasts usually result in stimulationof the nipples, but there is little, if any, resultantbreast growth in the woman who has normalcirculatory levels of estrogen. Simultaneous administrationof prolactin and estrogen in large amounts may stimulate the breasts of the normalwoman, but evidence for this is not good (Lloyd and Leatham,1964; Lloyd, 1964, 1968). Earlyattempts at surgicalbreastaugrnentation were effective for a time, but ultimately proved to be either troublesome,uncomfortable, or harmful.Fatty tissue from the buttocks graftedbeneath the breastswas successfulfor a time, but in some instancesthe fat was absorbedinto the system, leavingthe breastsreducedto their previous size. Injections of paraffintended to migratefrom one part of the breast to another, and to form lumpy deposits. Injections of liquid silicon appearedsuccessful in increasingthe breast size, but the Food and DrugAdministration forbadeits use becauseit was felt it mightnot be safe. An apparentlysuccessful solution was an operationinvolvingthe implantationof a flexible silicon rubberbag filled with liquidsilicon between the breast tissue and the chest wall. After healing,breasts treated by this method retainedthe naturalfeel and appearance of untreated breasts (Brown, 1968). The disadvantages this proceof dure are that the operation necessitates hospital confinement of about one week, and is relativelyexpensive. Normal maturationand growth of the female breastsdependson the development and functioning of the pituitary-gonadal-adrenal mechanismin the productionof gonadotropichormones.There are temporary imbalancesin the amounts of the numeroushormones secreted during the period of development, as well as individuai differences in the responsivenessof the sexual end-organsto the varioushormones(Braseland Blizzard,1968). The anterior pituitary controls the activity of the final effector organ,but it is regulatedby the hypothalamus. Nervepathwaysexist which bring the hypothalamusunder the influence of the "viceral brain",which is recognizedto be the anatomicsubstrateof emotion. It is throughthese pathwaysthat emotional states can altergonadotropic function (Reichlin,1968).

WILLIAMS 318 Hitschmann (1928) reported such changes in his analytic treatment of frigidity. In the woman he treated, he found such masculine signs as flat breasts, little mustaches, and large hands. Hitschmann did not consider it proven that there was a change in the endocrine metabolism in these women when they changed during an analysis, but the breasts grew and the figure became better rounded. Groddeck (1921) and Deutsch (1926) reported cases in which psychic factors were decisive in producing breast growth. During psychoanalysis in these cases, anomalous breast changes occurred in women in whom one breasthad been retarded in development Mohr (1925) reported the case of a girl in whom strong emotions duringpuberty resulted in a psychically conditioned inhibition. of pubescence for a period of ten years. When psychotherapy was initiated,pubescence was completed in a few months, with menses, developmentof the breasts, increase of the thyroid, and disappearance hairiness of the chin of which had been present at the oftreatment. Mohr expressed beginning no doubts that endocrine factors had playeda considerable role as a connecting link, but was equally certain that the psychic factors were primary, activating the endocrines secondarily. Mohr stressed the fact that here "psychic" is by no means synonymous with sCsuggestions;that this psychosomatic interaction occurred without any suggestion. That suggestion can play an active role has been more than amply demonstrated, however. Hypnotic suggestion can produce a variety of effects which transcend normal voluntary capacities. Even in light hypnosis there is increased control over the autonomic nervous system, all the glands arld and organs it supplies. It is practicable to influence any reactive system within the organism. Many of the phenomena which have been reported lend evidence to the thesis that hypnotic suggestion can bring about the organism which are quite impossible psychobiological changes in to obtain in the waking state (Gorton, 1949; Reiter, 1965; Van Pelt, 1964; Weitzenhoffer, 1951; Wolberg, 1948). Amongthese phenomena, hypnotic regression is one of the most remarkable. There is evidence that when some individuals are regressed, experience and behaviors which existed at the earlier age are reactivated, the organic and conditions of that period may be reestablished. Wolberg (1945) described this as an actual organic reproductionan earlier period of life of in which past patterns of ideation

JAMES E.

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and behaviorsare revived. Experiencessubsequentto the regressed age appear to have no influence on the subject's awarenessor behavior(Le Cron, 1965; Norgarb,1965; Weitzenhoffer, 1957 Wolberg,1948). Kupper (1945) reported appearanceof a pre-convulsive normal electroencephalogram an epileptic patient duringhypnotic regresin sion to an age that pre-dated onset of his epilepsy. the Girdo-Frank Bowersbuch(1948) reportedthe recoveryof the and Babinskisign of plantardorsiflexionin three adultsubjectsregressed to the age of five or six months. They also found that changesin peripheralchronaxie accompaniedthe change in plantarreflex. Le Cron (1965) confirmedtheir findings,using three differentsubjects. At the regressedage of five months, he also found that the sucking reflex of infancyrevived. Converselyto age regression,Erickson(1954) employed a technique of "time projection"as an hypnotherapeutic procedure.With this procedureof orientationinto the futurehe reportedthe patient was able to achievea view of what he believedat the momenthe had alreadyaccomplished. Klemperer (1953, 1954) reportedon changesof the body imagein directed regressionsand visualizationsduring hypnoanalysis.She reported the occurrenceof seen and felt changes in tissue, organs, and body systems,accompanied perceptionsand emotions. by Researchsuggeststhat these hypnotic procedures age regression, of time projection,andchangesin body imagemay producepsychological phenomenawhich are capableof stimulatinga vatiety of physiological resE>onses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these procedurescould influence the physiologicalmechanisms associatedwith breastgrowthto producea significantincrease in breastsize in an adultfemalepopulation Method
Subjects

The subjectsconsisted of nineteenvolunteerfemaleuniversitystudents. Five were graduatestudentsand the remainingfourteenwere undergraduates. Subjectsrangedin age from eighteento forty years, with a mean age of twenty-fouryears. Fifty-threeper cent of the

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JAMES E. WILLIAMS

subjects were married. Of the married subjects, sixty per cent had borne children. Sixty per cent of the married subjects and fifty-five per cent of the single subjects reported they were taking birth control pills. The age of menarche ranged from nine years to fifteen years, with a mean age of twelve years. All subjects reported their weight had been constant (within five pounds) for a minimum period of six months preceding the experiment. Apparatus Measuring apparatus consisted of Starett ten-inch outside calipers, Johnson No. 46 vernier calipers, and a seventy-two inch flexible measuring tape. Procedure The study consisted of two phases. The first phase was a pilot study designed to compare two treatments. The experimental group consisted of three subjects who were hypnotized once weekly and received suggestions for breasts growth. The control group consisted of three subjects who were hypnotized once weekly, but received no suggestions for breast growth. At the initial treatment period of each subject, the expired breast measurements were taken around the bust on the horizonal plane of the nipples. Each subject, under the direction of the experimenter, took the measurements of another subject during the initial and all subsequent treatment periods. In addition, all measurements were verified by a third subject. Then hypnosis was induced and suggestlons were glven. The suggestions given to each subject in the control group consisted only in the establishment of a variety of sensory hallucinations. The suggestions given to each subject in the experimental group consisted of regression to a period when the breasts were developing, and the sensation of breast growth was suggested during this period. Then suggestions of time projection to an unspecified future date were given and the subject was directed to visualize her body image with increased breast size. Treatment periods averaged about one hour, and were continued for a period of twelve weeks. Each subject's expired breast measurements were recorded at each of the weekly hypnosis sessions. The

same suggestionseach subject received during the initia]treatment periodwere repeatedat each subsequentsession. The second phase of the study involved the remainingthirteen subjects.These subjectsacted as their own controlsto determinethe effectivenessof hypnotic suggestionin breast enlargement. Eachsubject'sbreastmeasurements weretaken weekly for a period of three weeks to establish a baselinepriorto the initiation of the treatmentprocedure.Inspiredand expired measurements were taken aroundthe bust on the horizontal plane of the nipples. Expired measurements were taken aroundthe chest on the honzontal plane immediately below the base of the cup of the breasts.Measurements werealso taken from the base of the cup to the nipple, from the sternum the nipple, from the lateral to peripheryto the nipple,and thespan from nipple to nipple. Each measurement throughoutthe baseline treatmentprocedurewas and madeby the experimenter and confirmed the subject,andverifiedby a by secondsubject. During the baseline period no hypnosis was induced, and no suggestions givenfor breastgrowth. were Immediately followingeach subject's final baseline measurements the on third week, hypnosis was inducedand the treatmentprocedure was initiated. The treatmentprocedureconsisted of a series of suggestionsfor regression a period when the breasts to were developing,and the sensations breast growth were of suggestedduringthis period. Suggestions then given for time were projectionto an unspecifiedfuture date, the subjectwas directedto and visualizeher body image with increased size. breast Treatmentperiods averagedabout one hour, and the treatment procedure followed once weekly for was a period of twelve weeks. Immediately following each treatmentprocedure, the samemeasures used establishthe subject's to baselinewere takenand recorded.The same suggestions given during the initial treatment period were repeated at each subsequenttreatment period. Results Thefirst phase examined, in the pilot study, whether hypnosis with suggestionsfor breastenlargement was significantly more effectivestimulatingbreastgrowth in than was hypnosiswithout specific suggestions for breastenlargement. Thecriterion for effectiveness was an increase in the breast

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322

E. JAMES WILLIAMS

of measurements the subjectsbetweenthe initiationand termination of the ofthe treatment procedures.There was no change in any in subjects the control group,while all subjectsin the experimental experienced an increasein breast measurement.Averageingroup inch. was crease one and five-eighths betweenthe treatmentgoups were examinedusingthe lDifferences U Mann-Whitney test describedby Siegel (1956). Results indicate was a significant difference (U = 0 p. < .05) between the there group (weekly hypnosis without suggestionsfor breast encontrol with sugand largement) the experimentalgroup (weekly hypnosis for gestions breastsenlargement). The second phase provideda furtherexaminationof the effectivein of ness hypnotic suggestion the stimulationof breastgrowth. in Criterionfor the effectivenessof the treatmentwas an increase on the breastmeasurements.Expired breast measurementtaken index of primary plane of the nippleswas selected as the horizontal enlargement. breast weeks for Each subject'srecord of breastmeasurements the three and this was to prior initiation of the treatmentprocedure averaged, measure.The breast measurements meanwas used as the baseline were takenduringthe last three weeks of the treatmentprocedure and averaged this meanwas used as the treatmentmeasure. were recordedin fractionsof an inch. To All breastmeasurements weresubstituted facilitatemachinecomputation,decimalequivalents forall fractionsof an inch. rangedfrom 30.21 inchesto Baselineexpired breastmeasurements 39.08 inches, with a mean measure of 33.64 inches. Treatment 41.33 expired breast measurementsranged from 32.33 inches to for inches, with a mean measureof 35.75 inches.The meanincrease increasesrangedfrom a minithe groupwas 2.11 inches. Individual mum of 1.00 inches to a maximumof 3.54 inches.Table1 presents meansfor the second the data on the individualbreastmeasurement phase. of Pairedcomparisons baselineand treatmentdata wereexamined, test Wilcoxon signed-rank describedby Siegel (1956). An using the indicated there was a significant increase in analysis of the data breastdimensionsfollowingthe treatmentprocedure(T-0, p.<.005). taken at the As a control measure,expired chest measurements breast measurebase of the breasts concurrentlywith the expired ranged ments were compared.Baselineexpiredchest measurements

STIMULATIONOF BREAST GROWTHBY HYPNOSIS TABLE 1 ExpiredBreastMeasurements SubjectNumber 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 BaselineMean 34.04 33.96 33.08 33.58 34.04 39.08 31.92 33.25 37.04 30.21 33.17 32.00 31.96 TreatmentMean 35.29 35.42 35.67 35.50 36.17 41.33 33.83 35.91 40.58 32.33 35.33 33.00 34.33

323

from 28.00 inches to 35.00 inches, with a mean measureof 29.94 rangedfrom 27.00 inches. Treatment expired chest measurements inches to 34.00 inches, with a mean measureof 29.27 inches. The meandecreasefor the groupwas .67 inch. taken were exasnined, The remainderof the breastmeasurements and a comparisonof baselineand treatmentmeansof these measures is presentedin Table2. Discussion In phase one, which was primarilya pilot study, no increasein was observedin the control groupwhen they breast measurements were hypnotized weekly without suggestionsfor breastgrowth.All subjects in the experimentalgroup exhibited an increasein breast when they were hypnotized weekly with suggestions measurements for breastgrowth. Severalextraneousvariableswere held constant for both groups. The control and the experimentalgroupeach containedone married and two single subjects. Each of the marriedsubjects had borne children. Each group included one subject over thirty years of age. The average age in each group was twenty-sevenyears, and the averageage at menarchein each group was twelve years, with none earlierthan elevenor laterthan thirteenyears. occurring Since the experimentaland control groups were approximately

324

JAMES E. WILLIAMS TABLE 2 Supplemental Breast Measurement Means Area of Measure Baseline Mean Treatment Mean

Nipple to cup base Left breast Right breast Nipple to sternum Left breast Right breast Nipple to lateral periphery Left breast Right breast Nipple span

2.40 2.3 3 4.15 4.17 3.96 3.9 6 8.03

2.50 2.5 5 4.25 4.29 4.33 4.36 8.23

equal in marital status, child bearing, age, and age at menarche, it does not appear that these factors influenced the results to any significant degree. This preliminary evidence suggests that hypnosis per se had no direct effect on the breast enlargement, but that hypnosis with suggestions for breast growth was effective in stimulating breast enlargement. In the second phase, each subject acted as her own control in examining the effectiveness of hypnotic suggestions in stimulating breast growth. Baseline data taken prior to treatment was compared with the data of the last three weeks of treatment and it was determined that increases in individual breast measurements ranged from one to three and one-half inches. All subjects experienced enlargement following treatment, with an average increase of two and one-eighth inches. Expired chest measurements were taken weekly to determine if the increase in breast measurements might be due to enlargement of the rib cage or upper torso. To the contrary, it was found that the chest measurements decreased an average of five-eighths on an inch in association with the increase in breast measurements. Supplementary breast measurements indicate the increase in breast size was symmetrical, with average increases of about one-eighth of an inch from the cup base to the nipple and the sternum to the nipple, threeeighths of an inch from the lateral periphery to the nipple, and one-fourth of an inch in the span of the nipples. An examination of the background data failed to disclose any

STIMULATIONOF BREAST GROWTHBY HYPNOSIS

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factor which might havesignificance selectingthe populationwith in which this particular proceduremightbe most effective. The average increase in breast measurementwas somewhat less in the married subjects than in the single subjects, but marriedsubjects who had borne childrenexhibited slightly largeraverageincreasesthan those who had not. There were no significant differences in breast growth between subjectswho were takingbirth controlpills and those who were not. Two subjects discontinuedbirth control pills midway through the procedure without noticablyalteringtheir growthcurve. The only variablewhich might appearto influence the degree of breast enlargementwas the age of menarche.The subjectswho had an age of menarcheof elevenyearsor less showedan average increase of about one and one-fourthinch, comparedto the groupaverage of two and one-eighth inches. However, with a sample of only four subjectsin this category,little can be inferredfrom this data without furtherinvestigation. The basic method of hypnotic induction used was a variationof the hand levitation procedure described by Wolberg(1948). No attempt was made to achievestability in depth of hypnosisbetween subjects,since one of the extraneousconsiderations the study was of to determine if depth of hypnosis was a significantfactor in the degree to which suggestionscould influence breast growth. Since some subjectswho were not able to achievedeep hypnosisshoweda greaterincreasein breastsize than some who were, it appeared that depth of hypnosiswas not a significant factor. No attempt was made to verify true regression test. It was not by considered that the presence or absence of true regressionwould influencethe outcome of the procedure. It was not withinthe scope of this paperto determinewhat, if any, changes in the hormonal sphere were brought about through the treatinent procedure investigated. Whatever the psychobiologic changeswhich are involvedin the mechanisms associatedwith breast growth, it appearsa reality that hypnotic suggestionscan influence them to a significantdegree. References
BRASELT AND J. A. BLIZZARD M. The influence of the endocrineglands upon growthand R. development. In R. H. Williams (Ed.), Textbook Endocrinology, ed.), Philaof (4th delphia: W. B. Saunders,1968.

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W. BROWN, E. Cosmetic Surgery. New York: Stein & Day, 1968. F. DEUTSCH, Der gesunde und der kranke Korper in psychoanalyticherBetrachtung. Cited by H. F. Dunbar,Emotions and Bodily Chunges,(4th ed.), New York:Columbia UniversityPress, 1954. M. ERICKSON, H. Pseudo-orientationin time as an hypnotherapeuticprocedure.Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 1954, 2, 261-283. M. K. L. AND GIRDO-FRANK, BOWERSBUCH, A study of the plantar responsein hypnotic age regression.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, 1948, 107, 443-458. 1949 23, 317-343, B. GORTON, E. The physiologyof hypnosis,I & II. Psychiatric Quarterly, 457-485. . G. Ueberdie psychoanalysedes organischenim menschen Cited by H. F. DunGRODDECK, bar, Emotions and Bodily Changes,(4th ed.). New York:ColumbiaUniversityPress, 1954. E. Psychoanalysetrotz hormonen. Cited by H. F. Dunbar, Emotions and HITSCHMANN, Bodily Changes, (4th ed.). New York: Columbia University Press, 1954. Journalof Clinicaland ExperiE. Changesof the body image in hypnoanalysis. KLEMPERER, mental Hypnosis, 1954,2, 157--162. E. KLEMPERER,Hypnosis and hypnoanalysis. Journsl of American Medical Women's 8, 164. Association, H. KUPPER, L. Psychic concomitants in wartime injuries.PsychosomaticMedicine, 1945, 7, 15-21. L. LE CRON, M. A study of age regressionunderhypnosis. In L. M. Le Cron(Ed.), Experimental Hypnosis. New York:Citadel Press, 1965. C. LLOYD, W. Problems associated with sexual maturationand lactation. In C. W. Lloyd (Ed.), Human Reproduction and Sexual Behllvior. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1964. (4th ed.). C. LLOYD, W. The ovaries. In R. H. Williams (Ed.), Textbookof Endocrinologx, Philadelphia:W. B. Saunders, 1968. J. H. LEATHEM, Growthand developmentof the breast and lactation.In C. LLOYD, W. AND C. W. Lloyd (Ed.), Human Reproductionand Sexual Behavior.Philadelphia:Lea & Febiger,1964. Cited by H. F. Dunbar,Emotions and F. MOHR, PsychophysischeBehandlungsmethoden. Bodily Changes,(4th ed.). New York: ColumbiaUniversity Press, 1954. B. NORGARB,A. Rorschachpsychodiagnosisin hypnotic regression.In L. M. Le Cron(Ed), Experimental Hypnosis. New York: Citadel Press, 1965. In S. REICHLIN, Neuroendocrinology. R. H. Williams (Ed.), Textbook of Endocrinology, (4th ed.). Philadelphia: W. R. Saunders, 1968. P. REITER, J. The influence of hypnosis on somatic fields of function: In L. M. Le Cron (Ed.), Experimental Hypnosis. New York. Citadel Press, 1965. S. SIEGELT NonparametricStatistics. New York: McGraw-Hill,1956. VANPELT,S. J. Will hypnosis revolutionize medicine? In R. Rhodes (Ed.), Therapy Through Hypnosis. New York: Citadel Press, 1964. R. WINCH, F. TheModernFamily. New York:HenryHolt, 1952. A. M. WEITZENHOFFER, The transcendenceof normalvoluntarycapacities in hypnosis:An evaluation.Personality, 1951, 272-282. A. M. WEITZENHOFFER, General Techniquesof Hypnotism. New York:Grune& Stratton, 1957. L. WOLBERG, R. Hypnoanalysis.New York: Grune & Stratton, 1945. L. WOLBERG,R. Medical Hypnosis. New York:Grune & Stratton, 1948. 2 vols.
1953?