Scientific Studies Show Hypnotherapy can Boost Weight Reduction

By Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D.

Over a decade of controlled, scientific studies and analytical reviews shows that hypnotherapy, in conjunction with proper exercise and nutrition can enhance weight reduction and help keep the weight off longer. A review of studies in leading medical journals, from 1985 to 1998 offers compelling evidence that hypnotherapy is the added ingredient that helps people stay on track with weight control.

Here’s what the studies found:

  • Hypnotherapy is highly effective in weight reduction when used in conjunction with behavioral therapy.
  • Effective hypnotherapy programs generally consist of six to eight or more sessions of group and/or individual hypnotherapy.
  • Study participants who scored highest in hypnotizability had the most significant weight reduction results.
  • In studies comparing a control group to a hypnotherapy group, the group exposed to hypnotherapy lost more weight and kept the weight off longer.
  • Hypnotherapy helps people correct faulty thinking and associations around food and helps people get control over non-hunger related eating.
  • In a study comparing the effects of behavioral therapy to those of hypnotherapy, the results were the same at the end of the study. However, at 8-months and 2 year follow-ups, only the hypnotherapy group continued to lose weight.
  • Hypnotherapy can be administered either by a therapist, or via hypnosis tapes, or via self-hypnosis and all three methods proved effective.
  • When hypnotherapy is administered by a trained therapist, each session can be tailored to the specific needs of each individual.
  • Hypnotherapy can help people remember specific weight reduction goals and behavioral recommendations.
  • Unlike most programs that focus only on diet and exercise, Hypnotherapy might include suggestions for ego-strengthening, decision making, stress management, self-soothing, mental rehearsal, and enhanced motivation, all of which are essential to successful weight management.
  • When hypnotherapy is used for weight reduction the benefits increase over time.
  • Subjects in weight control programs with hypnotherapy lose twice as much weight as compared to subjects in weight control programs that do not include hypnotherapy.

References

Allison, D. B. and Faith, M.S. (1996). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytical appraisal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3) 513-516.

Andersen, M.S. (1985). Hypnotizability as a factor in the hypnotic treatment of obesity. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 33 (2), 150-159.
Barabasz, M. and Spiegel, D. (1989). Hypnotizability and weight loss in obese subjects. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 8, 335-341.

Bolocofsky, D.N., D. Spinler, and L. Coulthard-Morris (1985). Effectiveness of hypnosis as an adjunct to behavioral weight management. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41 (1), 35-41.

Cochrane, G. (1992). Hypnosis and Weight Reduction: Which is the cart and which is the horse?” American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 35 (2), 109-118.
Cochrane, G. and Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.

Coman, C. and Evans, B. (1995) Clinical update on eating disorders and obesity: implications for treatment with hypnosis. Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 23 (1), p. 1-13.

Farrington, G. (1985). Effects of self-hypnosis audiotapes on weight loss: relationship with ego-strength, motivation, anxiety, and locus of control. Dissertation Abstracts International: 46 (6B): 2048.

Greaves, E., Tidy, G., and Christie, R.A.S. (1995). Hypnotherapy and weight loss. Nutrition and Food Science, 95 (6).

Kirsch, I., Montgomery, G., and Sapirstein, G. (1995). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments—another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 214-220.

Schaumberg, et al (1995). Hypnosis as a clinical intervention for weight reduction and self-esteem improvement in young women. International Journal of Psychiatric Nursing Research, 1 (3) 99-107.

Stradling, J., Roberts, D., and Lovelock, F. (1998). Controlled trial of hypnotherapy for weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. International Journal of Obesity, 22, 278-281.

Vanderlinden, J. and W. Vandereycken. (1994). The (limited) possibilities of hypnotherapy in the treatment of obesity. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 36 (4), 248-257.



Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor, writer, and speaker with a counseling and coaching practice in Springfield, Virginia, specializing in hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Her web site is www.engagethepower.com. This article appears in Dr. Pearson’s book: The Weight, Hypnotherapy, and YOU Weight Reduction Program: An NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioners Manual.