Hypnosis Defined
Hypnosis is altering someone’s belief or reality through suggestion, characterized by heightened susceptibility to suggestion. It is important to understand that the hypnotic trance state is something we all experience naturally.
For example, if you have ever been daydreaming in the car and forgot the light changed or missed your exit, that is a form of hypnosis. Or maybe you have been reading a book and couldn’t recall a single word from the past couple of pages because your mind was somewhere else, that is also hypnosis.
By achieving this state of mind on purpose we can very effectively add positive behavior changes, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, building confidence, etc. It is used by many to relax and de-stress, as well.
Our Subconscious Mind
Our subconscious mind and its beliefs control our lives. These beliefs determine if we will be happy or sad, healthy or unhealthy, and successful or not. Why not take active control of this powerful resource and stop “drifting” through life?
Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Techniques
Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Techniques are probably the best methods of eliminating those old, unwanted, negative beliefs, emotions and habits. Doing so will allow you to live the rich and rewarding life you have always wanted.
We offer a unique blend of Hypnotherapy and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). The synergy created by combining these two modalities is nothing short of miraculous and must be experienced to be appreciated.
Hypnosis and the Subconscious Mind
Easy to get motivated (conscious mind); it is hard to stay motivated (why we need to use the subconscious mind). Our conscious mind is only 10% of our brain function while our subconscious brain is 90% of our brain function. Hypnosis helps us tap into the subconscious and train it the way we want to because it wins every time.
Brainwave Patterns
By measuring the electrical activity of the brain, we place brainwave patterns
in four classes:
- Beta – waking consciousness (13 – 30Hz)
- Alpha – daydreaming (8 – 12 Hz)
- Theta – lucid dreaming (4 – 7 Hz)
- Delta – deep sleep (up to 3Hz)
Hypnotic trance states occur when we are in Alpha or Theta. In laymen’s terms, when we slow down the activity of the brain, we can allow our subconscious to focus on the suggestions; some argue that we can bypass the “critical factor” between the conscious and subconscious minds – this critical factor is the “doorman” between the conscious and subconscious, which accepts or rejects suggestions to the subconscious, which controls our habits
Studies Prove Effectiveness of Hypnosis
Here is a brief review of some of the research evidence on the effectiveness of hypnosis for weight loss:
Hypnosis Most Effective Says Largest Study Ever: 3 Times as Effective as Patch and 15 Times as Effective as Willpower.
Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit. A meta-analysis statistically combines results of more than 600 studies of 72,000 people from America and Europe to compare various methods of quitting.
On average, hypnosis was over three times as effective as nicotine replacement methods and 15 times as effective as trying to quit alone.
University of Iowa, Journal of Applied Psychology, How One in Five Give Up Smoking. October 1992.
(Also New Scientist, October 10, 1992.)
Hypnosis Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight Loss
Investigated the effects of hypnosis in weight loss for 60 females, at least 20% overweight. Treatment included group hypnosis with metaphors for ego-strengthening, decision making and motivation, ideomotor exploration in individual hypnosis, and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions.
Hypnosis was more effective than the control group: an average of 17 lbs lost by the hypnosis group vs. an average of 0.5 lbs lost by the control group, on follow-up.
Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.
Two Years Later: Hypnosis Subjects Continued To Lose Significant Weight
109 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 Subjects Lost More Weight Than 90% of Others and Kept it Off
Researchers analyzed 18 studies comparing a cognitive behavioral therapy such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self-monitoring, or goal setting with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis.
Those who received the hypnosis lost more weight than 90 percent of those not receiving hypnosis and maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended.
University of Connecticut, Storrs 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 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 two studies. Analyses indicated that the benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time.
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 Showed Significantly Lower Post-Treatment Weights
Two studies compared overweight smoking and non-smoking adult women in a hypnosis-based, weight-loss program. Both achieved significant weight losses and decreases in Body Mass Index.
A 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.
Weight loss for women: studies of smokers and nonsmokers using hypnosis and multi-component treatments with and without overt aversion. Johnson DL, Psychology Reprints. 1997 Jun;80(3 Pt 1):931-3.
Hypnotherapy group with stress reduction achieved significantly more weight loss than the other two treatments.
A randomized, controlled, parallel study of two forms of hypnotherapy (directed at stress reduction or energy intake reduction), vs dietary advice alone in 60 obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea on nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment.
J Stradling, D Roberts, A Wilson and F Lovelock, Chest Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK
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).
Weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized
Research into cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments established that weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized. It was also established that the benefits of hypnosis increase over time.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1996)
Showed Hypnosis As “An Effective Way To Lose Weight”
A study of 60 females who were at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatments showed hypnosis is an effective way to lose weight.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1986)