How to stop smoking with hypnosis

Smoking can be a pretty nasty habit to kick. In fact, some would argue that quitting smoking is more difficult than quitting some other, hard drugs. There are medications and other tools to help quit smoking, but sometimes these things are not quite as effective as people would like. Smoking is a terrible habit that can ultimately cost you your life, not to mention how expensive it is over a lifetime. Quitting as soon as you can will help you by preventing serious illness and death from smoking as your body will begin to recover over time. This means you should find whatever works for you when it comes to quitting smoking. One method of quitting that people swear by is hypnosis.

Studies have shown people who cannot quit smoking through more traditional methods like medications, nicotine patches and nicotine gum may find better luck with hypnosis. There are some people who are really susceptible to hypnosis and will get the most out of this method of quitting. The most important thing to consider if thinking of using hypnosis is to determine that you truly want to quit, that is half the battle as you are then congruent with the treatment. Hypnosis is a state that is defined as being altered and trance-like. This has also been found to be very effective as a tool for weight-loss and phobias, as well as addiction. You become more focused during this altered state and more relaxed. This state makes it easier to listen to suggestion as it bypasses your conscious mind, addressing your unconscious mind which controls your thoughts and desires.

When it comes to smoking cessation hypnosis, the smoker will typically be asked to imagine some of the unpleasant outcomes that go hand in hand with smoking. The hypnotherapist will emphasis the negative aspects of smoking such as bad breath, smelly clothes, constant cough and obviously their health in general. If they have children, the hypnotherapist may get the smoker to think of the consequences his smoking has on his children’s health too. Not only will they be passively inhaling nicotine but they may be more likely to start smoking themselves when older. This will create an association within the smokers’ mind about their habit that will take away the pleasure they get from smoking. To complement this, the hypnotherapist will then ask the smoker to visualise a life smoke-free where he is feeling healthier, has more energy to play with his children or participate in sports, will certainly be richer and afford so much more and generally enjoy a better quality of life all round. The most important part here is for the therapist to guide the smoker’s thoughts to what is most important to him. It is no use emphasising how exorbitant cigarettes are if cost is not a concern to the smoker - he has to really want to change for reasons important specifically to him.

Many people have successfully quit smoking using hypnotherapy and certainly see it as money well spent as the cost is quickly recovered in savings from quitting smoking for good. The reason other methods often fail is because it solely relies on willpower to quit for good. While this may work for some people, it can be difficult for others as the craving itself has not been addressed. The accompanying hand movements the smoker associates with smoking may mean they now replace that movement with food for example and put on weight. Instead of having a cigarette with their coffee, they may now have a biscuit, thus, replacing one habit with another. Hypnosis works on the cravings and habits associated with the process of smoking, thereby removing any possibility of self-sabotage and weakness.  

Choose a professional that is fully licensed and trained, as well as having all of the right credentials. Ask for testimonials and success rate. Make today the right time to quit. Too many people put it off by saying they have a social event coming up and they will want to smoke, or they are too ‘anxious’ just now and they need it to calm their nerves. This is a myth perpetuated by smokers past – nicotine actually raises blood pressure and it is the craving for the next ‘fix’ that causes the feelings of anxiety.  Don’t be surprised if the hypnotherapist refuses to deal with your request to quit smoking. The first thing a good therapist will ask you when you first contact him is your reasons for wanting to stop. If you say something along the lines that, "somebody is making you" or "the doctor has told you" then he may refuse. You see, you need to want to quit.

That is why the sessions will be tailored to your personal reasons for quitting which will make it a success and you will stop.

“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I have done it thousands of times.” - Mark Twain.