Studies were conducted on the effectiveness of using hypnotherapy in weight loss.
Three studies were conducted, among many others, that clearly demonstrate how hypnosis is effective for people who want to lose weight and keep it off.
The First Study
Study 1 was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. They divided 109 people into two groups for a 9-week study. The members of the first group were treated with changes in diet and exercise habits (the only way to lose weight) without the addition of hypnosis. The participants in the second group were given the same diet and exercise treatment and were also provided hypnosis for reinforcement.
After 9 weeks, not surprisingly, both groups lost weight due to the changes in diet and exercise while under supervision. What happened after the 8-month and 2-year follow-ups might surprise you:
- The group that did not have hypnosis did not lose any more weight, and, in fact, most gained most of their weight back.
- The hypnosis group, however, continued to lose weight during both intervals, and the studies showed that far more people in the hypnosis group met their long-term weight-loss goals.
The most important thing to realize is that the hypnosis group continued the eating and exercise habits learned in the experiment, while the non-hypnosis group did not.
There is no magic pill for weight loss. You simply have to follow a healthy eating and exercise/movement plan. From this study, it was clear that hypnosis supports an increase in continued healthy and positive eating and behavioural change.
Bolocofsky, David N.: Spinler, Dwayne; Coulthard-Morris. Linda (1985). “Effectiveness of hypnosis as an adjunct to behavioral weight management.” Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41 (1), 35-41.
Study Two
A study was published in the “Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,”. This study investigated the effects of hypnosis in weight loss for 60 females at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatment. The researchers interviewed each participant this time about their family background, educational background, and their belief as to their hypnotisability.
The group was split into hypnosis and non-hypnosis groups with both groups being given weight-loss behavioural treatments and counselling. The results were very interesting. The group using hypnosis lost an average of 17 pounds at the 6-month follow-up. The group that did not receive hypnosis only lost 1/2 pound. They also found that “hypnotisability” and social and educational backgrounds had nothing to do with the results.
Cochrane, Gordon: Friesen, J. (1986). “Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.
Study Three
In this meta-analysis, (which is when researchers correlate the results of multiple studies), the results of multiple studies were confirmed. In the studies of hypnosis versus no hypnosis the average short-term weight loss was 3kg (6 pounds) for those not using hypnosis and 6kg (11.83 pounds) with hypnosis each month. Even more importantly, over the long term, the average weight loss without hypnosis remained stagnant without further progression. With hypnosis it jumped to 9 Kg (14.88 pounds), indicating again that the effects of hypnosis continue over an extended time. This is due to the subconscious mind change that occurs.
What is impressive about these results is that hypnosis should be used by anyone who is serious about weight loss.
Kirsch, Irving (1996). “Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioural weight loss treatments”—another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.
Article from: http://static.vg.no/pdf/Three_Studies_WL_Hypnosis.pdf
