Does hypnosis actually work? Thousands of peer-reviewed studies say yes.

In this video I walk through what the science has established — where hypnosis happens in the brain, and what clinical trials have shown across pain, weight, smoking cessation, anxiety and more.

Below the video are direct links to some of the most significant studies, each with a plain-language summary of what it found. These are the actual peer-reviewed sources, not summaries of summaries. If you want to evaluate the evidence for yourself, start here.

The Effectiveness of Hypnosis as an Intervention for Obesity

What You Need to Know:

Various research studies were combined specifically tracking long term efficacy of hypnosis for weight loss.
“The average participant receiving some form of hypnosis lost more weight than about 94% of control participants at the end of treatment and about 81% of controls at follow-up.”
Researched confirmed hypnosis as “a promising treatment option for obesity” based on their study.

Hypnosis for the Management of Anticipatory Nausea and Vomiting

What You Need to Know:

Cancer patients found relief of fears and physical symptoms through hypnotic suggestion.
Client-directed posthypnotic suggestion proved to have long-term efficacy well after live sessions were performed.
This study helps to establish the appropriate positioning of hypnosis as in integrative part of medical care. Rather than a potentially dangerous claim to cure a disease, it demonstrated how a hypnotist may support someone already seeking appropriate medical care.

Freedom from Smoking

What You Need to Know:

A rapid approach was tested through hypnosis rather than an extended multiple session program.
Of the 43 people hypnotized to quit smoking, 39 remained free of hypnosis at the conclusion of the study.
While many people who try to stop smoking on their own crash and backslide after a week or two, 90.7% of those who were hypnotized were still smoke-free during checkpoints ranging from six months to three years later.

Guided Health Imagery

What You Need to Know:

An extensive blind study was performed in which 71 people were given the task to quit smoking. 38 were hypnotized to quit, and 33 were in the control group.
All of the participants received educational coaching to assist in their stop smoking, while the hypnosis group practiced hypnotic imagery to support their goal.
After a two-year period, the hypnosis group was twice as likely to have remained free of cigarettes, and hypnosis was proven to be “an effective intervention for long-term smoking cessation and abstinence in adult smokers.”

Hypnotic Enhancement of Cognitive-Behavioral Weight Loss Treatments

What You Need to Know:

A meta-analysis was performed of existing studies of hypnosis vs. control groups measuring total average weight loss.
In the combined studies, participants in the control groups lost on average 6.00 lbs, while the hypnotized participants lost around 11.83lbs.
Research suggests a person may lose twice as much weight by using hypnotism as a motivational resource versus the results of attempting weight loss on their own.

Using Hypnosis to Increase Self-Confidence, Focus and Skills in Sports

What You Need to Know:

Hypnosis was found to significantly improve concentration, confidence, and emotional control among athletes.
The results showed a significant improvement in volleyball playing skills after hypnosis training, indicating its potential application in athlete coaching.
Research suggests in other studies that hypnosis can enhance an athletes capabilities and reduce pre game anxiety.

Deborah McKenna, CH Author | Hypnotist | Life Coach Serving In-person in Peoria, Illinois and online

Results may vary from person to person. We guarantee the very best service using current information and appropriate techniques for your situation. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not meant to diagnose or treat any disease, but rather it is intended to provide information, education, and motivation that will help you live to your best potential and guide you toward being more effective in helping yourself.

© Copyright Deborah McKenna. All Rights Reserved. Design by WEBPAGES FOR THERAPIST