Learn How Hypnosis Helps People Stop Smoking

Hypnosis helps people stop smoking in a different way than prescription drugs or nicotine replacement therapy. Although people who stop smoking through hypnosis could use one of those aids to help with their physical addiction, study groups have been successful without them.

In a recent study at Scott and White Memorial Hospital and Clinic in Texas, 40% of the participants were able to quit smoking within the first week of receiving a hypnotic suggestion and six months later they had not returned to smoking. Over the years, several separate studies have shown that people can stop smoking through hypnosis.

Like other forms of behavioral therapy or professional counseling, hypnosis is completely safe. There are no negative side effects. This is a big plus for people concerned about the side effects of nicotine replacement therapy and prescription drugs for smoking cessation.

Hypnosis helps people stop smoking by "reminding" them of their own motivations to quit. A hypnotic suggestion is like a reminder. The therapist (or a recording, if you are using a self-hypnosis plan) repeats "stop smoking suggestions", while you are in a very relaxed state.

In some people, a trance-like state is experienced and specific suggestions are not consciously remembered. But, most people remember the feeling of being "under", as well as the therapist's voice and the things that he or she said.

As with other plans, in order to successfully stop smoking through hypnosis, a person must have a desire to quit and most people do. But, because there are always temptations, sometimes the desire is forgotten. It may take a little time, but it is easy to identify the times when you are most likely to "forget".

Sometimes it is possible to avoid those things that cause the most temptation or are most likely to cause forgetfulness. For those situations that cannot be avoided, the hypnotic suggestion helps maintain the mental awareness of the desire and motivation. In other words, hypnosis helps people stop smoking by helping them to concentrate on their goal; to quit smoking.

People who stop smoking through hypnosis may still have some withdrawal symptoms, if they are physically addicted, and nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man. But, if a person can stop smoking for as little as two weeks, then they have "beat" the physical addiction.

Patches, gums and other types of nicotine replacement therapies are often ineffective because they simply prolong the addiction to nicotine. In order for them to be effective, people must remember to cut back on the amount that they use every day. So, once again, it comes down to remembering the motivation and desire.

To learn more about how hypnosis helps people stop smoking or to learn about other option, please visit the Stop Smoking Blog, a resource for those who want to quit, written by those who have.