Smoker’s account of quitting

I see many smokers who are struggling to quit. Initially we talk about their smoking history, past attempts to quit and any health concerns for themselves or if they know someone whose health was compromised by smoking. Smokers are very quick to say they hate smoking;...
Mind-body therapies for opioid-treated pain

Mind-body therapies for opioid-treated pain

A new study published Nov. 4, 2019, in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine details the first comprehensive look across the scientific literature at the role of mind-body therapies in addressing opioid-treated pain. The researchers found that certain mind-body therapies...
Meditation improves brain connections

Meditation improves brain connections

When I’m stressed, I listen to a 20-minute mindfulness meditation tape. It always helps me feel calmer and more relaxed. Many meditative practices can do this. Mindfulness meditation is getting a lot of attention because it seems to help with so many physical and...
Self-hypnosis: your new isolation hobby

Self-hypnosis: your new isolation hobby

Chances are when you hear hypnosis, you think swinging pocket watches and talk of, “you are now getting very sleepy.” That’s Hollywood’s hypnosis. The real thing doesn’t put you under a spell. It doesn’t make you blackout. No one is going to convince you to cluck like...
Baylor Univ: mindfulness + hypnosis = winner

Baylor Univ: mindfulness + hypnosis = winner

The intervention is called mindful hypnotherapy. “Mindfulness is a type of meditation that involves focusing attention on present moment awareness. It can help people cope with stress, but can require months of practice and training,” said researcher Gary...