Weight Loss Through Hypnosis: Success Stories

When considering hypnosis as a way to lose weight, there is some good news and some bad news. The good news is that this method can work for you if properly done and, ideally, teamed up with other behavior modification techniques. The bad news is that there are many scams promising results that probably will not be achieved, while taking your money. If you research the proper way to combine hypnosis with behavior modification, you can lose weight through hypnosis.

• Lose Weight Through Hypnosis

Considerations

• Beware of claims that tell you that you will lose weight instantly through hypnosis. Weight loss cannot be instantaneous. In addition, hypnosis, if done incorrectly, can be harmful. Dr. David Spiegel talked about this on an episode of Dateline NBC. He warned people to be skeptical of any claims that hypnosis can alter the workings of the mind.

Function

• Responsible hypnotherapists will tell you, according to Dr. David Kaplan, that hypnosis should be only one part of an integrated weight loss program. Because hypnotism introduces suggestibility in some people, hypnosis can change the eating habits of overweight people, allowing weight loss to occur. A study conducted by Bolocofsky, Spinler and Coulthard-Morris (1985) showed that hypnosis, combined with a behavioral program designed to change eating patterns, contributed significantly to weight loss.

Benefits

• The reason hypnosis works for losing weight is because it increases a person's ability to act on weight loss suggestions. Hypnosis will also positively reinforce weight loss. Hypnosis can help people learn how to eat properly, a key to weight loss. Hypnosis also helps to keep the weight off in the long term by creating and reinforcing healthy eating habits.

Expert Insight

• In order to be successful using hypnosis to lose weight, is has been recommended by the Bolocofsky et al study and by another study by Andersen, (1985) to see a hypnotist for eight weeks or more and to combine this with self-hypnosis. You must beware of advertisers who claim that you will lose weight from only one hypnotic session. It is not easy to lose weight if you are obese. Any program will need to occur on a regular basis for a significant period.

Potential

• A hypnotic program should be unique for each person. You should plan on this program taking up some time and effort if you want it to work. If you buy into a program that promises easy and quick weight loss through hypnosis, be prepared for this program to not achieve your desired results. However, when combined with another form of behavior modification designed to change your eating habits, you can lose weight through hypnosis and keep it off.