Lose Weight with Hypnosis: Can It Really Work?
What Is Hypnosis? Hypnosis is a relaxed, almost sleepy state that lets your brain enter a different level of awareness. In this state, your mind becomes more open to suggestions and new ways of thinking. Hypnosis is used to improve self-confidence, reduce stress, manage pain—and yes, even help with weight loss.
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| Lose Weight with Hypnosis: Can It Really Work? |
How Can Hypnosis Help with Weight Loss?
According to Dr. Jean-Marc Benhaiem, a medical hypnotherapist, hypnosis can help change your eating behavior. For example:
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If someone sees sweets as a reward, they’ll feel deprived without them. Hypnosis can help change that belief.
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If someone finds vegetables boring or sees alcohol as fun, hypnosis can help shift that mindset.
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It can also help people stop overeating to “show they’re healthy.”
In short, hypnosis helps you retrain your brain to make better food choices without feeling like you're being punished.
What Happens in a Hypnosis Session for Weight Loss?
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Initial Assessment:
The first 1–2 sessions help find out if the person is open to hypnosis. Not everyone is ready to change—some people may lack support or feel too attached to their current habits. -
Small Group Sessions:
Once ready, the person joins a small group (2 to 4 people) to discuss eating problems and share experiences. -
Hypnosis Begins:
The hypnotherapist uses what was said in the group sessions to guide personalized suggestions during hypnosis.
How Successful Is This Method?
Changing eating habits is hard, especially with pressure from ads, family, and society. Here's what typically happens:
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✅ 20% lose weight and keep it off.
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🤷 20% manage okay, depending on their environment.
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❌ The rest struggle to change.
In fact, it's often easier to quit smoking than to lose weight—because food is everywhere and tied to emotions.
Imagine if candy wrappers said: “Warning: May cause obesity and high cholesterol.”
Self-Image and Eating Habits: A Key Link
Hypnosis also helps people with their body image. Whether someone is overweight, underweight, or dealing with emotional eating, the key is learning to respect and care for their body.
Dr. Benhaiem says:
“You don’t have to love your fat—but you do have to love your body. You can only change if you first make peace with yourself.”
Is Hypnosis Helpful for Anorexia and Bulimia?
These eating disorders are tough to treat because they often involve deep emotional and family issues.
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If the problem is new, hypnosis can help.
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If the problem is long-term or life-threatening, full medical care (including hospitalization) is needed.
Who Can Use Medical Hypnosis?
Medical hypnosis can help with many problems, such as:
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Food addictions
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Smoking or alcohol habits
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Chronic pain or migraines
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Depression, stress, and phobias
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Low confidence (even in children and students before exams)
Each hypnotherapist has their own specialty based on training and experience.
