Hypnosis for Weight Loss: Does it Work?

An Overview of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is one possible solution for overcoming these mental barriers in the brain. You’ve probably seen countless movies and television shows where characters visit a hypnotist to remember a repressed memory or modify their mental attitude about something.

Hypnosis is an actual type of psychotherapy, although it is considered an alternative therapy. When you visit a hypnotherapist, they will try to reach your subconsciousness by putting you into a state of complete relaxation.

Once you are relaxed, your mind will be open to any verbal suggestions in which the hypnotherapist feeds into it. These suggestions have the power to alter your habits, behaviours, beliefs and emotions.

Some people are more susceptible to hypnotherapy than others. It is not an exact science, so it is considered an alternative therapy. There are no guarantees as to whether it will work for you. But if all other methods of weight loss have failed you, why not give hypnotherapy a chance?

Can I Lose Weight with Self-Hypnosis?

Self-hypnosis is another form of hypnotherapy. Rather than receive help from a hypnotherapist, the person puts themselves into a relaxed state of mind and implements the power of self-suggestion into it.

Think about it in terms of self-control. When you utilize self-hypnosis techniques, you have the potential to re-train your mind into developing new habits and self-control abilities.

For example, you’ll have the ability to limit the portion sizes of your meals so that you consume fewer calories. Most importantly, you’ll have the ability to choose more nutritious foods while avoiding tasty junk foods. You should notice significant weight loss results with a few weeks.

Multiple studies have shown that people have had significant progress in losing weight after implementing self-hypnosis techniques into their lives. But you must seek guidance from a certified therapist or hypnotist to ensure that you perform the self-hypnosis techniques properly. They will monitor your progress along the way.

What Areas of the Mind Does Self-Hypnosis Target?

Many doctors still don’t understand how hypnotherapy affects the mind and body to promote weight loss. Researchers have conducted numerous studies into the matter over the last 30+ years. And yet, there is not much known about the impact of hypnosis on losing weight.

Here are what doctors know about self-hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

1) Hypnosis Can Reverse Emotional Issues in the Subconscious Mind

Most people know how to lose weight. We’ve all been taught that eating fruits, vegetables, grains, and white meats are the best foods for weight loss. However, many of us continue to eat bad foods that taste good because of an emotional dysfunction. It causes you to eat for pleasure so that you can temporarily satisfy that emotional dysfunction.

How does this emotional dysfunction arise? The common reason is when a person experiences an emotional trauma, such as an abusive relationship or a lost loved one. The negative emotions created from these experiences will cause you to eat for a “quick fix” of pleasure. But like most addictions, the fix does not last for very long. So then you’ll want to go back and eat lousy food again to get it.

How does hypnosis work for weight loss? Hypnosis can assist you in dealing with the memories and experiences of your trauma. If you are successful with hypnotherapy, you’ll be able to make peace with your past trauma and move on with your life.

2) Modify Your Faulty Belief System About Weight Loss

Our society makes us believe that only a perfect body is a healthy body. This puts a lot of pressure on people who want to lose weight but lack the motivation to achieve the ideal body.

You don’t need a perfect body. No one expects you to have six-pack abs and the body of a supermodel. But if you have trouble accepting reality, hypnotherapy can target and reverse your misconceptions about weight loss and the ideal body type. That way, you can be proud of your achievements without having to be perfect. This will help you move forward and never give up on your weight loss journey.

3) Hypnosis Can Reduce Your Junk Food Cravings

Some people fall into the habit of exercising, but then rewarding themselves with junk food afterwards. Exercise won’t help you lose weight if your diet is terrible. But when we put ourselves under stress from exercise or a hard day’s work, we are encouraged to reward ourselves with a tasty treat. In the end, this ends up being counterproductive in fulfilling your weight loss goals.

Does hypnosis for weight loss work? Hypnosis can help you stop rewarding yourself with junk food after you accomplish a short-term goal. Instead, you will learn to reward yourself with healthy snacks rather than junk food snacks. For example, if you run four miles and work up an appetite, reward yourself with fruits and grains rather than sugary desserts.

The Two Types of Hypnosis for Weight Loss

We touched upon the two types of hypnosis for weight loss already, but let’s discuss them in more detail below.

Self-hypnosis

Self-hypnosis can help some people lose weight by changing their mindset and belief system appropriately. Rather than having a hypnotherapist feed you commands directly, you will have an audio recording speak to you. A licensed hypnotherapist can provide you with the appropriate audio recordings like Weightnosis so that you can conduct a self-hypnosis session whenever you want.

Don’t just download any audio session from the internet. Make sure an actual licensed hypnotherapist recorded it. It is the best way to ensure that the self-hypnosis session will work out well for you. Also, self-hypnosis is so much cheaper than visiting a hypnotherapist in their office.

Now, with a one-time payment of $14.95, you can get lifetime access to Weightnosis created by Dr. Steve G. Jones.

Direct Hypnotherapy

Beginners should make an appointment to visit a licensed hypnotherapist at their office. They have the training and experience to administer hypnosis directly. People who have trouble with hypnotizing themselves might have better luck with an in-person hypnotherapist. However, you will have to pay hundreds of dollars per session to see a hypnotherapist.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Losing Weight with Hypnosis?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you keep failing at various diet and exercise programs because you quit them too fast?
• Are your bad eating habits too strong for you to overcome?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, you have an underlying problem in your subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is a mysterious place within ourselves that we cannot control outright. It is a place where our addictions, emotions, beliefs and habits get stimulated.

The only way to alter the subconscious mind is through hypnotherapy. The traditional approach is with behavioral therapy and psychotherapy, but multiple studies have shown that hypnotherapy is more effective. It is the best way to modify the behavioral patterns and habits responsible for your food addictions and relapses.

So yes, you would be a suitable candidate for losing weight with hypnosis.

What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session?

Every hypnotherapist will usually apply their methodology and techniques to each session. There is no fixed amount of time per session, although the average session is about 45 minutes each. A patient generally attends five sessions, with each session on a different day.

When you begin a session, the therapist will ask you to lie down on their comfortable couch or chair and close your eyes. They will suggest for you to relax your body and mind. Focus entirely on the words of the hypnotherapist. They will tell you what to think about and which memories or feelings to focus on the most.

As you focus on the emotions or habits in your subconscious, the hypnotherapist will feed you suggestions to train your mind so that you can change those emotions and habits. Just imagine a deep state of relaxation with a trusted voice guiding you through the inner workings of your mind.

Don’t worry, though, because you cannot be forced to do something against your will. Some people think hypnotherapy is like a trance, where the practitioner takes control of your mind. It is nothing like that.

You still have complete control over yourself and the actions you take. If you don’t want to perform specific actions or suggestions made to you, then you can refuse.

Additional Benefits of Hypnosis

Scientific studies into hypnosis have been performed all around the world. Researchers have been eager to learn about all the ways in which hypnotherapy can help someone.

Let’s examine the scientific evidence that came from some of these studies.

Hypnosis for Reducing Pain

A Swiss hospital conducted a study on 40 burn patients in their Intensive Care Unit. Each patient was prescribed opioids to reduce their pain. The level of pain was monitored with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

The purpose of the study was to see if the opioids could be replaced with hypnotherapy sessions while continuing to reduce the pain. Half of the patients were given hypnotherapy sessions and the other half were not. The patients who underwent hypnotherapy ended up claiming that they had less pain. The results also showed that the patients who received hypnotherapy had less anxiety and stress too.

Berger, M. M., Davadant, M., Marin, C., Wasserfallen, J. B., Pinget, C., Maravic, P., … & Chiolero, R. L. (2010). Impact of a pain protocol including hypnosis in major burns. Burns, 36(5), 639-646.

The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis conducted a study on self-hypnosis and its ability to reduce headaches. After studying patients who underwent self-hypnosis, the results showed that those patients experienced fewer headaches, less stress, and a much better mood.

Kohen, D. P. (2010). Long-term follow-up of self-hypnosis training for recurrent headaches: what the children say. Intl. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 58(4), 417-432.

Hypnosis to Quit Smoking

Hypnosis may help you to quit smoking. The American Lung Association of Ohio conducted a study on more than 2,800 chronic smokers. All of these smokers were given one hypnotherapy session in an attempt to change their smoking habit mindset. Approximately 30 days later, over 20% of these smokers claimed that they didn’t smoke at all during those 30 days.

Ahijevych, K., Yerardl, R., & Nedilsky, N. (2000). Descriptive outcomes of the American Lung Association of Ohio hypnotherapy smoking cessation program. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 48(4), 374-387.

The San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center also conducted a study that proved that hypnosis was effective in helping people to quit smoking. The participants of the study had undergone either behavioural counselling or hypnotherapy. Approximately 6 and 12 months later, the hypnotherapy participants were reportedly more successful in quitting smoking than the participants who received behavioural counselling.

Carmody, T. P., Duncan, C., Simon, J. A., Solkowitz, S., Huggins, J., Lee, S., & Delucchi, K. (2008). Hypnosis for smoking cessation: a randomized trial. Nicotine & tobacco research, 10(5), 811-818.

Hypnosis for Alcohol Management

The Hospital of the West Indies conducted a study into treating alcohol abuse with hypnosis. One year after the participants underwent a vigorous hypnotherapy program, approximately 77% of them were able to stop drinking entirely.

Barnaby, L., & Gibson, R. C. (2008). Factors affecting completion of a 28-day inpatient substance abuse treatment programme at the University Hospital of the West Indies. West Indian Medical Journal, 57(4), 364-368.

Hypnosis for Improving Self-Esteem

The University of Stellenbosch in South Africa conducted a study to determine if hypnosis could improve the self-esteem of its students. According to the study results, all the participants were found to have much better self-esteem from the hypnotherapy sessions.

De Vos, H. M., & Louw, D. A. (2009). Hypnosis-induced mental training programmes as a strategy to improve the self-concept of students. Higher Education, 57(2), 141-154.

Hypnosis for Reducing Blood Pressure

In 2011, the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis conducted a study that proved that hypnosis could reduce high blood pressure in its participants. The study used a wide range of participants undergoing different treatments. Some of them were actively taking hypertension medication, while others were taking no medication. The third group of participants were only being treated with hypnotherapy. Can you guess which group had the lowest blood pressure in the end? It was the group receiving hypnotherapy. Not only that but all their symptoms were gone too.

Deabler, H. L., Fidel, E., Dillenkoffer, R. L., & Elder, S. T. (1973). The use of relaxation and hypnosis in lowering high blood pressure. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 16(2), 75-83.

Hypnosis for Asthma

The California School of Medicine conducted a study that showed that hypnosis could reduce asthma symptoms in patients. In fact, the study showed that asthma suffers could use hypnosis as a healthy treatment alternative to traditional prescription medications. It is not a cure for asthma, but it can still relieve symptoms just the same. The best part is that hypnosis costs significantly less than asthma medications, allowing patients to save more money on their medical bills.

Hackman, R. M., Stern, J. S., & Gershwin, M. E. (2000). Hypnosis and asthma: a critical review. Journal of Asthma, 37(1), 1-15.

Hypnosis for Battling Depression

Clinical depression sufferers may find relief with hypnosis. Several different research studies have shown that hypnosis is highly effective at reducing the symptoms associated with clinical depression, including stress and anxiety. Patients who receive psychotherapy and hypnotherapy experienced even more relief from their symptoms.

Yapko, M. D. (1993). Hypnosis and depression. Handbook of clinical hypnosis, 339-355.

Hypnosis for Treating Sleep Disorders

According to the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, hypnosis effectively improves the symptoms associated with specific sleep disorders, such as night terrors and sleepwalking. Studies found that patients who practised self-hypnosis techniques had experienced the most relief of their symptoms. In fact, approximately 74% of one study’s participants had claimed to experience significant improvement in overcoming their sleep disorders. These patients received follow-ups on their condition at six months and 24 months after the study was first performed.

Hurwitz, T. D., Mahowald, M. W., Schenck, C. H., & Schluter, J. L. (1991). A retrospective outcome study and review of hypnosis as treatment of adults with sleepwalking and sleep terror. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.

Hypnosis for Treating Cancer Symptoms

An England-based study showed that patients with terminal cancer had a better quality of life after receiving hypnotherapy. There were approximately 50 terminally ill cancer participants in the study, with 25 receiving traditional medication and the other 25 receiving hypnotherapy sessions each week. The patients receiving hypnotherapy showed a greater reduction in their cancer symptoms, including less anxiety and depression.

Liossi, C., & White, P. (2006). Efficacy of clinical hypnosis in the enhancement of quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients. Contemporary Hypnosis, 18(3), 145-160.

There are so many different ways to treat medical and psychological disorders with hypnosis. Numerous studies have already been done on virtually every medical disorder imaginable, where hypnosis was the primary treatment method used.

These studies have shown overwhelmingly that hypnosis can treat most medical and psychological disorders. Not only do patients end up feeling better, but they also don’t have to pay for expensive prescription drugs either. That means the patients save money and avoid the unwanted side effects that usually come from prescription drugs.

What are the Side Effects of Hypnotherapy?

You have nothing to worry about when it comes to hypnotherapy. Most patients don’t experience any negative or unwanted side effects.

It is also inexpensive to receive hypnotherapy sessions compared to the cost of prescription medications.

But if you currently suffer from a health condition which impacts your weight, it is best to seek the advice of a qualified medical practitioner or doctor. They will know the best way to treat your condition, whether it’s with hypnotherapy or a traditional treatment method.

Weight Loss Tips

Hypnosis can assist you in your weight loss journey, but you have to put in the work to see the results. This means doing your exercises and maintaining a healthy diet.

Below are tips to help you lose more weight during this journey:

• Try to move your body around every day, especially if you work at an office job where you sit most of the day. Health experts recommend performing at least 150 minutes of medium-intensity cardiovascular exercise each week, such as walking, gardening, or water aerobics. If you can handle more intense exercise, do at least 75 minutes of running, incline hiking or swimming exercises each week.
• Make a list of all the food you plan to eat on each day of the week. Stick to that list, and don’t eat anything that is not on the list. That will help you maintain your dietary goals and avoid pleasure eating.
• Fruits and vegetables should be the main foods on your list. Fiber consumption is essential for a fast metabolism and healthy digestive system. Health experts recommend that you consume 25 grams of fiber per day. It will also suppress your appetite too.
• Drink a minimum of 6 glasses of water each day. Water consumption is a great way to feel fuller and to stop eating too much.
• Don’t skip any meals. Each a healthy meal at regular intervals throughout the day to stimulate your metabolism.

So, Does Hypnosis Work for Weight Loss?

Self-hypnosis can be helpful when it comes to weight loss, particularly when it’s applied together with diet and exercise modifications. Of course, it never hurts to have a licensed hypnotherapist in your corner to guide you along the way. They can teach you self-hypnosis techniques for you to perform at home.

In addition, they can perform hypnotherapy on you in person and dig into the heart of your subconscious to modify your unhealthy emotions and habits. Then perhaps you can do a better job of controlling your cravings and avoiding pleasure eating to reduce stress.

Let hypnotherapy be your source for reducing stress and suppressing hunger instead.