About hypnosis

Hypnosis can be a powerful tool when a person makes the decision to stop smoking.  Anyone who has smoked cigarettes knows first hand what a fierce addiction it is, and how hard it can be to stop smoking. There are both psychological and physiological reasons which cause people to become so addicted. While many smokers will argue that smoking helps them to relax or helps them manage their weight, they also know that there are many serious costs and consequences which accompany years of smoking. 

First and foremost, it is a well known fact that smoking is very hazardous to your health. Studies show that smoking can literally cut years off your life. Smoking can significantly damage the heart and lungs and has been shown to cause cancer. Additionally, smoking can yellow your fingers and teeth, cause premature aging of your skin, and cause you to have a more raspy voice over time.  Smoking is also a very expensive habit, and the odor from cigarette smoke can infiltrate your clothing, hair, and surroundings to a significant degree. 

As a result of the various costs and consequences of smoking, many smokers often recognize the need to kick this habit.  But sheer will power alone is often not enough. Hypnosis has been used to help thousands of people quite smoking. Various studies over the years have shown hypnosis to have a fair degree of success with many individuals, not only helping them to initially stop smoking with ease, but to remain smoke free. Success rates vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the skill and technique of the hypnotherapist, the degree of commitment to stop on the part of the smoker, and also the degree to which follow up sessions (whether in person or on tape) are utilized to reinforce a new, smoke-free lifestyle.

There are essentially three ways to do hypnosis.  The first is a face to face session with a qualified hypnotherapist. The second is by using a pre-recorded CD or tape to guide you through the process.  And the third is to learn self-hypnosis techniques in order to hypnotize yourself as needed. All three can be effective to some degree. Regardless of the initial approach, many people will learn to utilize some form of self-hypnosis as needed in order to attain or sustain their desired outcome. 

When you use hypnosis to stop smoking, the hypnotherapist (or recorded CD) will initially focus on getting you to relax as fully as possible. The general premise is that when you reach this highly relaxed state, referred to as a trance, powerful suggestions can be made to your unconscious mind. In this trance state your mind is very focused, distractions are minimal to none, and as a result the desired changes can be suggested. Hypnosis is very popular because for many people, they can change difficult patterns and habits, such as smoking, much more quickly than with other approaches.

The types of suggestive statements which are used to help you quit smoking may include various affirmations. For example, “My lungs are cleaner each day I am smoke free” and “I value my health and enjoy a smoke-free life”. Another statement used during the trance may be, “My family and friends enjoy being around me more now that I am smoke free”. 

As you may notice, all of these statements are both present tense and positive. 
It is believed that positive statements based on what you do want (to be smoke free) are far more effective than negative statements focusing on what you don’t want (e.g. “I no longer desire cigarettes”). The belief is that the unconscious will interpret that as “I desire cigarettes”. Also, statements made in the here and now tell the unconscious that the desired change has already occurred, rather than keeping it in the future.

Many people find that repeated sessions (with a hypnotherapist or with a recorded session or CD) will result in more lasting effects. Some therapists will recommend listening at least once a day or even twice a day for the first several days, and at least daily for a month. Also, using self-hypnosis techniques regularly to reinforce the new behavior can be very effective.

While hypnosis to help quit smoking does not work for everyone, it is definitely worth looking in to if you want to break this habit. If you have tried other methods and have failed, hypnosis is a fairly inexpensive and risk-free method to consider. You have nothing to lose, and you may gain a much healthier and longer life if it does work for you.