I have over 15 yrs experience helping clients to Stop Smoking successfully.

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Hypnosis for smoking cessation works by accessing the

subconscious mind to reprogram ingrained habits, alter perceptions of tobacco, and strengthen impulse control. By entering a state of focused relaxation, individuals become more receptive to suggestions that replace the desire to smoke with healthier behaviors. 

Key Mechanisms of Hypnosis
  • Rewiring Habits: It targets the subconscious reward pathways to break the link between triggers (like stress or finishing a meal) and the urge to light a cigarette.
  • Altering Perception: Techniques like the Spiegel Method teach the mind to view smoking as a poison and emphasize the body’s right to protection.
  • Managing Withdrawal: Hypnosis induces deep relaxation, which helps reduce the anxiety, irritability, and stress often associated with nicotine withdrawal.
  • Visualizing Success: Guided imagery allows individuals to vividly imagine a future as a healthy non-smoker, boosting self-efficacy and long-term motivation. 
Effectiveness and Research
  • Comparative Success: Some clinical trials indicate that hypnotherapy can be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) alone. One study found that hypnotherapy patients were twice as likely to remain smoke-free after two years compared to those who quit unaided.
  • Combined Approaches: Integrating hypnosis with other methods, such as NRT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), often results in significantly higher long-term abstinence rates.
  • Session Structure: While some find success in a single intensive session, many programs recommend 3 to 5 sessions to solidify new behavior patterns. 
Common Techniques Used
  • Aversive Suggestion: Associating the smell or taste of smoke with something unpleasant, such as truck exhaust.
  • Positive Affirmation: Weaving in empowering statements like “I am a non-smoker” to reinforce a new identity.
  • Self-Hypnosis Training: Teaching clients to use relaxation and focused breathing on their own to manage sudden cravings.