Can Anyone Be Hypnotized to Lose Weight? (Article 3 of 12)

Let’s just get this one out of the way: you don’t have to be some “super suggestible” person for hypnosis to work. You don’t need a swinging watch or some kind of magical brain chemistry. If you’ve ever gotten absorbed in a movie, missed your exit while deep in thought, or lost track of time reading—guess what? That’s a hypnotic state. You’ve already been there.

Which means yes—most people can be hypnotized. And yes, you can absolutely use it to support weight loss, especially if the usual methods haven’t worked.

Let’s dig into why this myth is so common, how hypnosis actually works for regular, skeptical people, and why the Columbus community is seeing real results (even among folks who never imagined trying something like this).

Where the Myth Comes From

Hypnosis used to be seen as a stage trick, something you watched in a dark auditorium for laughs. That theatrical version made it seem like only certain people could be “put under.”

But therapeutic hypnosis is a totally different experience. There’s no pressure. You’re not being told to do anything wild. You’re just guided into a calm, focused state—one where your brain becomes more receptive to new ways of thinking.

Think of it like your mind switching from rush-hour mode to Sunday morning mode. You’re still present, still aware—but more open. And that’s where change can start.

Case Study #1: Jordan from Clintonville

Jordan, 33, had always been skeptical of anything labeled “alternative.” As a tech consultant, his brain was wired for logic and research. His eating habits, though? A different story. He worked long hours, often skipped meals, and then found himself eating junk late at night without realizing it. Emotional eating became a pattern, especially on high-stress days.

He described his evenings as a blur—finishing a project, watching Netflix, and barely registering the chips or ice cream that would vanish before bedtime. He wasn’t even enjoying the food—it was just happening. That disconnect is what finally got his attention.

After a friend told him about Columbus Hypnotherapy, he did what he always does—read every review, combed through articles, and even emailed the hypnotherapist with a few questions. Eventually, curiosity beat out hesitation, and he booked a session.

“I honestly expected nothing,” he said. “But the experience surprised me. It felt more like guided focus than anything else. I wasn’t ‘out of it’—I was just... calm.”

His first session focused on awareness. He learned to tune into triggers and recognize the feeling of why he was reaching for food. By week two, he noticed a shift—he was slowing down during meals, choosing smaller portions without overthinking it.

“I realized I didn’t need to finish everything on the plate. That was new for me.”

One breakthrough moment happened after a stressful meeting. Instead of grabbing his usual comfort snack, he took a walk around his block and drank water. “It wasn’t about discipline—it just didn’t cross my mind the same way. I had other tools in my mental toolbox.”

By session six, he was down 12 pounds. But what stuck with him even more was the improved sleep and clearer thinking. “Once I started sleeping better, everything else fell into place. I felt like I had the mental space to make better choices.” What made the biggest impact? “The sessions helped me pause. I used to go from stress to snack without thinking. Now, I notice what I’m doing. That small shift changed everything.”

Call Columbus Hypnotherapy today to find out how a custom session could help you notice and shift the habits that aren’t serving you anymore.

The Science Behind Suggestibility

Here’s the thing: suggestibility isn’t about being weak-minded or gullible. It’s about being open to trying something new when you're in a relaxed, focused state. Most of us can access that state with just a little guidance.

That’s why hypnosis works across the board. Whether you’re Type A or totally go-with-the-flow, what matters is your willingness to participate—and your desire to change.

Case Study #2: Emily from Reynoldsburg

Emily, 47, is a full-time nurse, a mom of three, and has tried nearly every diet and program out there. From Weight Watchers to strict low-carb regimens, she’d seen temporary success—but nothing ever felt permanent. “I always ended up right back where I started. It felt like I was missing something, like I was fixing the surface and ignoring the root.”

When she stumbled across Columbus Hypnotherapy through a local wellness group on Facebook, she figured she had nothing to lose. Her first session left her feeling something she hadn’t felt in months: relaxed. “It was like someone turned the volume down in my head. I could hear myself think.”

By the third session, things began to shift. She wasn’t just making different choices—she wanted to. Her cravings had mellowed, and she stopped viewing food as a reward or punishment. That helped her drop 18 pounds in about 12 weeks, but more importantly, her guilt around eating started to fade.

Emily also began journaling between sessions, something her hypnotherapist encouraged. It became a way to reinforce her new mindset: no more all-or-nothing thinking, no more beating herself up after a slice of birthday cake. “The weight loss is great,” she said, “but what I value most is not hating myself over food anymore.”

Want to explore if hypnosis could help shift your relationship with food, too? Send Columbus Hypnotherapy a message and schedule a session today. No pressure, just a conversation to explore what’s possible.

Still Think You Can’t Be Hypnotized?

Here’s something to try: close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and picture yourself standing in your kitchen. Imagine reaching for something healthy, feeling proud, satisfied, calm. If you can picture that—you can be guided through hypnosis. That’s it. It starts there.

Hypnosis isn’t about being tricked. It’s about tapping into your brain’s natural ability to visualize and believe in change.

And that’s something we all have.

Coming Up Next...

In Article 4, we’re going to get super practical. We'll walk through what a first hypnosis session looks like—from setting the tone to what kinds of questions you'll be asked, and how online sessions are tailored for people right here in Columbus.

So if you’ve been curious but still feel unsure? You’ll want to stick around.