Studies of Hypnosis for Weight Loss
 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.
Johnson DL, “Weight loss for women: studies
of smokers and nonsmokers using hypnosis and multi-component treatments with and without overt aversion”
Psychology Reprints. 1997 Jun;80(3 Pt 1):931-3
Hypnosis Clients Lost More Than 90% of Others & Kept it Off
18 studies compared cognitive behavioral
therapy, such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self-monitoring or goal setting with the same therapies
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.
Kirsch, Irving (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of
cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments- Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.
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.
Allison DB, Faith MS. Hypnosis as an adjunct
to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal. J Consult Clin Psychol.
1996;64(3):513-516.
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.
University of Connecticut Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 (Vol. 64,
No. 3, pgs 517-519)
Hypnosis "An Effective Way To Lose Weight"
One hundred and
nine 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.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985)
Hypnosis Is Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight
Loss
Study of 60 females who were at least 20%
overweight used group hypnosis with metaphors for ego-strengthening, decision making and motivation, ideo-motor
exploration and additional individual and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions. Hypnosis was more
effective than a control group (that received behavioral treatments and counseling
alone) .
17lbs vs. 0.5 lbs! On follow-up 2 years later, those who had
hypnosis continued to lose significant weight.
Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. “Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment” (1986), Journal of Consulting
and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.
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