Stop Smoking Hypnosis: The Facts

More and more people are choosing stop smoking hypnosis when they want to quit. Does it work? And if so, how?

There are several different theories for how hypnosis works. One is dissociation, which suggests that the subject's behavioral control sector is temporarily partitioned off from ordinary awareness. Another theory suggests that the subject is in fact in control the whole time but has made an unconscious decision to act as if he were not.

Some people are more easily hypnotized than others. When people's brains are studied under hypnosis and in a normal state, researchers have found that different areas of the brain are more active in people who are easily hypnotized while they are under hypnosis, compared with people who are less susceptible to hypnosis. When they were not hypnotized there was no difference. This suggests that there is a difference in the way that the brain works when it is hypnotized.

Hypnosis for stopping smoking involves the hypnotist making suggestions to the quitting smoker, while the smoker is hypnotized. It does not require any control of his behavior. This works because during hypnosis the brain will not censor what is said: it accepts everything it is told without question.

So if the person is told that he no longer wants to smoke, when he wakes he will know, for certain, that he does not want to smoke. There is no 'Do I want a cigarette or don't I?' He may feel cravings from time to time, but he will know they are just the effects of a former addiction that is no longer relevant to him.

Unlike other methods of quitting, hypnosis can tackle the question of weight gain at the same time. Many people do gain weight when they stop smoking, but as hypnotism can also be used for weight loss, the hypnotist can easily tackle both of these questions at the same time to prevent the subject gaining weight when they quit.

If avoiding weight gain is important to you, check whether this is included before you book a session with a hypnotist or buy a CD.

Scientific research on the success of hypnosis for quitting smoking has not been entirely conclusive, but some results claim a success rate of up to 80%. Success probably depends on three factors:

- whether the person is easily hypnotized
- the strength of their motivation to quit
- the hypnotist's technique.

There is no way to know if you will be a good hypnotism subject without trying it, but you can certainly work on your motivation. Try to choose a time for your appointment when you will be relaxed and feeling positive, not when you are under a lot of stress for any reason. For women, it is better to avoid the premenstrual time of your cycle.

If the hypnotist suggests a follow-up session after a few weeks or months, be sure to attend even if you do not think you need it. People sometimes go back to smoking even after a long time, and this will help you avoid that. If you bought a CD, it may include follow-up recordings that you should listen to.

If you are considering hypnotism to get over your tobacco addiction, you would be wise to ask for recommendations in your area for a good hypnotist. Your doctor or other health practitioner may have some advice to give. Generally, people who attend any kind of quit smoking therapy do better than those who do not, and stop smoking hypnosis can be one of the best kinds.