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Quit Smoking With Hypnotherapy
70How effective is hypnotherapy to stop smoking?
I've started and quit smoking several times in my life. I've never actually used hypnosis myself.
Basically I changed my own mind about smoking. First I convinced myself that cigarettes were vile things, in every sense of the word. This didn't always stick, as shown by my many relapses over the years. Then I trained my mind to find other things to do, to fill the space that cigarettes had been filling.
When I was nervous in a social situation, I taught myself to breathe deeply and relax. When I was on the phone I found something like a pen to occupy my hands with.
Hypnotherapy would do basically the same thing to get you to stop smoking. A hypnotherapist would change how you felt about tobacco by targeting your subconscious mind. In a deeply relaxed state, your subconscious is more receptive to suggestions.
So is it more effective to stop smoking by hypnosis?
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I took a look at some scientific studies, and....
The jury is still out. But overall, it seems to me that hypnosis can help people to quit smoking. The
catch is, many of the people who quit through hypnotherapy will start
smoking again if they don't take steps to prevent relapse.
Another important factor seems to be 'hypnotizability'. Some people
are more receptive to hypnosis than others, apparently. So hypnosis
might work for you but not for your partner. Keep this in mind when you
make your decision to use hypnotherapy.
If you want to use hypnotherapy, use it to help in your initial efforts. Be sure to make a long term plan to deal with the urge to relapse, though!
Scientific studies on hypnotherapy to quit smoking
- Methods for smoking cessation. [Clin Chest Med. 1991] - PubMed result
"The popularity of hypnosis and acupuncture as quitting methods are not warranted by their quit rates." - Comparison of hypnotherapy with systematic relaxation in the treatment of cigarette habituation.
"Ss in the hypnosis group who were in the upper two-thirds of the group in terms of hypnotic susceptibility reduced their cigarette consumption substantially more than Ss in the relaxation group who were in the upper two-thirds of the group in terms - Hypnosis for smoking cessation: a randomized trial.
"It was concluded that hypnosis combined with NP compares favorably with standard behavioral counseling in generating long-term quit rates." - Reducing smoking at the workplace: implementing a smoking ban and hypnotherapy.
"...hypnotherapy may be an attractive alternative smoking cessation method, particularly when used in conjunction with a smoke-free worksite policy that offers added incentive for smokers to think about quitting." - Abstract: An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Interventions Intended to Help People Stop Smoking, 9
"The effect of hypnosis is unproved (no trials have used biochemical markers)." - A randomized controlled trial of hypnotherapy for ... [J Fam Pract. 1986] - PubMed result
"A randomized controlled study in a family practice setting was conducted on the use of hypnosis in helping people quit smoking. In the hypnosis group 21 percent of patients quit smoking by the three month follow-up compared with 6 percent..." - Comparison of hypnosis plus counseling, counseling alone, and hypnosis alone in a community servic
3- and 10-mo follow-up data on 48 volunteers in a smoking withdrawal program indicate that neither hypnosis alone nor group contact alone yielded satisfactory results; however, the combined use of these procedures yielded a fairly high succes.... - Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000] - PubMed result
We have not shown that hypnotherapy has a greater effect on six month quit rates than other interventions or no treatment. The effects of hypnotherapy on smoking cessation claimed by uncontrolled studies were not confirmed by analysis of....
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Hi William, I trained as a hypnotherapist, and I've known quite a number of people quit smoking this way. Hypnotherapy isn't the answer for everyone, however, and some people will never quit. I have a friend who cheerfully puffs away on around 30 cigarettes a day despite being told that he has hardening of the arteries, angina, and the inevitable chest and lung problems. He tells me it's his only pleasure!
Hi Amanda. Thanks for reading and commenting. The pleasure of smoking, for me, was outweighed by the harm I could feel it doing to my body.
But I have to admit it has a powerful attraction sometimes, even now.
Interesting hub. I'm also a qualified hypnotherapist (hypnoanalyst to be precise), and have to say there's no magic pill for any of the addicitions. over the years I've found that those who quit are the really motivated ones and the people who don't dwell on having quit, but are able to distract themselves from the cravings and habitual behaviour. I also help people to quit the traditional way with Nicotine replacement therapy etc. It's a tough thing for most folk to achieve - ya done good!.
I am highly suggestible so this could work for me. I always told my children that they shouldn't view me as a role model but rather act as a warning to them. So every time I hear my 21 year old son coughing from smoking I suffer pangs of guilt.Good hub, one that may change and indeed save lives. Voted up.
carolina muscle Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
I think you're right.. hypnosis will, at the very least, reinforce the desire to quit, so is worthwhile. Great post!