The need to find new techniques of treating obesity has become an important issue owing to the increasing cases of the condition and the failure of some treatment methods. Hypnosis is currently being evaluated as an adjunctive therapy for inducing weight loss. Despite its limitations, several research findings indicate that the therapy is an effective tool for weight loss. Studies have used various hypnotic techniques, and these include programs with dieting rules during the hypnotic induction sessions; the use of audiotapes following a hypnotic treatment; the use of both hypnotic and behavioral therapies for a given period; as well as multifaceted programs with different suggestions for self-esteem, motivation for change, relaxation, and self-control. Some of these techniques are demanding and take much time, which may make it difficult to be performed in clinical settings for many patients. However, the success of these treatment techniques show that different hypnotic suggestions can be used to encourage healthful behaviors among patients with obesity, including healthy eating habits to help them lose weight.
In a study conducted by Bo et al, (2018), the researchers examined whether self-conditioning techniques (self-hypnosis) could be used together with different lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and diet to induce weight loss, change metabolic and inflammatory factors, and to improve quality of life among patients diagnosed with severe obesity. The study compared the efficacy of self-hypnosis and the traditional lifestyle practices in producing these changes in this category of patients. Each participant in the hypnosis group was taken through three different hypnosis sessions administered by qualified personnel. Self-hypnosis was administered together with various life style habit programs such as proper diet. Different hypnotic suggestions were administered to help the patients believe in themselves and embrace healthful habits. The results revealed that there was a significant improvement in satiety score and quality of life. Moreover, those who made self-hypnosis a habitual practice had greater weight loss and reduced energy intakes. This shows that when hypnosis is combined with behavioral approaches it can lead to greater gains in weight loss as those who practice hypnosis regularly are likely to benefit more from such programs.
Milling, Gover & Moriarty (2018) examined whether hypnosis is an effective intervention for individuals leaving with obesity, especially when it includes training in self-hypnosis. The researchers conducted two meta-analytic studies where the first one reviewed researches that compared the efficacy of hypnosis with other mechanisms in treating hypnosis, while the second one reviewed studies where cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for obesity was compared with hypnosis when combined with the same intervention. The researchers found that incorporating training in self-hypnosis enhances the efficacy of hypnosis as an intervention for obesity. Moreover, the studies also indicated that adding hypnosis to CBT increases the benefits of CBT when used for obesity. Most of the studies found that hypnosis is an effective intervention that can help obesity patients lose weight within a short period of time.
Thus, these studies show that hypnosis can be combined with behavioral interventions to help patients living with diabetes lose weight and enjoy good quality of life. Self-hypnosis can be used together with healthy lifestyle habits to induce weight loss and increase individuals’ quality of life. The effectiveness of hypnotherapy can be enhanced when used together with behavioral techniques such as CBT since the main aim is to influence an individual’s behaviors and perceptions regarding healthy living.
References
Bo, S., Rahimi, F., Goitre, I., Properzi, B., Ponzo, V., Regaldo, G., … & Mengozzi, G. (2018). Effects of Self‐Conditioning Techniques (Self‐Hypnosis) in Promoting Weight Loss in Patients with Severe Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obesity, 26(9), 1422-1429.
Milling, L. S., Gover, M. C., & Moriarty, C. L. (2018). The effectiveness of hypnosis as an intervention for obesity: A meta-analytic review. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 5(1), 29.
Melvin S. Marsh is a certified hypnotherapist serving Atlanta GA, Augusta GA, Statesboro GA, and Savannah GA. He performs hypnotherapy appointments both in person and worldwide virtually. He can be reached at www.afterhourshypnotherapy.com .
