Hypnosis to quit smoking: What it takes to kick the habit

Is Hypnosis for smoking cessation right for you?

So you say you want to quit smoking, but do you really? Is someone telling you you need to quit? Are you worried you’ll gain weight, struggle with nicotine withdrawal or be super cranky to everyone with whom you come in contact? Do you think you can’t do it for any myriad of reasons?

If any of these concerns apply to you, then you aren’t ready to quit, plain and simple. Hypnotherapy isn’t a magic wand, I can’t just wave away your stresses or fears related to smoking.

You need to participate, and that means you have to be ready, I mean rock bottom of the ashtray ready. Otherwise, it won’t work. This is a joint effort, you and me. If you are ready to completely put aside your desire to smoke, then hypnotherapy can help pave the way for success.

I can tell you all the reasons why you should quit and you probably know most of them. Let’s see- what’s in a cigarette? Ammonia, Arsenic, Benzene, Butane, Carbon Monoxide, Cyanide… I only got through the alphabet up to C but the list goes on. Cigarettes are toxic.

In 2015 studies showed that nearly 70 percent of adult smokers in the United States said they wanted to quit smoking. In 2018, about 55 percent of adult smokers attempted to quit smoking in the past year, but only around 8 percent were successful for 6-12 months, showing success rates aren’t really that great.

Cigarette smoke can also cause cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems, and other health issues. Yet despite all of these risks, quitting smoking remains difficult for many people. With the help of hypnotherapy, however, individuals can find effective support in overcoming their addiction and achieving a smoke-free life.

But on the brighter side, here are some beneficial changes within the body when you do finally decide to stop smoking: 

• After 8 hours, the Carbon Monoxide level drops to normal and the oxygen level in the blood increases to normal. 
• After 24 hours, the chance of a heart attack is significantly decreased.
• After 48 hours nerve endings begin to re-grow and the ability to smell and taste improves.
• After 72 hours, the bronchial tubes begin to relax and lung capacity begins to increase.
• 2 weeks to 3 months, circulation in the body improves and lung functions increase up to 30%
• 1-9 months, Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia is re-grown in the lungs.
• 5 years, the Lung cancer death rate decreases and after 10 years to almost the rate of a person who never smoked.

Life expectancy for smokers is typically 10 years shorter than that of non-smokers. That’s why it’s important to seek help in quitting smoking.

After you have read the pros and cons of smoking, what is your choice? To stay with your tried and true smoking habit, your friend, your crutch that you’ve had for so long, or make up your mind to quit once and for all.

Becoming an ex-smoker: Most common methods to quit smoking

For most smokers, the urge to smoke a cigarette can be really intense, and find themselves at the mercy of their cravings. Here are some of the most commonly used treatment options when it comes to quitting smoking:

1. Nicotine replacement therapy. This may include prescription nicotine, over-the-counter patches or nicotine gum, or other prescription non-nicotine medications from your health care provider. NRT products can help alleviate cravings for nicotine as you try to quit smoking.
2. Behavioral therapy. This type of therapy is designed to help smokers identify the triggers that cause them to smoke and develop strategies to resist those triggers and replace smoking with healthier habits. Identifying your triggers can definitely be of help. For some smokers, this can mean avoiding parties, bars, or stressful situations.
3. Exercise: Physical activity is highly recommended as it can help distract you from your cravings and reduce their intensity.
4. Try some relaxation techniques: If your smoking habits get fueled by stressful situations, then relaxation techniques might help you fight this trigger in the first place. Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, visualization and massage are great ways to start.
5. Hypnosis: Hypnosis methods vary a great deal, still people trying to quit smoking says that it greatly helps. Always make sure you find a certified hypnotherapist if you are considering hypnotherapy as an option for smoking cessation. On your route to quitting smoking, hypnotists can guide you and make your journey a successful one.

Hypnotherapy: Why you should try hypnosis to quit smoking

If you’re a smoker who has tried everything from nicotine patches to willpower, you may be wondering what else you can do to quit for good. Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment that many smokers have turned to with great success. One of the biggest benefits of hypnotherapy is that it tackles the mental and emotional aspects of nicotine addiction, not just the physical craving.

During a hypnotherapy session, a certified hypnotherapist will guide you into a trance-like state where your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to suggestions. The therapist can then help you create new thought patterns and behaviors that support your decision to quit smoking. This can include visualizations of a smoke-free life, reducing stress and anxiety triggers, and reinforcing positive associations with healthy habits.

In 2014 a randomized controlled trial, a research study on the effectiveness of hypnosis found that hypnotherapy is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. Hypnotherapy patients were more likely than NRT patients to be nonsmokers at 12 weeks (Hasan, F. M. et al. Hypnotherapy is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Complement. Ther. Med. 22, 1–8 (2014).)

It’s important to note that hypnotherapy is not a magic cure and requires commitment and effort on your part. However, many people have reported significant reduction or complete cessation of smoking after undergoing self-hypnosis. If you’re ready to try a holistic approach to quitting smoking, consider booking a session with a certified hypnotherapist today.

What is the success rate of hypnosis for quitting smoking?

Success rates of hypnosis for quitting smoking varies from person to person, but studies have shown that it can be an effective method for breaking the habit. However, it’s important to note that the success of hypnotherapy also depends on the individual’s level of motivation and commitment to quitting.

With a willingness to change and the guidance of a skilled hypnotherapist, you can become a non-smoker and enjoy a healthier, more fulfilling life.

A large (n = 226) uncontrolled clinical trial found that even just a single session of smoking cessation hypnosis yielded a 52% post-treatment cessation and 23% maintenance of continuous 2-year abstinence.

Stop smoking with hypnosis: a hypnotherapist can help

Once you’re committed, hypnosis sessions can be the best way to get the extra support you need to quit the habit without unwanted side effects and with long-term results.amo

Here’s how hypnosis works for people trying to quit cigarettes. During hypnotherapy sessions, you will enter a state of deep concentration, an altered state of awareness where you will become hyperfocused. In other words, you will enter a hypnotic trance. While in this trance state, your mind becomes more responsive to hypnotic suggestions.

At this point, through the use of hypnosis, I will reinforce all of the reasons you have to quit smoking, positive emotions, increasing your motivation, and helping you make better choices in order to put aside your urges to smoke a cigarette.

There’s a plethora of hypnosis apps out there. Still, a certified hypnotherapist can provide you with a far more personalized approach that will dramatically increase the effectiveness of hypnosis sessions in your journey to becoming an ex-smoker.

Other benefits of Hypnotherapy: What else can hypnotherapy help me with?

Thanks to the relaxation effects of hypnosis, hypnotherapy sessions can also help you deal more effectively with other mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Give yourself the chance to live a smoke-free life, free from the harmful effects of nicotine and tobacco. Hypnosis can be a powerful tool in your journey to quit the habit. It can help you strengthen your determination, boost your motivation, and provide you with the necessary mental fortitude and reinforcement to resist the urge to smoke. Plus, with the added benefits of stress relief and relaxation effects of hypnosis, hypnotherapy sessions can have a positive impact on your overall mental well-being. So why not give it a try?

Keep in mind that I can’t make you do anything you consciously wouldn’t do, so you have to want this for yourself. My role as a certified hypnotherapist is to guide and support you through your journey.

Take that leap of faith in yourself and contact me at janet@healthbyhypnosis.com.