Hypnosis for Weight Loss

Matt Damon. Ben Affleck. Ellen DeGeneres. These are just a few of the big names that have supposedly conquered their smoking habits through hypnosis. Celebrities like singers Lily Allen and Geri Halliwell have praised hypnosis as treatment for a different issue: weight loss. In late 2007 Allen was quoted as saying that attending sessions with hypnotist Susan Hepburn enabled her to drop from a U.K. size 12 to a size 8. But how does hypnosis work for those wanting to shed pounds?

In short, when you are under hypnosis you are experiencing an altered state of consciousness. While you are in this altered state, a trained hypnotist or hypnotherapist can provide you with thoughts and breathing techniques that can reinforce certain behaviors. During a session you are very relaxed and focused, allowing for you to be more responsive to incoming suggestions. Allen's hypnotist Hepburn reportedly treated the singer by getting her to associate working out with a feeling of happiness. The singer also claims that she was able to start craving healthy, organic foods over her usual fast food diet.

Sounds great, but is this really all you need to drop your pant's size?

Not exactly. There have been a limited number of credible studies done on the effects of hypnosis on sustainable weight loss. One such study was done in 1985 by M.S. Andersen. Conclusions of this experiment were that participants lost over 20 pounds after completing 20 weeks of a combination of weekly sessions and self-hypnosis. However there was no control group and researchers found the results questionable. Even if the results were legitimate--20 pounds over 20 weeks is only averaging one pound a week in loss. Some people would find it laughable to spend money on a treatment that only leads to such a minimal loss.

What has been established is that hypnosis can be beneficial as just one component in a complete weight loss program. If you are interested in giving hypnosis a try, here are some important tips to consider:

-Are you comfortable with the idea of being hypnotized? If you are uneasy or scared during the process, you won't be able to go under.

-Do your homework on anyone you're considering seeing for treatment. Reputable hypnotists should be able to prove their certification or training in hypnotic therapy. Some psychologists specialize in hypnosis.

-Discuss your goals with the hypnotist before you have your first session. This will ensure that the two of you have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish.

-Plan your sessions at a time during the week when you are not rushed. If you're anxious about how long your appointment will be or how many errands you have to make after, you're not letting yourself go through the process.

-After a few sessions, if you don't feel that you and the hypnotherapist are a good match, look elsewhere. Finding a hypnotist is just like finding a good doctor: you have to have a rapport and be able to communicate with each other effectively if you want to get anything out of it.

-If your instincts tell you that the hypnotist is unethical in anyway, immediately cease treatment and report him or her to any association he or she is accredited by.

Those expecting drastic changes only from meeting with a hypnotist will probably be losing more in the wallet than in the waist. Everyone knows that only through a healthy diet and physical exercise can long-term weight loss be maintained. Still, if you're open to it, you may want to consider hypnosis as a positive reinforcement or a compliment to your weight loss program.