With over 34% of all Americans currently considered overweight or obese, every reasonable weight loss method should be explored. A method that is drug-free and can be quite helpful is the use of weight loss hypnosis. The use of hypnosis for weight loss has been proven to work for many and can be used in a variety of ways. Hypnosis has become mainstream in medicine for behavior modification as well as for pain control and is no longer considered a parlor trick.

As with any health care issue, take caution if you plan to pursue weight loss hypnosis because even the most legitimate of appearances in programs can be covering poor research or out and out fictitious claims. Hypnosis can be most effective when pursuing a comprehensive program of diet, exercise, and behavior modification.

In order to understand its role in weight control, it helps to understand what hypnosis really is in the first place. Although hypnosis has been in widespread use since 1770 by Franz Mesmer, and likely goes back much further than that, weight loss hypnosis is a relatively new practice. It is likely that the magnetic healing and "sleep healing" performed by Paracelsus worked mainly though hypnotic suggestion, rather than through incantations, chants, or the action of waving stones over the body, which would induce hypnotic trances in the subject.

The mesmeric trance, so called after Mesmer, and also known as 'animal magnetism', was the original name of the trance state, between waking and sleeping, that put one in a state of suggestibility. The title 'hypnotism' was not applied to it until thus named by a Scottish surgeon by the name of James Braid in 1843. Braid used small, shiny objects, such as the pocket watch, to gather focus and induce the state in his subjects. The AMA affirmed the value of hypnosis for several clinical purposes in 1958.

The use of hypnosis in weight loss is focused on the reinforcement of the desire that already exists in the patient to lose weight and be healthy, while actively suppressing appetite and focusing on success. For some patients there is a need to have a negative association attached to foods that a patient has a particular weakness for. As with any weight loss program that is successful, weight loss hypnosis must also include both a diet and exercise plan. Hypnosis, by increasing compliance with these plans, can actually increase the likelihood of successfully shedding and keeping off those pounds.

One scam to avoid is the hypnotist who promises miracle weight loss and a permanent cure with just one session. Legitimate, certified hypnotherapists seem to agree that ongoing treatments and reinforcement are required for any real success. Another questionable method are do it yourself downloads and videos or books that promise you can hypnotize yourself and need no other support.