Research Showing Hypnosis Works for Weight Loss

Hypnosis research can be controversial and sometimes contradictory. We believe that is because it is an art as much as a science and dependent on both the talent of the hypnotist and the hypnotizeability of the subject.
That’s why we test our clients and only accept those who display the ability to be good candidates.
For those who do – here are some of the numerous examples of peer-reviewed scientific studies that prove without a doubt that yes – hypnosis can and does work for weight loss.

Hypnosis Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight Loss

Investigated the effects of hypnosis in weight loss for 60 females, at least 20% overweight. Treatment included group hypnosis with metaphors for ego- strengthening, decision making and motivation, ideomotor exploration in individual hypnosis, and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions. Hypnosis was more effective than a control group 17lbs vs. 0.5 lbs on follow-up.
Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.
Hypnosis More Than Doubled Average Weight Loss

Study of the effect of adding hypnosis to cognitive- behavioral treatments for weight reduction, additional data were obtained from authors of 2 studies. Analyses indicated that the benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time.”

-Kirsch, Irving (1996).
Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments–Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.
Weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized

“Research into cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments established that weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized. It was also established that the benefits of hypnosis increase over time.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1996)

Hypnosis Showed Significantly Lower Post-Treatment Weights

Two studies compared overweight smoking and non-smoking adult women in an hypnosis-based, weight-loss program. Both achieved significant weight losses and decreases in Body Mass Index. Follow-up study replicated significant weight losses and declines in Body Mass Index. The overt aversion and hypnosis program yielded significantly lower post-treatment weights and a greater average number of pounds lost.

Weight loss for women: studies of smokers and nonsmokers using
hypnosis and multi-component treatments with and without overt aversion.
– Johnson DL
Psychology Reprints. 1997 Jun;80(3 Pt 1):931-3.

2 Years Later Hypnosis Subjects Continued To Lose Significant Weight

 
109 people completed a behavioral treatment for weight management either with or without the addition of hypnosis. At the end of the 9-week program, both interventions resulted in significant weight reduction. At 8-month and 2-year follow-ups, the hypnosis subjects were found to have continued to lose significant weight, while those in the behavioral-treatment-only group showed little further change.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985)

Hypnotherapy group with stress reduction achieved significantly more weight loss than the other two treatments.

“Randomised, controlled, parallel study of two forms of hypnotherapy (directed at stress reduction or energy intake reduction), vs dietary advice alone in 60 obese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea on nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment.”

– Journal of the
American Medical Association
July 24/31, 1996 – Volume 276.#4

Showed Hypnosis As An Effective Way To Lose Weight

A study of 60 females who were at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatment showed hypnosis is an effective way to lose weight.

-Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1986)

 

Hypnosis can more than double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches

… An analysis of five weight loss studies reported in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 showed that the ” … weight loss reported in the five studies indicates that hypnosis can more than double the effects” of traditional weight loss approaches.

University of Connecticut
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 (Vol. 64, No. 3, pgs 517-519)