More than a decade of controlled scientific studies and analytical reviews show that hypnotherapy, in conjunction with proper exercise and nutrition, can enhance weight reduction and help keep the weight off longer. A review of studies published in leading medical journals between 1985 and 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 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 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 helped people correct faulty thinking and associations around food and helped them get control over non-hunger-related eating.

• In a study comparing behavioral therapy to hypnotherapy, both groups of participants showed the same results at the end of the study. At follow-ups at eight months and again at two years, however, only the hypnotherapy group continued to lose weight.

• Hypnotherapy helped study participants remember specific weight reduction goals and behavioral recommendations.

• Unlike most programs, which 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 helpful in successful weight management.

Allison, D. B., and M. S. Faith. 1996. Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: Ameta-analytical appraisal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 64 (3): 513–16.

Andersen, M. S. 1985. Hypnotizability as a factor in the hypnotic treatment of obesity. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 33 (2): 150–59.

Barabasz, M., and D. Spiegel. 1989. Hypnotizability and weight loss in obese subjects. The International Journal of Eating Disorders 8: 335–41.

Bolocofsky, D. N., D. Spinier, 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): 109–18.

Cochrane, G., and J. Friesen. 1986. Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 54: 489–92.

Coman, C., and B. Evans. 1995. Clinical update on eating disorders and obesity: Implications for treatment with hypnosis. Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 23 (1): 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., G. Tidy, and R. A. S. Christie. 1995. Hypnotherapy and weight loss. Nutrition and Food Science 95 (6).

Kirsch, I., G. Montgomery, and G. Sapirstein. 1995. Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitivebehavioral weight loss treatments—Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 63: 214–20.

Schaumberg, L. L., C. A. Patsdaughter, F. K. Selder, and L. Napholz. 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., D. Roberts, and F. Lovelock. 1998. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy for weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. International Journal of Obesity 22: 278–81.

Vanderlinden, J., and W. Vandereycken. 1994. The (limited) possibilities of hypnotherapy in the treatment of obesity. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 36 (4): 248–57.

Back