There are some bodybuilders that claim that hypnosis has helped them do better in the sport. Some claim that hypnosis can help with motivation, weight loss, to quit smoking, etc. There are also some websites that sell bodybuilding hypnosis MP3s, CDs or ebooks.
But does hypnosis really work? Is hypnosis safe?
The Truth About Hypnosis for Bodybuilding and Sports
Hypnosis is defined as a technique that induces a sleep like state in which the subject’s subconscious mind is open to suggestion.Does Hypnosis Work?
I think anyone would agree that a good definition of something working would be that it consistently gets the desired result.
I have seen people get hypnosis to quit smoking and as soon as they got outside of the hypnotist's office, light up and smoke.
I have seen people get hypnosis for weight loss and not lose any weight at all.
I knew a teenager who had a habit of biting his knuckles who went to a hypnotist and he did stop biting his knuckles. So does this mean it worked in this case? No, because while he stopped biting his knuckles, he switched to biting his fingernails - so far down he was actually chewing on his fingertips. So the real problem of nervousness and having a bad habit were not helped at all.
I have seen bodybuilders and athletes from other sports use hypnosis and the result was most of them quit their sports not too long after. That's not a good result either.
Looking into one of the top sports hypnotists I was shocked to find was he was obese, and I don't mean a little, I mean fat, fat - FAT! And he also died just recently, he was only in his late 50's. What's wrong with this picture?
I could go on and on, but why bother.
So even if hypnosis gets some results sometimes, I know for a fact it does not consistently get the desired results. So as per the above definition of something working, I have to say...
Hypnosis Does Not Work!
Is Hypnosis Safe?
Not only can you not get the results you desire but you can also get bad results.
There have been instances of many bad things happening to people who have undergone hypnosis. I have heard of people who have become emotionally and mentally unstable and even some that suffered injuries while hypnotized.
Problems with Hypnosis
If you understand how the mind works you know that the subconscious or unconscious mind is not helpful to the person, it contains only buried memories of pain and upset, it works as a stimulus response mind and is not under the persons control.
Anything wrong with the person (fears, compulsions, repressions, etc.) comes from his unconscious mind.
To implant commands into a persons unconscious mind is just adding to the problem.
If you want to help someone you don't put them to sleep, you wake them up by strengthening the conscious mind. Examples would be: Education, observation in the present, problem solving exercises, etc.
Or by uncovering the buried memories in the unconscious mind and making them part of conscious memory again, reverse hypnotism if you will.
Any of the above would not involve being put to sleep, drugs, trance or relaxation techniques. The person must be fully awake and alert.
Do not use hypnosis for bodybuilding, sports, weight loss or any other reason. It does not work and is not safe.
So What Does Work?
I personally have tried every mental and motivational technique available including: Psychology, psychiatry, hypnosis, self-hypnosis, meditation, positive thinking, etc, etc. The only one I found that works (consistently gets the desired result) is Dianetics.
If you really want to be happier, more motivated, excel in your sport and your life, I suggest you read the book Dianetics by Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. You should be able to get it at your local library or bookstore. You will be surprised at how much of a difference it will make in your training and in your life!