SCIENTIFIC STUDIES THAT DOCUMENT THE POWER OF HYPNOSIS FOR WEIGHT LOSS:

    In a meta- analysis (that’s a study where multiple studies are evaluated), hypnosis was added to cognitive-behavioral treatments for weight reduction.  At the final weight loss assessment, the hypnosis group experienced 146.76% more weight loss than did the non-hypnosis groups.  A statistical study called correlational analysis showed that the benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 64(3), Jun 1996, 517-519.

Parathesis, bolding, and underling were added by this website for clarification and emphasis.

MORE SCIENTIFIC PROOF:

   In a 9-week study of two weight management groups (one using hypnosis and one not using hypnosis), the hypnosis group continued to get results in the two-year follow-up, while the non-hypnosis group showed no further results (Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1985).

Bolding and underlining added by this web site.                        

EVEN MORE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH:

    339 patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid neck surgery, were divided into two groups. One group had hypnosis and an intravenous medication that kept them conscious while the other group was given general anesthesia. The hypnosis group had less pain, used fewer pain medications, and had shorter hospital stays.

   In a similar study of 241 patients who underwent invasive medical procedures, those who received pre-surgical instruction in self-hypnosis had less pain and anxiety than those who did not receive self-hypnosis instruction.

   In summary, a year 2000 review of published articles in the field of hypnosis concluded that "the research to date generally substantiates the claim that hypnotic procedures can ameliorate many psychological and medical conditions."  1 Montgomery, G.H., DuHamel, K.N., and Redd, W.N. (2000). A meta-analysis of hypnotic analgesia: How effective is hypnosis?

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 48, 138-153

MORE RESEARCH:

  Hypnosis significantly improved the immune response of research participants given hypnotic suggestions. 

   Twenty hypnotizable subjects, ages 22-85, significantly (p<.05) increased the in vitro proliferative responsiveness of their lymphocytes to pokeweed mitogen (which stimulates both T- and B-cells) when given the suggestion under trance that their white blood cells were like "powerful sharks" destroying "weak germs."  Hall HR. Hypnosis and the immune system: A review with implications for cancer and the psychology of healing. Am J Clin Hypn. 1982 Oct-1983 Jan; 25(2/3):92-103.
 
   Organized medicine has left a 150-year trail of inability to apply the recorded incredible success of James Esdaile, a Scottish surgeon (1808-1859) who applied hypnotherapy to his surgical subjects.

   The common 15%-20% mortality of the time due to postoperative infections was reduced in his hands to about five percent, so striking as to make him the envy of the surgical profession who denigrated his results and failed to employ his methods.

    This study may explain why Esdaile achieved his outstanding reduction in postoperative mortality. By whatever mechanism, the immune system can respond to the suggestion of better function, particularly when given in the alpha brain-wave state of relaxation. (Which is what hypnosis is designed to induce.) -note: words in parenthesis added by this web site.