# Tell me about this "lose weight by hypnosis!" deal -OR- You are getting sleepy... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2002, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-lose-weight-by-hypnosis-deal-or-you-are-getting-sleepy/113710 "2002-06-12T20:14:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stargazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-lose-weight-by-hypnosis-deal-or-you-are-getting-sleepy/113710/1 "2002-06-12T20:14:43Z")
So I got a brochure in the weekly coupon mailer that’s telling me I can lose weight just by going to this seminar and, I presume, getting hypnotized. And it’s really tempting, but it also seems too easy. And my jury’s still out on the whole hypnosis thing. So my question is: has anyone tried this (or something like it)? Does hypnosis work? What can you tell me about hypnosis in general? I’m pretty skeptical, but it’s awfully appealing… ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-lose-weight-by-hypnosis-deal-or-you-are-getting-sleepy/113710/2 "2002-06-12T21:33:46Z")
Abattoir: slaughterhouse. “The cow was slaughtered in the abattoir.” Hmm…must have been sent the wrong tape. ---
**Author:** ![seawitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@seawitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seawitch)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-lose-weight-by-hypnosis-deal-or-you-are-getting-sleepy/113710/3 "2002-06-12T21:37:33Z")
I tried hypnosis for weight loss several years back. It didn’t do a damn thing. As far as I can tell, the only actual successful weight loss program is to eat less and get off your butt more. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-lose-weight-by-hypnosis-deal-or-you-are-getting-sleepy/113710/4 "2002-06-12T21:45:59Z")
I’ve posted to a half-dozen hypnosis threads in GQ. Basically, hypnosis is a relaxation method. It works with varying degrees of effectiveness, the variables being your willingness to be hypnotized and your natural suggestibility. Hypnosis is not a good way to do anything else other than relax-- I have not seen studies myself, but I understand that hypnosis is quite unreliable at getting people to stop smoking, or be more confident, or lose weight. As **seawitch** said, your best bet is to start eating right and exercising. When it comes to weight loss, I think you can safely apply that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” saying. ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-lose-weight-by-hypnosis-deal-or-you-are-getting-sleepy/113710/5 "2002-06-12T23:53:59Z")
My Aunt tried everything to quit smoking & I mean +5 years and probably +$1,000. Hypnosis worked where nothing else had. She is 7 years “clean” now. She always talked a good game, but maybe she was finally ready and Hypnosis was offered at the right/place time? That is what the Behavioral therapist (yes she went that far) told her would happen. I dunno … I know she tried it and never smoked again. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-lose-weight-by-hypnosis-deal-or-you-are-getting-sleepy/113710/6 "2002-06-13T00:41:27Z")
Guy who took a couple courses in hypnosis here… Hypnosis therapy is, essentially, behaviour modification. Do you want to lose weight? The hypnosis can help you reinforce that wanting. The caveat is you must trust your hypnotist/therapist. I would check out the credentials of the hypnotist. There is no regulation regarding who is allowed to call themselves a hypnotist, and some are much better than others.