Losing Weight
the obesity epidemic in our country is in no way a reflection of the beauty ideals we hold. It seems like we are obsessed with obtaining thin and trim bodies by any means necessary. It seems like people will go to almost any length to look how they want to look, and be considered attractive in the eyes of society. The market for weight loss supplements, pills, foods and drinks is huge; and there are new developments and procedures coming out every day about different ways to lose weight. Although some may not have ever heard of electroshock treatment, new studies suggest that it can actually help in weight loss and be a beneficial way to drop pounds.
Electroshock treatment, also known as Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), may sound like an intense and scary procedure, but it is actually relatively simple and non-invasive. Electroshock treatment is a psychiatric treatment through which electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a small seizure to acquire a therapeutic effect. This type of medical practice is often used to change the chemistry in the brain in patients who suffer from certain mental illnesses that haven't responded positively to other treatments or medications.
Much of the stigma associated with ECT is because of its early treatment methods, which used high doses of electricity being administered without anesthesia. This often lead to memory loss, fractured bones and other serious side effects. The concept of the procedure, having electricity passed through your brain, is admittedly frightening, and the reputation of electroshock treatment has only shifted because of the incredible medical advancements and changes made to it, as well as evidence from cases discovered through thousand of patients of all ages receiving the treatments over the last 70+ years. Electroconvulsive treatment has been molded into one of the safest and most effective treatments available for depression. With finely controlled electric currents applied while patients are under general anesthesia, ECT can quickly and easily relieve symptoms of severely depressed, suicidal and manic patients. So, if these illnesses can be controlled through this medical procedure, what else can?
Only recently has electroconvulsive treatment been used in changing mood and behavior to affect different areas of health and wellbeing. A study published by Obesity and Weight Loss Therapies discussed the results of research done on two different group's, measuring weight loss. While two of the study group's were simply cutting calories or carbohydrates, the other group's were doing the same while also receiving cranial stimulation through electroshock treatment. The later group of participants did lose more weight than those who did not receive any form of electroshock treatment. After two months of research, the groups which received synchronized shock treatments lost an average of 15.5 pounds while on a reduced calorie diet, and an average of 20.9 pounds on a reduced carbohydrate diet. For those who did not receive electroshock treatment over those two months; the patients who simply reduced their calorie intake lost an average of 13 pounds, while those restricting carbs lost an average of 15.8 pounds.
It was clear from the study that those who participated in electro-stimulation increased the amount of weight they lost compared to those who did not receive the same brain stimulation. Like in any experiment, there are plenty of factors to consider that may have played a role in the weight differential in the patients. What works for some people may have a completely opposite effect on others. Also, physical health, genetics, metabolism, age, gender and other details would have had an impact on the results; but it seems undeniable that more weight can be lost by including electroconvulsive treatment. Although this research is still new, it will be interesting to see the role that electroshock treatment will play in weight loss as new studies are conducted.
There is another side to the weight-loss journey related to electroconvulsive treatment as well. This idea relates to the role that certain mental illnesses and mental health may have in relation to physical health. Many mental illness patients often report having adverse physical effects pertaining to weight gain and loss resulting from their prescribed medication. One case we can look at is that of actress Carrie Fisher, who in 2011 told Entertainment Tonight that she lost 30 pounds by using a combination of the Jenny Craig diet plan along with regular electroshock treatment sessions to treat her bipolar disorder. Fisher admitted to having trouble with other forms of bipolar medication which caused her to gain a large amount of weight. She said that receiving electroshock treatment every six weeks helped keep her mood swings under control, so she was able to take less medication.
Again, the results that electroshock treatment has on weight loss is still certainly individualistic and under continued research. However, this form of brain stimulation can certainly alter functions within the brain as well has have a positive effect on certain mental disorders. If you believe electroconvulsive therapies could help with some health conditions you have, talk to a medical professional and get more information about the treatments.