Randy Charach, weight loss hypnotist

Hypnosis CDs are all the rage, and on both sides of the pond.

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This one was recorded by Randy Charach, and the advert make the implausible claim that weight loss can be achieved "Without Exercise!"

Can the advertisers substantiate this claim? My money is on "no", but let's wait and see. ASA complaint follows.

"I write to complain about an advert which appeared in "Healthy Magazine" (May/June 2010, Issue 78, p152), usually sold in branches of Holland and Barrett.

The advert, for Helpyourhealth.co.uk / Randy Charach, promotes a hypnosis weight-loss system provided on CD. (The advert has a yellow background, and is entitled "Ladies LOOK and feel GREAT this SUMMER".)

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

1. A number of studies, of variable quality, are available on the subject of hypnosis and weight loss. A 2005 Cochrane review [1] summarised the situation thus:

"There was not enough evidence to reach a conclusion about other psychological forms of therapy, such as...hypnotherapy, however the evidence that is available suggests that these therapies may also be successful in improving weight loss."

2. The advertiser claims that consumers can "Lose those unwanted inches...Without Exercise! Lose the pounds while sitting or lying down using the power of your own mind."

3. The advert clarifies that the advertised product is a CD recorded by the "Hypnotist to Hollywood Stars Randy Charach".

4. Under Sections 3.1 and 51.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove the following claim, and I challenge whether the claim made for the effectiveness of the product is backed if appropriate by rigorous trials on people:

(i) Consumers can achieve weight loss, without exercise, by listening to the CD.

5. Under Section 51.8, I challenge whether the advertiser gives prominence to the role of diet.

6. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

Footnotes:
[1] Shaw KA, O'Rourke P, Del Mar C, Kenardy J. Psychological interventions for overweight or obesity. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003818. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003818.pub2 ('Summary' section)
"

*National Hypnotherapy Coucil - better spellers than me

The National Hypnotherapy Council claim that "Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for many conditions that is proven to work by an overwhelming amount of research."

UPDATE, 4th Aug: ASA write to confirm the advertisers have agreed not to repeat their advert.

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From what I understand of the available evidence, this claim seems difficult to support.

A standard ASA complaint follows - but I hope that no-one there reads it, since I managed half a dozen gratuitious misspellings of the word "hypnotherapy".

"I write to complain about an advert in “Natural Health" Magazine (April 2010, page 22), which promotes the National Council for Hypnotherapy.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

I have submitted a scan of the advert. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The CAP Code, Section 3.1, states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

2. The CAP Code, Section 50.1, states "Medical and scientific claims made about beauty and health-related products should be backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people..."

3. I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove any of the following claims, and I challenge whether the claims are backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of clinical trials conducted on people:

(i) Hypnotherapy is able to help with irritable bowel syndrome
(ii) Hypnotherapy is able to help with weight control
(iii) Hypnotherapy is able to help with smoking cessation
(iv) Hypnotherapy is able to help with panic attacks
(v) Hypnotherapy is able to help with skin problems

4. I challenge whether the statement "Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment that is proven to work by an overwhelming amount of research" can be substantiated.

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, with the magazine, or with the publishing and alternative medicine industries in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

6. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant."