Does Hypnotism for Weight Loss Work?

Hypnosis for weight loss is an intriguing, but controversial, treatment option. Opinions vary as to whether people lose weight through hypnotic suggestion.

Hypnosis Definition

• Hypnosis is an artificially induced trance-like state in which the subject is more highly responsive to suggestions. While it is familiar to most people through movies and television as a mysterious form of mind control, hypnosis is used for many therapeutic reasons.

How Hypnosis Works

• Hypnosis works by guiding subjects into a relaxed state, in which they learn new thought patterns and behaviors. The subject is so engrossed in the hypnotherapist's directions that he is not distracted by the world around him. This is much like being engrossed by a book or movie to the point of shutting out the outside world.

Research Findings

• Several studies seem to show that hypnosis helps people lose weight when it is paired with some other behavior-modification techniques.

  According to a 1985 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, researchers D.N. Bolocofsky, D. Spinler and L. Couthard-Morris found that using hypnosis increased the amount of weight loss: "Hypnosis can...step in as a psychological reinforcer. Hypnosis may assist subjects in learning positive eating behaviors and creating healthy long-term patterns of food intake. Subjects are then more likely to incorporate the rules of a particular
  program into their behavioral regimes."

  A 1996 study by I. Kirsch published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology noted a weight loss of six pounds without hypnosis and 11.83 pounds with hypnosis based on a meta-analysis of six studies.

  A 1998 study at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, England, found a "statistically significant result in favour of hypnotherapy. However, the benefits were small and clinically insignificant."

  All these studies compared behavior weight-management programs (e.g., diet, exercise, stress-management programs) done with and without hypnosis.

Choosing a Hypnotherapist

• Hypnotherapists and hypnotherapy programs vary. Ask friends and family members about hypnotherapists with whom they have worked. When choosing a hypnotherapist, meet with her to be sure you would have a good rapport with her. Trust is a foundation of hypnotherapy and is needed in order for her suggestions to work.

  Be aware of the difference between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist. A hypnotist is someone who induces a person into hypnosis and gives positive suggestions to improve his/her well-being. A hypnotherapist also provides positive suggestions, but also may perform counseling and other therapies. The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the National Board of Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists are among organizations that offer certification to medical professionals who provide hypnotherapy.

  While there is no national certification of hypnotherapists, many states require them to be licensed. The National Guild of Hypnotists offers certification to lay hypnotherapists (that is, those without at least a master's degree in health sciences) upon completion of 100 hours of hypnotherapy training.

Self-Hypnosis Products

• Many products can teach self-hypnosis techniques. They are available in book, audio and video format. For the most part, these products guide you into a relaxed state, then provide positive suggestions for weight loss. These techniques must be used consistently in order to be effective. Self-hypnosis books may be more convenient and less expensive that hypnotherapy visits; however, the suggestions offered are not personalized to your specific needs.

  Before purchasing a hypnosis product, read reviews to find out exactly what each includes and whether other users have had success. Find out the author's or presenter's credentials. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality. Find out the manufacturer's refund policy before purchase.

Consideration

• Losing weight is never easy. Hypnosis may make the effort easier, but you will still have to change your habits and behaviors over a long period of time. If you think hypnosis will guide you to eat less and exercise more, then give it a try.