Healing and Hypnotherapy Volume 4 Issue - 6, 1 December 2019 | Page 8

Over the years Hypnotherapy has come to be recognised as one of the most
effective means of behavioural and habit control known to man, particularly
in the area of weight loss. But don’t just take the word of those who have a
vested interest in it, i.e. Hypnotherapy Weight Loss practitioners. Let’s take a
look at just a smattering of the studies that have been conducted and
published on its effectiveness.
For instance, a 1985 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology
worked with 109 subjects between the ages of 17-67 for a 9-week duration.
One group made diet changes and started exercising; the other did the
same but also received hypnotherapy. Both groups showed significant
weight reduction. However, follow-ups after 8 months and 2 years showed
that the hypnosis group had maintained or increased weight loss – the
other group had gained most of the weight back.
Another similar 1986 study published in the Journal of Consulting and
Clinical Psychology, worked with 60 women between the ages of 20-65
coming from different family, education and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Once again, subjects were divided into a hypnosis group and a non-
hypnosis one. After the 6-month study duration, the hypnosis group shed
an average of 17 pounds while the non-hypnosis subjects’ weight loss
averaged only ½ pound.
  A 1996 meta-analysis, also published in the Journal of Consulting and
Clinical Psychology, studied the effect of adding hypnosis for weight
reduction. The study confirmed that the average weight loss in the short
term for people without hypnosis was at 6 pounds and for those with
hypnosis at 11.83 pounds. A whopping 100% (almost) increase in
effectiveness! Even more compelling, long term results for the non-
hypnosis group stayed at the same 6 pounds but changed to 14.88 pounds
for those using hypnotherapy, showing that hypnosis continues to have a
positive effect over time.