Does hypnosis work as a method to quit smoking?

cigarette crashed by a hand

Smoking combustible cigarettes is a dangerous, even deadly habit, and when the time comes to quit, the real challenge is finding a strategy that works to kick those cravings. While it’s one of the best things you can do for your health, having motivation is often not enough to keep you smoke-free, which is why ex-smokers pair their strong desires for quitting smoking with nicotine replacement therapies like e-cigs, nicotine gum, and counseling. That said, another method that ex-smokers are turning to is hypnosis. 

What is hypnosis?

Defined as an altered state of awareness in which you appear as if you’re asleep or in a trance, hypnosis is often used to treat physical pain management or psychological problems such as eating disorders, speech disorders, and addiction issues. Hypnosis gives people the ability to relax and concentrate on a deeper level, which is very important when you’re quitting smoking for good.  

How can hypnosis work for quitting smoking? 

Hypnosis for smoking cessation requires the user to close their eyes and enter a relaxed state. You’re then asked to imagine unpleasant outcomes from smoking—this could be the smell that lingers on your clothes and hands, coughing and wheezing, and even the parched feeling you sometimes get when your mouth becomes dry after smoking. You’re also asked to focus on the negatives that smoking brings to your life and how you allow and facilitate it—smoking poisons your body, you need a healthy body to live, and it’s your job to respect and protect your body. Through self-hypnosis, you repeat affirmations and the desire you have to quit smoking. 

Does hypnosis work for smoking?

Generally speaking, hypnosis doesn’t work for everyone and the intensity of it can vary from person to person. However, it also won’t convince you to do anything that you don’t want to do. While there is no imminent proof that it works to help people quit smoking and remains a hopeful approach with many benefits when combined with other quitting smoking techniques like the use of e-cigs. 

Remember that it’s never too late to quit smoking.

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