Hypnosis for Weight Management
HYPNODIET Study on Hypnosis, Self-Hypnosis, and Obesity
What was the study's purpose?
Researchers wanted to find out whether Ericksonian hypnosis and self-hypnosis could help people with obesity who struggle with uncontrolled eating urges (called "disinhibition") more than nutrition education alone.
Reference: "Hypnosis reduces food impulsivity in patients with obesity and high levels of disinhibition: HYPNODIET randomized controlled clinical trial", published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2022.
Who participated?
82 adults with obesity (BMI 30-40)
All had high levels of food impulsivity and overeating tendencies
Participants were randomly assigned to:
A hypnosis + nutrition education group
A nutrition education only group
What did the hypnosis program include?
Participants in the hypnosis group received:
8 nutrition workshops
8 hypnosis sessions
Main Results After 8 Months
1. Much Less Impulsive Eating
The hypnosis group had a significantly greater reduction in uncontrolled eating urges.
Average improvement was much greater than the control group. 67.7% of people in the hypnosis group reached a normal level of eating control. Only 11.1% of the nutrition-only group achieved the same result.
This was the study's strongest finding.
2. Reduced Hunger Responses
People who used hypnosis reported:
Reduced hunger overall
Reduced emotional eating
Reduced reaction to tempting food cues
Rediced ability to manage both internal and external hunger signalsals
The researchers concluded that hypnosis appeared to improve control over the psychological triggers for overeating.
3. Weight Loss Benefits
The hypnosis group showed:
A trend toward greater weight loss (about 1.8 kg more), and a significantly lower BMI after 8 months. While weight loss was not the primary goal of the study, the results suggested hypnosis may support weight management.
What Did the Researchers Conclude?
The authors concluded that:
Hypnosis and self-hypnosis can significantly improve disinhibition of eating and may support weight loss in adults with obesity.
They suggested hypnosis helps people change the deeper psychological mechanisms that drive overeating rather than relying solely on willpower.
What Are the Limitations?
The researchers noted that:
The study was not blinded.
The hypnosis group received more contact time with therapists.
Most participants were women.
People with significant mental health disorders were excluded.
The study measured changes in eating behavior, not weight loss alone.
Because of these limitations, more research is needed.
Bottom Line
This well-designed randomized controlled trial found that hypnosis combined with self-hypnosis training helped people with obesity gain substantially better control over impulsive eating and hunger triggers than nutrition education alone. The study also showed signs of improved weight loss, although larger long-term studies are needed to confirm those effects.
References
Delestre F, Lehéricey G, Estellat C, et al. Hypnosis reduces food impulsivity in patients with obesity and high levels of disinhibition: HYPNODIET randomized controlled clinical trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2022;115(6):1637-1645.
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