I get this question a lot. The answer is YES, hypnosis can help you quit and can make smoking cessation permanent; but, there are a few key things that are important for you to know.
Send me your questions/comments/concerns about hypnosis for quitting smoking, or any habits, and I’ll answer them for you.
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I have tried to stop smoking many times but nothing has stuck. How does hypnosis work? Is it just a bunch of gobblygook?
Hi Nancy,
Hypnosis helps you quit smoking by giving you the positive suggestions you need to want to quit, change your thoughts and behaviors to allow you to quit, and then reinforce your commitment to stay quit.
It is the power of your own mind and your intention to quit that enables you to quit – hypnosis is just the catalyst to help you do it!
Dr. Murray – I afraid of the hypnotics. Can anything bad happen to me when I am under the spell?
Hi Darwayne,
There’s no reason to be afraid of hypnosis. It is just a relaxed state of mind that is perfectly natural, similar to the state of meditation or deep relaxation. Nothing bad can happen to you because your mind is always active and you are free to accept or reject any of the suggestions made. It’s also possible for you to bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time. One more thing, the hypnosis you see on TV and in movies is made to look dangerous, but that is the creative work of Hollywood and not really hypnosis.
Thanks for your question!
I am glad it is not scary or that I will do something weird like cluck like a chicken or take my shirt off. I seen that on TV. It sounds relaxing like after I drink a few beers! Ha! Seriously, I am interested because I REALLY need to quit smoking – it sucha bad thing for me. If it is easy as you say I will probably try it. Will I have to keep doing it forever or will it get cured on the first time? I am pretty busy.
I’m glad that put your fears to rest. My method is to record the hypnosis session on CD (or audiotape) and instruct the client on how often to listen to it in order to break the habit and make it a permanent change.
I also provide information on how to make quitting smoking an enjoyable and healthy process.
Thank you, Dr. Murray! You seem like a good psychiologist. I will give this a try!
Darwayne
Do you know if hypnosis has been found to be helpful with other addictions besides smoking?
Hypnosis can be applied to other addictions such as chocolate, soda, sugar, and various dietary addictions. I do not use it with other drug addictions (aside from caffeine and nicotine) mainly because these require various forms of intervention,(i.e. medical and psychological), therefore are more appropriatley treated, in my opinion, through substance abuse-focused therapies.