Weight loss hypnosis Does it work? Mayo Clinic
Weight-loss hypnosis: Does it work? - Mayo Clinic
verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy LifestyleWeight loss
Products and servicesIs weight-loss hypnosis effective
Answer From Brent A. Bauer, M.D. Weight-loss hypnosis may help you shed an extra few pounds when it's part of a weight-loss plan that includes diet, exercise and counseling. But it's hard to say definitively because there isn't enough solid scientific evidence about weight-loss hypnosis alone. Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption and concentration, like being in a trance. Hypnosis is usually done with the help of a hypnotherapist using verbal repetition and mental images. When you're under hypnosis, your attention is highly focused, and you're more responsive to suggestions, including behavior changes that can help you lose weight. A few studies have evaluated the use of weight-loss hypnosis. Most studies showed only slight weight loss, with an average loss of about 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms) over 18 months. But the quality of some of these studies has been questioned, making it hard to determine the true effectiveness of weight-loss hypnosis. However, a recent study, which only showed modest weight loss results, did find that patients receiving hypnosis had lower rates of inflammation, better satiety and better quality of life. These might be mechanisms whereby hypnosis could influence weight. Further studies are needed to fully understand the potential role of hypnosis in weight management. Weight loss is usually best achieved with diet and exercise. If you've tried diet and exercise but are still struggling to meet your weight-loss goal, talk to your health care provider about other options or lifestyle changes that you can make. Relying on weight-loss hypnosis alone is unlikely to lead to significant weight loss, but using it as an adjunct to an overall lifestyle approach may be worth exploring for some people. With Brent A. Bauer, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe!Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Walking for weight loss ShareTweet Nov. 05, 2020 Show references Gelo OCG, et al. Hypnobehavioral and hypnoenergetic therapy in the treatment of obese women: A pragmatic randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 2014;62:260. Entwistle PA, et al. Unconscious agendas in the etiology of refractory obesity and the role of hypnosis in their identification and resolution: A new paradigm for weight-management programs or a paradigm revisited. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 2014;62:330. Hypnotherapy. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed June 27, 2018. Frequently asked questions about hypnosis. American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. https://www.asch.net/Public/GeneralInfoonHypnosis/FAQsAboutHypnosis.aspx. Accessed June 27, 2018. AskMayoExpert. Hypnotherapy. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018. Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 29, 2018. Rakel D, ed. An integrative approach to obesity. In: Integrative Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 27, 2018. Bo S, et al. Effects of self-conditioning techniques (self-hypnosis) in promoting weight loss in patients with severe obesity: A randomized controlled trial. Obesity. 2018;26:1422. Bauer BA. Mind-body techniques. In: Integrative Medicine. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2017. See more Expert AnswersProducts and Services
Mayo Clinic Healthy Living ProgramNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital EditionBook: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionBook: The Mayo Clinic DietBook: Live Younger LongerSee also
Calorie calculatorCarbohydratesCheck your weight-loss readinessCounting caloriesWeight-loss plateauHidradenitis suppurativa: Tips for weight-loss successBrown fatKeep the focus on your long-term visionLosing weight: 5 tips that workMaintain a healthy weight with psoriatic arthritisBMI and waist circumference calculatorWeight gain after menopauseMetabolism and weight lossMetabolism boost for weight loss?Foods for weight controlSolutions for weight-loss setbacksTwo types of goals for weight lossWeight-loss strategiesWeight Loss After Breast CancerWeight loss: Set a realistic goalWeight-loss readinessShow more related contentAdvertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad ChoicesMayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE bookOther Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058291 Healthy Lifestyle Weight loss Expert Answers Weight-loss hypnosis Does it workMayo Clinic Footer
Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This SiteLegal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage CookiesReprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.HON
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.