Case Studies - The Use of Hypnosis For Weight Loss

Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment: 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. Hypnosis Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight Loss. Reference: Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. (1986). -Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.

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. Reference: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985)

Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal : Hypnosis Subjects Lost More Weight Than 90% of Others and Kept it Off - Researchers analyzed 18 studies comparing a cognitive behavioral therapy, such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self monitoring or goal setting with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis. Those who received the hypnosis lost more weight than 90 percent of the non hypnosis, and maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended. Reference: University of Connecticut, Storrs - Allison DB, Faith MS. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996;64(3):513-516.

Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments--Another meta-reanalysis: 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. Reference: Kirsch, Irving (1996). - Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.

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

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

Study 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. Reference: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1986)