To some hypnosis might seem like some form of black magic. Stage magicians do hypnosis acts and some claim to remember being kidnapped by aliens after undergoing hypnosis. But it also is science. Psychologists use it to help people remember traumatic experiences and, increasingly, some therapists use it for behavior modification.

In fact, using hypnosis as a means to control weight and stop smoking are the most popular medical uses of the technique. While drug therapies to stop smoking get the most attention, hypnosis is the most popular non-medical form of smoking cessation.

What is Hypnosis?

The fancy way to explain hypnosis is that it is an altered state of consciousness in which people are more susceptible to suggestion. That sounds a bit vague and could be interpreted as being put into a trance or spell during which a person can be programmed to carry out certain acts they cannot control.

This is part of the long-standing myth of hypnosis. In reality, hypnosis is no more than a state of deep relaxation where people are able to disregard most of the pressures and distraction of everyday life and concentrate on a single subject – such as quitting smoking.

The idea is that while in a hypnotic state a person can strengthen their resolve to quit and increase negative attitudes toward cigarettes. The repeated suggestions then will bolster a quitter’s will power when confronted with temptations.

Types of Hypnosis

While the idea of “entering an altered state of consciousness” might sound a bit frightening and somewhat complicated, this also is a misconception. It can be done on one’s one or even on the internet. It also is possible to hire a therapist to lead you through the session.

Self-hypnosis is a very popular use of the technique for smoking cessation. Dozens or books, audio and video tapes, and other offerings provide the instruction needed. One main benefit is that self-hypnosis can be used to maintain the relaxed state reached with a hypnotherapist, prolonging the benefits of such a session.

Also self-hypnosis avoids any embarrassment going to a therapist might cause and can be undertaken when needed, freeing the quitter from having to depend on the availability of a therapist.

For those wanting to see a therapist, the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists web site lists board-certified therapists across the country.

Not Magic

While it is effective for some people, hypnosis – neither self or therapist-assisted – is not the magic answer for people wanting to quit. Despite its popularity, researchers from Ohio State University reviewed nearly five dozen studies on the effectiveness of hypnosis in smoking cessation and found that people using hypnosis techniques were more likely to succeed than others who were not using any stop-smoking intervention, but that it had no advantages over any other popular smoking cessation methods.

In other words, hypnosis is better than nothing.

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