Hypnosis Gains Ground for Stop Smoking

This is an interesting "medical minute" as some of the facts are right and others are obviously not as well researched as a news presentation should be . . .

The numbers on smoking are pretty grim: Around 50 million Americans smoke. That habit claims more than 400,000 lives annually.

But one hopeful statistic stands out: Each year, about 1.3 million Americans successfully quit smoking.

Smokers often try many different methods to kick the habit: Nicotine patches, gum, antidepressants and even hypnosis.

However, until now, there hasn't been much evidence to suggest that hypnosis really works. In a new study, researchers from the University of California at San Francisco randomly assigned 125 smokers to receive hypnosis and a similar number of smokers to receive behavioral counseling.

After one year, 22 percent of those who had hypnosis had quit smoking compared to 15 percent of those who had traditional counseling.

Researchers say hypnosis appeared more effective in patients who had a history of depression.

Experts say it often takes several tries to stop smoking for good; so if one attempt fails, pick a new quit date and a new tactic and start again.

Actually, there is amble evidence that smoking is effective for stop-smoking, much more effective than the twenty-two percent being reported here.  For modalities that include interactive process-based in person hypnosis rather than just audio CDs, the success rate is typically much higher (depending upon the study and methodology, often as high as sixty percent).  Bear in mind that the success rate for hypnosis to help stop smoking is higher than any other method so the comparative success in the USC at SF study is not surprising.

Take a look at the video for the story above at http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/jun/23/hypnosis_gains_ground_smoking_cessation_tactic/

When I work with smokers, I do make it clear that the hypnosis is most effective if the motivation to quit is self-directed and genuine.  If you're only making an appointment with me because your spouse or someone else has forced you to against your will, then save yourself the money and wait until YOU want to quit.

See other items in the Hypnosis in the News section of my blog for more studies and information.

All the best,
Brian

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Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com