Is It Possible To Weight Loss With Hypnosis?
In a study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2016, there are more than 1.9 billion over the age of 18, overweight and more than 650 million of them are obese. Being overweight is a major concern as it can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, sleep apnea, arthritis, and even cancer. For this reason, different weight loss programs and treatments are becoming increasingly popular to help these people with weight loss. Research reports show that the long-term success rate of weight loss programs is only about 20%. One of these studies is hypnosis.
In hypnosis to lose weight, patients essentially enter a trance-like state where the mind is more open to receiving feedback and accepting suggestions. This concept is a global situation that creates interest among researchers in order to determine facts and verify its effectiveness with scientific evidence. This article contains information about whether hypnosis is effective in losing weight.
What is Hypnosis in Slimming?
To understand hypnosis in losing weight, it is necessary to know about hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnosis, is a procedure where therapists aim to relax people and help them focus better, according to the American Psychological Association. Many people consider this technique questionable, but researchers have proven the truth of this practice. As the person gains a comfortable psychology with hypnosis, his focus on weight loss increases and his studies on weight loss become more useful.
Hypnotherapy is popular among clinicians to help patients change their habits, control anxiety and mood disorders, prevent depression, quit smoking, and relieve pain. Moreover, patients can learn and do self-hypnosis to help themselves. Inspired by the positive results of the successful application of hypno therapy, medical doctors are exploring ways to harness the benefits of hypnosis for weight loss. During this process, a patient’s subconscious mind awakens. This is important because research shows that there is a subconscious mind involved in influencing decision making. Therefore, what seems difficult or unattainable under normal circumstances becomes easier to resolve when a person is hypnotized.
Hypnosis allows patients to identify key areas that hinder their success and encourages them to act with determination. This is when the patients themselves are ready for change without outside pressure. They make better food choices, drop harmful habits, and follow a healthy routine. Weight loss hypnotherapy aims to be handled in this way.
Is Hypnosis Effective in Weight Loss?
Although the common perception of hypnosis is associated with a swinging object that makes one possible hypnosis, hypnotism is based on science and is beneficial in weight loss. Along with dietary advice, physical exercise, and better lifestyle, weight loss is possible with hypnosis. To support this statement, it is necessary to take a look at some important research results on the effectiveness of weight loss hypno therapy. Here are some of these studies:
• Psychologist and authors David N Bolocofsky published a study report on behavioral weight management through hypnosis in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. 109 patients between the ages of 17 and 68 were included in the study, conducted over a nine-week period, and participants were divided into two groups. One group received only dietary guidance with recommended exercises for weight loss, while the second group received hypnotherapy alongside exercise and dietary support. After nine weeks, both groups showed significant improvement in weight loss. However, after the first and second follow-up eight months and two years, respectively, the second group that received hypnotherapy continued to lose weight.
• A study by Cochrane and Friesen included 60 female candidates to evaluate hypnosis for weight loss. They interviewed the participants and stated that the subjects were not involved in any other weight loss treatment. They divided the group into two groups as hypnotized and non-hypnotic. Counseling and behavioral treatments were applied to both groups. The study resulted in interesting results, and the academics were followed up again six months after the treatment ended. Hypnotized patients lost half a kilo in six months while the non-hypnotized group lost an average of 17 kilos.
• In another clinical study, Italian academics tested two types of hypnosis and one received self-hypnosis and the second regular or habitual hypnosis. Each individual received advice on exercise and behavior, including dietary aid. At the end of the study, it has been proven that the result from habitual hypnosis indicates greater weight loss and reduced calorie intake. Self-hypnosis also helped improve quality of life and satisfaction among participants.
• A controlled trial of hypnosis has had positive results in the treatment of obesity among patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. According to J Stradling and colleagues at the Chest Unit of Churchill Hospital in Oxford, England, the group undergoing hypnotherapy with stress reduction showed a small but significant weight loss compared to patients who received dietary advice only.
• In another clinical study involving 60 female candidates, the researchers studied both (i) hypno-behavioral therapy and (ii) energetic psychotherapy, i.e. hypno-energetic therapy, body weight, eating disorders, BMI and general body concept. They found that it raised.
How Does Hypnosis Work for Weight Loss?
The scientific explanation for how hypnosis is effective in losing weight can be found in the way the brain functions during hypnotism. Neuroscientists and scientists in the field of cognitive science have revealed interesting facts about how our brains respond to hypnotism. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine conducted brain scans of 57 people who were hypnotized under guidance. During the procedure, they noticed three major changes in the brain. These differences are as follows:
• Decreased activity was detected in the dorsal anterior cingulate. According to the study’s senior author, David Spiegel, this is because the mind stops worrying about other things during hypnotism.
• Connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula have increased. Spiegel explains this as the brain-body connection where the brain knows and controls what happens to the body.
• Separation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the posterior cingulate cortex and the medial prefrontal was observed. In simple terms, it represents the indifference between an action and its reflection. This enables patients to really listen and follow recommendations.
Disadvantages of Using Hypnosis for Weight Loss
Until now, there are no reports of hypnosis for weight loss. The disadvantages are on the generality of the application of hypnosis. These disadvantages can be listed as follows:
• Hypnotic suggestions can immediately change the perceived color of objects.
• Hypnotic suggestions can cause visual hallucinations.
• Auditory-visual hallucinations can also occur where subjects based on hypnotic suggestions can hear and see the suggested sounds and objects.
Participants may experience temporary post-hypnosis amnesia
• In weight loss hypnosis, once again, there is no evidence of disadvantages. It should not be forgotten that a miracle should not be expected in applying hypnosis to lose weight. This is a scientific therapy and should not be expected to lose weight overnight. Achieving the desired goals requires patience and consistency throughout the process.
Other Benefits of Using Hypnosis for Weight Loss
Hypnotherapy not only helps to lose extra weight, but also provides higher self-esteem, confidence, satisfaction, acceptance and self-control. A research group led by Volery and other French scientists focused on hypnosis, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression associated with excessive body weight, anxiety, and psychological difficulties. In addition to helping you lose weight, this specific form of hypnotherapy helps in other ways. These benefits are as follows:
Helps manage anxiety and stress
- Can help treat diabetes
- Regulates dietary intake and treats eating disorders
- Strengthens the sense of self
- Helps to lose weight in the long term
There are many benefits of applying hypnosis to lose weight. It increases confidence, makes patients disciplined and helps with weight loss. It should be noted that hypnosis is more effective when used in addition to a proper diet, exercise, and an improved lifestyle.
