Hypnosis is gaining wider acceptance among hospitals and research institutes as an effective technique to help people quit the smoking habit. The American Cancer Society recommends hypnosis as a stop-smoking technique. Several studies have also shown that hypnosis increases the ability of the participants to quit smoking.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an alert state of mind where a person is more open to suggestions and can change his/her behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts. Hypnotherapy enables people to gain more control over their emotions and behavior
Hypnosis is brought about by a method known as hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy can be done by a hypnotherapist or can also be done by yourself. This method of inducing hypnosis by oneself is known as self-hypnosis.
How Hypnosis Helps to Quit Smoking?
A hypnotherapist initially leads you to hypnosis by speaking in a soothing and gentle voice. This brings you to a state of relaxation, where you are more alert to suggestions. During this relaxed state of mind, the hypnotherapist would be giving you suggestions to control the urge to smoke and ways to reduce withdrawal symptoms. The hypnotherapist can also stimulate your imagination by creating a positive mental images.
Hypnosis to quit smoking works as you would be mentally alert and focused while listening to the suggestions. This will help you to change your behaviors, thoughts, and feeling towards smoking. Over time you would be confident enough to stay away from cigarettes
Study Proves that Hypnosis Helps to Quit Smoking
A study was conducted by San Fransisco VA Medical Center and University of California-San Fransisco to determine the effect of hypnosis on the smoking habit. About 286 participants were divided into two groups. One group received counseling and the other received hypnotherapy. The researchers found out that the group which received hypnosis found it very helpful. Hypnosis was especially effective for smokers dealing with depression.
Other studies conducted show that persons who have received hypnotherapy are 50% more likely to quit smoking than people who did not. Hence, if you are tired of trying, hypnosis to quit smoking may be effective for you.
