Effectiveness Of Hypnosis For Weight Loss

You may think you would be happier, more successful or richer if you were thinner. Perhaps you want to lose weight to fit into the dress you wore 10 years ago. Maybe you are obese, with a Body Mass Index greater than 30, and your health depends on your losing weight. Obesity may be a factor in nearly 112,000 deaths per year in America, according to the American Heart Association. Hypnosis could help your weight-loss program.

Significance

You lose weight by eating fewer calories and exercising more. MedLine Plus advises you to eat smaller portions, drink water rather than sugary drinks and eat low-calorie foods. This simple advice can be hard to follow, so your weight-loss attempts may benefit from a psychological approach. Ronald Ruden, writing in Paul McKenna's "I Can Make you Thin," suggests that you may find it hard to control eating using willpower alone. Your brain may override your conscious efforts to eat less.

Function

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis describes hypnosis as "the ultimate act of self-control." It varies in its effectiveness according to your motivation, the competence of your hypnotherapist and your individual capacity to benefit. Your hypnotherapist may use mental imagery, suggestion or unconscious exploration to help you make use of your mind's potential. In a hypnotic trance, you focus your mind's power on changing your behavior.

Features

Hypnosis, a state of inner absorption, differs from sleep. Most people remember everything that happens in their trance. You stay in control of your actions, and your hypnotist cannot force you to act against your will. You need not reveal anything that you wish to keep secret. Your hypnotist offers suggestions that help you wake refreshed and happy after the session. Some hypnotists provide recorded information to help you practice between sessions.

Expert Insight

Your hypnotherapist may offer surprising suggestions. Sidney Rosen in "My Voice Will Go With You," explains that a small change in behavior can help break long-term patterns of unsuccessful dieting. Dieting for three weeks, gorging the next day, then returning to the diet helped a previously unsuccessful dieter who was accustomed to giving up after three weeks. A hypnotic trance may increase the impact of any suggestions the hypnotherapist makes that are compatible with your intentions.

Considerations

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis recommends you only use a licensed clinician to carry out treatment for psychological conditions. Some health professionals, including physicians and nurses, are licensed to offer hypnotic treatment. Brian Alman in his book, "Self-Hypnosis: The Complete Manual," indicates you can learn to use the principles of hypnosis yourself, making suggestions to your own unconscious to change your eating behavior.