The effectiveness of custom subliminal messages is being felt the maximum in the weight-loss and advertising industries. My neighbor claims to have lost ten kilos since she combined her gym sessions with special music tapes containing custom subliminal messages! She says she could never lose weight earlier no matter how much she exercised.

But, what exactly are custom subliminal messages? For the uninitiated, these are phrases and ideas in the form of audio, visual or audio-visual combo cues sent to you in an indirect way. While you are watching a music video, there may be a hidden message to buy a product flashing in between the frames. Your mind cannot catch these messages but your subconscious can. Psychiatrists say the mind is more analytical while the subconscious is like a child and accepts everything that is told to it. Custom subliminal messages therefore, work straight on your subconscious effecting changes in the way you behave. Custom subliminal messages are being increasingly used for weight loss. You may not have the will power to avoid high-calorie food but your subconscious mind regularly told to do so will build an aversion in you against cakes and pastries!

The marketing and sales professionals have known the 'secret' of custom subliminal messages for years. That is how they have prepared popular advertisements with subtle messages cajoling you into buying products. However, despite claims, custom subliminal messages are only suggestions and do not control your mind. You can only influence behavior relating to areas like fitness, emotional, professional etc of your life with programmed subliminal messages.

The experiments with custom subliminal messages though, were discussed first as far back as in 1898 by E.W.Scripture in The New Psychology. And, advertisers have been heard of having used them for years to influence customers.

It is the therapeutic purpose of custom subliminal messages that has become most popular today. There are hundreds of manufacturers offering CDs with music and videos using custom subliminal messages for weight loss, greater confidence, healing, emotional strength etc. All you usually have to do is hear these hour-long CDs every day. The verdict is still divided about the benefits though. Still, if you do intend to try tapping the power of your subconscious mind, do check the credentials of the manufacturer before you buy or download any material.