Weight Loss Through Hypnosis :: Dieting Health Papers

Weight Loss Through Hypnosis Why weight loss through hypnosis? The escalation of obesity rates in this country has sparked a flurry of activity amongst both serious researchers and charlatans to discover the perfect weight loss method. Hypnosis represents one of the more appealing methods dangled before the eyes of those who are hungry for a seemingly easy solution to a complex problem. Unfortunately, hypnosis suffers from frequent misrepresentation by those with a penchant for profits who capitalize on the widespread ignorance regarding its mechanisms of action. A careful review of the scientific literatures exposes many of the claims about weight loss through hypnosis on the intemet as overly optimistic at best and openly fraudulent at worst. Who Wants To Sell You Hypnosis and Why? The material available on the world wide web about hypnosis as a weight loss method is distributed by people trying to sell videotapes, audiotapes, books, or seminars. Dr. Mchael Beaulieu, for example, asserts that his one hour hypnotherapy cassette which costs a mere $19.95 will "quickly erase old habits and establish new ones--INSTANTLY! (http://web.idirect.conVO/o7EIosefat/). The reader should automatically doubt this overzealous exclamation because intuitively one knows that weight loss cannot be instantaneous. Dr. Beaulieu talks about his appearance on the Sally Jesse Raphael show as if this credit somehow substantiates his claims. Similarly, the Clauser Hypnosis Clinic provides testimonials as evidence for weight loss, as much as 122 pounds after only one session (http://magic.mistic.net/hypnosis/). Although many of these apparent quacks claim to have worked at prestigious universities, the consumer must acknowledge that this fact cannot be easily verified and even if true does not guarantee credibility. A business known as Mind Works states that "you can think yourself thin" with hypnosis for $25.00 per session" (http://essexct.com/Mndworks/). Mind Works like other advertisers neglects to explain the process by which hypnosis will occur. Lisa Barnett gives a list of her credentials as a researcher in neurolinguistic progranuning and hypnosis who can reduce weight through her $39.95 hypnosis audiotape (http://www.dbcity.com/weightioss/). The old adage let the buyer beware rings true for claims being made that single sessions of hypnosis can bring about weight loss with no effort on the client's part. Hypnosis--The Natural Cure? Many of the advertisers on the intemet want you to believe that because hypnosis is natural, it cannot harm you and is a superior method of weight loss. Dr. Mike highlights the natural side of hypnosis since it does not involve drugs and Guarantees his clients will lose weight (http,://www.