Hypnosis as a method for reducing weight: Is it effective?
Harnessing the Power of Hypnosis for Weight Loss: A Mixed Bag of Evidence
Hypnosis, a process guided by specially trained clinicians, brings individuals into a highly focused and relaxed state of mind, potentially aiding in long-term weight loss and maintenance for some.
According to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), a person undergoing hypnosis is not under the control of the hypnotist but instead gains access to their innate abilities. This technique can help develop mental resilience and positive habits that support sustained weight management.
For instance, a 2020 study indicates that hypnosis may lead to weight loss and considerable changes in leptin levels in people with obesity. Furthermore, a 2021 review suggests that hypnosis may be a safe and effective adjuvant treatment for assisting weight loss.
However, comprehensive reviews and meta-analyses indicate that while some patients experience short-term benefits, the evidence for sustained weight loss at 6–12 months follow-up is lacking or inconclusive. Hypnosis is generally recommended as a complementary approach, combined with conventional treatments rather than a standalone or primary therapy for obesity.
Regular self-hypnosis users have shown to reduce their calorie intake more significantly and lose more weight than those who do not use this technique. For example, continuing hypnosis sessions may reinforce healthy mindsets supportive of sustained weight management.
The ASCH provides an online search tool to help people find a professional certified in hypnosis. It is advisable to consult a clinician for guidance on how to lose weight safely, and to use hypnosis alongside other weight loss strategies such as a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
It's important to note that hypnosis may not work for everyone, and it is not advisable for people with mental health complications such as psychosis or a personality disorder. Additionally, hypnosis may help lower the risk of several health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, stroke, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, and depression.
Weight loss tips may include a combination of dietary changes, exercise, and behavioral changes. Dietary changes may involve making more nutritious choices, such as eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables, choosing lean or lower fat sources of dairy and proteins, and avoiding highly processed foods. Exercise tips include aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week, and at least 300 minutes per week for weight loss or maintenance.
Behavioral changes may include taking at least 20 minutes to eat a meal, recording food intake in a food diary or app, practicing self-hypnosis, mindfulness, and meditation regularly, and using nonfood rewards to celebrate weight loss.
In conclusion, while hypnosis shows promise as a tool for weight loss and maintenance, more high-quality, long-term studies are needed to firmly establish its role in weight loss maintenance. It is recommended to approach hypnosis as a complementary approach, integrated with established evidence-based strategies for obesity management to maximize effectiveness.
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- Hypnosis, a technique often used in health-and-wellness and mental-health practices, may induce weight loss by promoting mental resilience and positive habits, such as reduced calorie intake.
- As a part of therapies-and-treatments for weight management, hypnosis could potentially lower the risk of various health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and type 2 diabetes.
- Though the evidence for sustained weight loss with hypnosis can be inconclusive, combining it with conventional treatments, a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and behavioral changes like self-hypnosis, mindfulness, and meditation could optimize weight loss results.
