Hypnotism is becoming an increasingly popular form of weight loss, but ISU students and health officials say exercise and healthy diet are still the most reliable methods to shed pounds.

Dr. Marc Shulman, staff physician at the Thielen Student Health Center, said he has not recommended hypnosis to patients before, but he said it can work for some people.

“Losing weight is a matter of eating healthy and exercising more,” Shulman said. “Whether people choose to use hypnotism or Weight Watchers or whatever to achieve that goal, it is fine as long as it’s in a smart, sensible way. The only thing I would never recommend anyone use are weight loss pills.”

By using hypnosis, he said, companies claim they can change old ways of thinking about food and exercise, which can lead to better control over one’s eating and fitness habits.

According to the MSNBC Web site, hypnosis can make a person more receptive to new suggestions after the person is put in a relaxed, trance-like state. The person is then better able to control what is happening to the body, such as by causing them to want to eat less or work out more.

Hypnosis only works if the person is ready and willing to participate – hypnosis only assists someone in doing something they want to do but do not necessarily have the willpower to do it.

Shulman said there aren’t many negative effects to weight-loss hypnosis because the people performing the hypnosis are not going deep into the mind. He said it does not always work, though.

“Hypnotism works for some people but it’s not for everyone,” he said. “There is no guarantee.”

Other people on campus say they prefer more traditional weight loss techniques.

Stephanie Eichler, fitness program coordinator for recreation services, said she is not well-informed about hypnosis, but she would not recommend it to someone trying to lose weight.

“I don’t think people need to be hypnotized to get out and exercise,” Eichler said.

“I’m a firm believer that they should just get in there and do it.”

Jamie Pedersen, senior in elementary education, said she has never been hypnotized and does not plan to use it.

“Honestly, I probably wouldn’t try hypnotism if I wanted to lose weight because there’s no guarantee,” she said.

“I think I’ll just stick with exercising and eating healthy because I know that gets results.”