Transform Your Life With the Power of Subliminal Self-Help Messages

Tapes containing soothing sounds like the rhythm of waves or gentle breezes are being sold with claims that subliminal messages embedded in them can improve memory, increase self-esteem and help people lose weight. The claim is that these messages will reach the subconscious mind, which controls and guides your conscious actions, thoughts and behaviors.

How They Work

Although subliminal messages are below the threshold of awareness, they may still stimulate the brain and affect behavior (1, 2, 3). The premise behind self-help tapes that contain subliminal messages is that by listening to these recordings on a regular basis, people can reprogram their subconscious minds to stop smoking, lose weight or improve their memory.

A few years ago, YouTuber Simone Sarinas claimed that after listening to a subliminal tape about height growth every night for six nights, she woke up one centimeter taller. This was just the latest in a long line of YouTube videos with promises that subliminal self help can you change your eye color, build muscle or become a superhero (see video below).

Despite the fact that many experts agree that there's no scientific evidence that these tapes work, they are selling like crazy. A recent report by a committee of the National Research Council found that Americans spend about $50 million a year on self-help audio tapes that supposedly send subliminal messages to the brain to help achieve specific goals, such as losing weight or stopping smoking.

Weight Loss

Little independent research has been done on self-help subliminals, which manufacturers promote through mail-order catalogs. But they point to self-conducted studies and personal testimonials as evidence that the tapes do help people change their habits.

Many weight loss programs use subliminal messages to encourage healthy eating and exercise habits. They work to reprogram your subconscious mind to support your goals and make them easier to achieve.

You can also find subliminals designed to help you control your food cravings, which may be a huge obstacle when trying to lose weight. These subliminals typically feature positive affirmations accompanied by relaxing music. Some even include visualizations, which can help you picture yourself achieving your goals. It is important to listen to your weight loss subliminals daily in order to see the best results. Aim to do this for at least an hour each day. This will help you see the most rapid results.

Self-Esteem

The use of subliminal messages can help people overcome negative thought patterns that keep them from finding love and sustaining a healthy relationship. But it’s important to understand that these tapes are not a miracle solution, and must be used in conjunction with other healthy relationship practices, such as effective communication and emotional intelligence.

Subliminal stimuli are usually visual--pictures or words that occur too quickly to be processed consciously. They can also be auditory--sound waves that cannot be heard consciously. Research has shown that these stimuli can affect people, but only if they are already motivated to do something. For example, one study found that people preferred a particular brand of iced tea when it was presented subliminally while they were thirsty.

Self-help companies promote the use of subliminal audio tapes to help people achieve various goals, such as losing weight, improving memory and boosting self-esteem. However, the scientific evidence for these claims is slim. The National Research Council recently concluded that there is no evidence to support claims that subliminal tapes are effective at helping people reach their goals.

Love

You might think that subliminal messages for self-improvement sound like a plot from a John Carpenter movie, but they are now a big business on YouTube. They feature ambient music and unintelligible jabbering, claiming to help you change your eye color, build muscle, grow taller and even turn into an elf.

While some people claim to have seen positive results, most scientists say that these tapes are largely a waste of money. They are not only difficult to validate, but they do not work in the way that the producers claim.

For instance, it is important to note that the voice used in subliminal affirmations should be recorded somewhat monotone as this is how our subconscious processes the information. Moreover, the affirmations should be kept at about -17 dB, which is below the threshold of perception of the conscious mind. Hence, they will be listened to without noticing them. However, these recordings are not a substitute for learning real skills through conscious effort.