The Truth about Hypnosis and Weight Loss

 

Perhaps you are tired of diets and want to find a new, more effective way of losing weight and importantly maintaining a healthy weight?

 

Research has shown that hypnosis really is a very effective way of achieving this. In a study by; Bolocofsy, D. N., Spinler, D. & Coulthard-Morris, L (1985). “Effectiveness of hypnosis as an adjunct to behavioural weight management ” Journal of clinical Psychology, 41 (1), 35-41, individuals were divided into 2 groups. One group was treated with changes in diet and exercise habits without any hypnosis and the other group were given the same diet and exercise treatment and in addition also had hypnosis for reinforcement. After 9 weeks, both groups lost weight, however, what was most surprising was the sustainability of the weight loss. At an 8 month and 2 year review it was found that the group that did not have hypnosis did not lose any more weight and in fact, most of the group had gained their weight back. Those individuals that had hypnotherapy, continued to lose weight during the entire period demonstrating that hypnosis not only helps you achieve weight loss, but helps you maintain it.

 

In a further study by; Cochrane, G. and Friesen, J. (1986). “Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492, a group of 60 females,at least 20% overweight, were split into 2 groups, one given weight loss behavioural treatments and counselling and the other receiving the same treatment and addition they had hypnosis. Results showed that the hypnosis group lost on average 17 lbs at the 6 month follow up whereas the non-hypnosis group only lost ½ lb!

 

In a third study by; Kirch and Irving (1996). “Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioural weight loss treatements” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519, in a meta analysis of studies (the correlation of results from multiple studies) it was found that the average short term weight loss for those not using hypnosis was 6 lbs versus 11.83 lbs for those using hypnosis. More importantly, over a long term period, those not using hypnosis remained at a weight loss of 6 lbs, whereas those who had had hypnosis increased to 14.88 lbs which would indicate that hypnosis would appear to support long term weight loss.

 

In summary therefore, research would indicate that individuals using hypnosis to aid weight loss lose between 2 and 16 ½ times more weight that those who don’t use hypnosis!!!