Hypnosis for Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?
- Robert Barnett C.Ht., CLC, PMP, MBA
Does hypnosis help people lose weight? Studies have shown that people who use hypnosis or self-hypnosis can experience significantly more weight loss than traditional methods alone.
Hypnosis for weight loss is becoming an increasingly popular option. But does it work? We explain the facts you need to know about how to lose weight with hypnosis in this guide.
If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’ve tried many methods and are looking for alternative weight loss ideas. Maybe you’ve tried every diet out there or spent hours at the gym with no results. So it’s understandable that you might consider hypnosis as an alternative weight-loss method.
But does hypnosis for weight loss work? In this article, we’ll investigate scientific studies to find out. Read on to learn more about how hypnosis for weight loss works and how effective it might be for you.
Before we dive into losing weight with hypnosis, let’s first learn what hypnosis is.
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility. In other words, you’re more likely to accept suggestions in hypnosis.
Hypnosis is often associated with stage hypnosis shows, where the hypnotist seemingly controls people. But in reality, hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation.
People under hypnosis are not unconscious. They can still move and talk. They’re just in a state of deep relaxation and focus.
When under hypnosis, people are more likely to accept suggestions. That’s why hypnosis can be effective as a tool for change.
Now that we know what hypnosis is, let’s look at how it works.
The premise is that hypnosis can help people tap into their subconscious minds. The subconscious mind is where our habits and beliefs are stored.
So, we can change our habits and beliefs by using hypnosis to access the subconscious mind. That, in turn, can lead to changes in our behavior.
Change your belief, and you can change your habits.
Hypnosis can accomplish two things: first, it can help eliminate any negative beliefs or patterns stored in your subconscious mind. Second, hypnosis can help plant new, positive thoughts to help you reach your goals.
When you change your subconscious beliefs, you can change your behavior. And that’s where hypnosis for weight loss comes in.
The thinking behind hypnosis for weight loss is that if you change your subconscious beliefs about food, eating, and your body, you can change your behavior.
And hypnosis is one way to change your subconscious beliefs.
Let’s consider some beliefs we might uncover during a session:
- Food is my only emotional comfort
- I don’t deserve to be happy and healthy
- My weight keeps me safe from unwanted sexual attention
- I am afraid I will fail
- I don’t deserve success
- I’m not capable of making good decisions
- I’m worried I won’t live up to expectations or comparisons
- I am not good enough to lose weight
- My weight makes me feel “big” and confident
The list goes on and on. Do you see any of your own untrue beliefs in there? These are just a few examples, but you can see how these beliefs might keep you from losing weight.
Once we uncover these negative beliefs, we can start to work on changing them.
We go into the subconscious mind and get to the root of it. Hypnosis can help you change your life if you dare to rise to the challenge.
Now that we know how hypnosis works let’s consider some scientific studies to see how effective it can be for weight loss.
In 2021, the Journal of Integrative Medicine published a narrative study regarding the efficacy of hypnosis for weight loss. The paper gathered data from 137 scientific articles and chose seven that fit their criteria. The seven studies worked with a total of 539 respondents.
The researchers found that hypnotherapy showed some promise for weight loss as an adjunct to other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, diet, and exercise. However, they reasoned that hypnosis could benefit from further study as a standalone treatment.
So, does hypnosis for weight loss work? The answer is yes – hypnosis can be an effective tool for weight loss. While hypnosis may not be a magic bullet for weight loss, it can be helpful when combined with other treatments.
A qualified hypnotherapist can help uncover negative beliefs about food, eating, and your body. Once you’ve discovered these negative beliefs, you can start to work on changing them.
Hypnosis is a safe and natural treatment with no known side effects. However, as with any treatment, there are always potential complications.
If you wish to lose more than 50 pounds, your hypnotherapist may require a written note from your doctor. If you have concerns about hypnosis for weight loss, talk to your doctor or qualified hypnotherapist before trying it.
And as a general rule, people with illnesses that cause confusion about reality (psychosis) or who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol should not be hypnotized.
Another potential risk is that the hypnotherapist may inadvertently give the client a thoughtless or leading suggestion. Finding a hypnotherapist you trust and feel comfortable with is essential.
A final potential outcome is that the hypnotherapist may not be able to help the client change their negative beliefs about food, eating, and their body. If that is the case, they should refer you to another type of therapist who can help you with those issues.
Hypnosis for weight loss can help uncover negative beliefs about food, eating, and your body. Once you’ve found these negative beliefs, you can start working on replacing them with more realistic, positive ones.
For example, suppose you believe you’re powerless to control your eating. In that case, you can start to work on changing that belief to something like, “I can control my eating by making healthy choices.”
Suppose you have negative beliefs about your body. In that case, you can start to work on changing those beliefs to something more positive, such as, “My body is capable of losing weight and keeping it off.”
Hypnosis can also help you develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and emotional eating. If you’re struggling to stick to a diet or exercise plan, hypnosis can help you create the motivation you need to stick with it.
Hypnosis can also help you overcome any blocks you have about making healthy changes. For example, suppose you’re afraid of failure. In that case, hypnosis can help you overcome that fear and give you the confidence you need to succeed.
Book a hypnosis session here at High-Performance Hypnotherapy when you’re ready. Our proven method has positive results with people around the world. Schedule a free consultation online to learn more and get a quote. We’re here to help you make hypnosis work for you!
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Seminar on managing anxiety blending hypnosis, NLP, CBT etc... |
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How to identify clear opportunities and establish goals. |
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Techniques to properly build a structure to your success. |
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Lifelong tools and methods to overcome fears, anxieties, habits. |
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Coaching techniques and tools.
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