In the past week I just read an interesting article regarding hypnosis and weight loss (it was either in the latest issue of Oprah's magazine or Shape - I think it was Shape) written by a doctor. I read it with interest because as some of you may recall, I have actually gone the hypnosis route about 10 or so years ago. It worked for me (up to a point) but I'm pretty sure it was because I WANTED it to work. But out of the 20 or so women who I saw at the hypnosis center, I was like the ONLY one who lost any measurable weight!
This will probably interest you, Christy - the article (which I'm going to have to dig up - I read it at the nail salon on Friday) stated that hypnosis seems to be FAR more successful for quitting smoking than it is for weight loss. (wish I had the article right in front of me...dang...) Personally I think that is pretty true, since I know at least two people who have used hypnosis to stop their ciggie habit and been pretty successful. But ya know...it's the old saying - you can quit tobacco and alcohol or drugs (etc) but you can't quit food cold turkey - you've gotta eat.
I did manage to find ONE article online that wasn't hawking some sort of hypnosis tape or product, on
Vanderbilt University's website.
Check this quote out from the above link:
Quote:
Most studies require weekly consultation with a hypnotist for 8 weeks or more in addition to self-hypnosis (Bolocofsky et al., 1984; Bolocofsky et al., 1985, Andersen, 1985; Cochrane & Friesen, 1986; McCabe et al., 1985). Internet advertisers who claim weight loss will occur following a single hypnotic session, especially a group hypnotic session, are frauds selling dreams to desperate customers. Allison and Faith (1996) underscore that "there is currently no panacea for the treatment of obesity and hypnosis is no exception". Treatment using hypnosis then is not a quick and easy way out of weight troubles. In order to achieve any benefits from its use, hypnosis must be practiced on a regular basis for a significant period of time.
(In my case, I went to a certified hypnotist 2x/week for 12 weeks; PLUS listened to one of several self-hypnosis tapes each morning just after waking up.)
Quote:
When combined with a behavioral weight management program, hypnosis has been shown to be an effective treatment for low to moderate amounts of weight loss. One qualification of this statement is that the hypnotic program should be tailored to each individual. Hypnosis is a process by which an individual enters a state of relaxation and heightened suggestibility, Transformation of the brain through some mysterious process defines only the hypnosis of pseudoscientists. Hypnosis should be considered a time intensive program requiring considerable effort. The only people who claim hypnosis is easy, simple, and quick are those trying to sell people on their program. The dearth of findings for men and studies with subjects matched on relevant characteristics limits the generalizability of the positive findings. The largest obstacle in weight loss is its long-term retention, but follow-ups of hypnosis as a weight loss treatment have been conducted at the longest after two years. Weight loss tapes lack scientific evidence to support their success and should be purchased with this knowledge in mind. Weight loss through hypnosis has been largely ignored by scientists and more studies with control groups and large subject pools are required to understand its action and import. Hypnosis should be considered beneficial for limited weight loss only when combined with another form of treatment.
Okay I JUST HAD to add this here...anyone else see the film "Office Space"??
Whenever I think of hypnotists I always think of Peter going to his girlfriend's hypnotherapist 'deeper and deeper...way down'...