Miya Pearson
Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and heightened concentration, during which a person is more open to suggestions. Hypnotherapy is considered a safe, low-risk therapy with minimal adverse effects. While it is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA), some studies have found hypnosis to be effective in helping people quit smoking. However, results vary across individuals, and it may be more effective in the short term.
Does sleep hypnosis work for smoking?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Hypnosis may be effective in helping people quit smoking, but it may be more effective in the short term than in the long term. Results from studies have been mixed. |
| Safety | Hypnosis is generally considered safe and low-risk, with minimal literature suggesting potential side effects such as headaches, anxiety, and, in rare cases, psychological problems. |
| Number of Sessions | The number of hypnotherapy sessions can vary from a single session to up to eight sessions, depending on the individual's response and reinforcement needs. |
| Session Duration | Sessions typically last around 60-90 minutes, with the total duration of hypnosis ranging from 30 minutes to nine hours in the studies. |
| Techniques | Various techniques are employed, including Spiegel's method, which focuses on modifying perceptions of smoking, teaching self-hypnosis, and providing affirmations to resist smoking urges. |
| Success Rate | The success rate of hypnosis for smoking cessation varies. A 2021 study found that 86% of subjects no longer smoked after six months, but only 32% maintained abstinence after this period. |
| Limitations | Hypnosis does not work for everyone, as about one in four people cannot be hypnotized. The effectiveness may also depend on the practitioner's training and technique. |
| Combination with Other Treatments | Combining hypnosis with other treatments may enhance their effectiveness. |
| Official Recognition | Hypnosis is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA), and more well-conducted studies are needed to determine its efficacy in smoking cessation. |
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What You'll Learn
Hypnotherapy techniques
Hypnotherapy is a potential aid for smoking cessation, as it may weaken the desire to smoke, strengthen the will to stop, or improve the ability to focus on a treatment program by increasing concentration. Many different hypnotherapy techniques have been employed, but the most frequently used approach is a variant of the 'one session, three-point' method developed by Spiegel. This method attempts to modify patients' perceptions of smoking by using the potential of hypnotherapy to induce deep concentration. During the session, the smoker is instructed that:
- Smoking is a poison
- The body is entitled to protection from smoke
- There are advantages to life as a non-smoker
This approach also includes training in self-hypnosis, which some believe is as important as undergoing hypnosis by a therapist. During hypnosis for smoking cessation, a patient is often asked to imagine unpleasant outcomes from smoking. For example, the hypnotherapist might suggest that the cigarette smoke smells like truck exhaust or that smoking will leave the patient's mouth feeling extremely parched. The hypnotherapist teaches the smoker self-hypnosis and then asks them to repeat these affirmations anytime the desire to smoke occurs.
The number of hypnotherapy sessions varies from a single session to up to eight sessions, with the total duration of hypnosis ranging from 30 minutes to nine hours. It is important to note that hypnosis does not work for everyone, and about one in four people are not able to be hypnotized. The effectiveness of hypnosis can vary from person to person, and it may be more effective in the short term than in the long term. Additionally, there is a chance that hypnotherapy may cause some side effects such as headaches, anxiety, and, in rare cases, psychological problems.
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Effectiveness and long-term results
The effectiveness of hypnosis as a method to quit smoking is still uncertain. While some studies have found that hypnosis may be effective in helping people quit smoking, especially in the short term, there is a lack of conclusive evidence to support its use. For instance, a 2017 research review found some evidence that hypnosis may aid in smoking cessation, especially when combined with other treatments. Similarly, a 2021 study reported that 86% of subjects remained smoke-free after undergoing hypnosis for six months. However, after this initial six-month period, only 32% of participants in the study did not relapse, suggesting that hypnosis may be more effective in the short term.
Additionally, a 2019 research review indicated that self-hypnosis for smoking cessation was associated with a six-month abstinence rate. However, the review also suggested that hypnotists may exaggerate their success rates. Furthermore, a 2017 study found that hypnosis was more effective than behavioural therapy in preventing relapse among individuals who had already quit smoking for at least three days.
It is important to note that hypnosis does not work for everyone. Approximately one in four people cannot be hypnotized, and the intensity of hypnosis can vary from person to person. The effectiveness of hypnosis may depend on individual responsiveness and the number of reinforcement sessions required. The American Society for Clinical Hypnosis recommends asking practitioners if they can provide effective treatment without hypnosis.
While hypnosis has been shown to have some positive effects in aiding smoking cessation, it is not a stand-alone treatment. Combining hypnosis with other techniques and strategies is recommended for increasing the chances of long-term success. Hypnosis is considered safe and low-risk, and it can be a useful complementary therapy alongside standard medical or psychological treatments. However, it is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA), and more well-conducted studies are needed to determine its effectiveness in smoking cessation.
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Safety and side effects
Hypnosis is a genuine psychological therapy process that puts you into a trance-like state, making you more receptive to therapeutic suggestions. During hypnosis for smoking cessation, a patient is often asked to imagine unpleasant outcomes from smoking. For example, the hypnotherapist might suggest that cigarette smoke smells like truck exhaust, or that smoking will leave the patient's mouth feeling extremely parched. Hypnotherapy is widely promoted as a method for aiding smoking cessation. It is intended to act on underlying impulses to weaken the desire to smoke or strengthen the will to stop.
Despite some websites and promotional materials that say otherwise, hypnosis is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA). The organization does not have an official position on the use of hypnosis. While hypnosis may be an effective short-term solution, there is little evidence that it is effective in the long term. A 2021 study found that 86% of subjects no longer smoked 6 months after hypnosis, but after that, only 32% did not start smoking again. There is also evidence that hypnosis can help people who have already quit smoking.
There is very little evidence that hypnotherapy has serious adverse effects. However, minimal literature suggests there is a chance it could cause side effects like headaches, anxiety, and, in rare cases, psychological problems like psychosis. However, in most cases, it is difficult to determine whether the cause is hypnosis or other medical or environmental factors. It may also depend on the practitioner and their training.
Hypnosis does not work for everyone. About one in four people cannot be hypnotized. The intensity of hypnosis can vary from person to person, and it may take several attempts to find out what works for you. It is important to remember that hypnotherapists may exaggerate their rates of success, and it is always good to ask tough questions about their professional training.
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Hypnosis vs. self-hypnosis
Hypnosis and self-hypnosis are both used to help people quit smoking. Hypnosis involves a licensed therapist guiding a patient into a state of deep concentration and focus, and then suggesting a change in behaviour, such as reaching for something other than cigarettes when they have an urge to smoke. Self-hypnosis, on the other hand, can be used at will by the person trying to quit, and involves accessing a trance state through deep relaxation or guided imagery, and then reminding oneself of their goal to quit smoking.
Hypnosis has been studied as a potential aid for smoking cessation, with the rationale being that it may weaken the desire to smoke, strengthen the will to stop, or improve the ability to focus on a treatment programme by increasing concentration. Many different hypnotherapy techniques have been employed, but the most frequently used approach is a variant of the 'one session, three-point' method developed by Spiegel. This method attempts to modify patients' perceptions of smoking by suggesting, for example, that cigarette smoke smells like truck exhaust, or that smoking will leave the mouth feeling extremely parched. During the session, the smoker is instructed that a) smoking is a poison, b) the body is entitled to protection from smoke, and c) there are advantages to life as a non-smoker. This approach also includes training in self-hypnosis, which some posit may be as important as undergoing hypnosis by a therapist.
Self-hypnosis, similarly, involves accessing a trance state through deep relaxation or guided imagery, and then reminding oneself of one's goal to quit smoking. This can be done through an audio-guide or audio-visual tool, similar to a guided meditation. Self-hypnosis allows people to give suggestions to themselves, without a hypnotherapist present. The steps of self-hypnosis include: stating your goal, accessing your unconscious mind through deep relaxation, using self-suggestion to tell yourself what you want to change about your behaviour, and behaving as if that suggestion is true in your daily life.
The effectiveness of hypnosis as a smoking cessation technique is still uncertain, with researchers calling for more well-conducted studies. Hypnosis is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA), and it does not work for everyone; about one in four people are not able to be hypnotised. Self-hypnosis, meanwhile, has been associated with six-month abstinence rates of between 20% and 35% in uncontrolled studies. However, the interpretation of these studies is complicated by the many different hypnotherapy regimens used and the variation in the number and frequency of treatments. Ultimately, quitting smoking typically requires a combination of techniques and tools, and hypnosis and self-hypnosis can be useful additions to a comprehensive smoking cessation programme.
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Finding a qualified hypnotherapist
Hypnosis for smoking cessation is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA). However, hypnosis can act on underlying impulses and may weaken the desire to smoke, strengthen the will to stop, or improve the ability to focus on a treatment programme by increasing concentration. Hypnotherapy can be an effective technique for treating undesirable behaviours like smoking.
When looking for a qualified hypnotherapist, it is important to ensure that they are licensed, trained, and credentialed. Beware of too-good-to-be-true claims or guarantees, and remember that hypnosis does not work for everyone. Hypnotherapy requires a strong connection between the therapist and their patient, so it is important to find a hypnotherapist who makes you feel comfortable and calm and can guide you into a state of deep focus and concentration.
You can start your search by checking with your insurance provider and asking for physicians or other medical personnel in your network that practice hypnosis. You can also call your state psychological association or state counselling association and ask for the names of licensed psychologists or licensed professional counsellors who list hypnosis as one of their specialties. If you are comfortable sharing your intentions with friends or family, you can also ask them for referrals.
When you have found a few potential hypnotherapists, be sure to check their credentials and look into ratings and reviews on sites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, or healthgrades.com. Most therapists will list their specialties on their websites, but you should also call and ask if they have any experience treating your particular symptoms. Remember that hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for stress and anxiety, so it is important to find a therapist who is a good fit for your needs.
To ensure that you are receiving treatment from a qualified hypnotherapist, you can seek out practitioners who are members of organizations that require members to meet high standards of training and have appropriate education qualifications. These organizations include the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE). Therapists in these organizations must have a doctorate-level degree in medicine, dentistry, or psychology, or a master's degree in nursing, social work, psychology, or marital/family therapy, plus a specific number of hours of approved training in hypnotherapy. You can also contact the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists to find a board-certified expert in your area.
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Frequently asked questions
Hypnosis for smoking cessation is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA). However, there is some evidence that suggests hypnosis may be effective in helping people quit smoking. In a 2021 study, 86% of subjects no longer smoked 6 months after undergoing hypnosis.
Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. A trained hypnotist uses verbal cues and mental imagery to guide you to a relaxed, meditative state in which you might be more open to advice. The therapist makes suggestions based on your goals, such as smoking is poisonous or that cigarette smoke smells unpleasant.
Hypnotherapy is generally safe when you work with a trained, certified therapist. There is very little evidence that hypnotherapy has serious adverse effects. However, there is a chance it could cause side effects like headaches and anxiety, and in rare cases, psychological problems.
