Don’t believe the packaging or the slick adverts, e-cigarettes are not the solution to your smoking problem. In fact, a new study goes so far as to say quite the opposite – they are a gateway to further nicotine addiction. There are, however, potential solutions out there which can replace both patches and e-cigarettes by building your mental fortitude and resilience to overcome cravings and live a healthier life.
The theory is simple. Electronic cigarette producers and proponents suggest that these are ideal devices for slowly weaning yourself off nicotine. Smokers still get a fix, but with reduced health risks and reduced amounts of nicotine. This, however, requires a huge amount of willpower and discipline to slowly cut intake until the smoker is able to quit entirely.
Reality of E-Cigarettes
According to a study tracking cancer patients trying to quit smoking noted by Medical News Today, e-cigarette users were more nicotine dependent than nonusers. The report, while suspect to some, has been used to encourage oncologists to not recommend e-cigarettes or vapes to patients. UK Professors, Peter Hajek and Robert West have disagreed with the study’s findings due to a high dropout rate of participants.
However, other studies have shown e-cigarettes to be harmful. The FDA is working to regulate e-cigarettes after medical studies determined that even though so-called vapes produce a nicotine vapor, smokers still inhale harmful substances and potential carcinogens. If we go back to the original, controversial study, one thing it does prove is that those who enroll in a 6-12 month cessation plan usually fail; especially if it involves nicotine replacement products such as patches and e-cigarettes.
Hypnotherapy is More Effective Than E-Cigarettes
What should be taken from these studies is that any kind of nicotine is addictive and potentially harmful. Those looking to quit smoking, no matter their health, should look for nicotine-free solutions. Psychological counseling is one option and another is smoking cessation through hypnosis.
Hypnosis works through altering a person’s state of awareness so they appear to be in a trance or even asleep. By influencing a person’s thought process and awareness, hypnotherapy is able to reduce pain, help with weight issues, and quit smoking. If you have tried many alternatives or want a nicotine free way to quit the habit, get in touch – it might change your life!
A client once asked me what surprises me the most about the work I do. Initially I figured my answer would involve one particular client but I was wrong. After thinking about for a moment I realized that what surprises me the most is about hypnosis is how easy it is for clients to become hypnotized.
Especially considering that nearly everyone comes into my office with no previous hypnosis experience and most don’t even have any experience with meditation or any relaxation techniques of any kind.
I don’t think it’s because of any particular skill I might have but rather with hypnosis in general. Everyday we all routinely float in and out of a light hypnotic state in the form of zoning out or daydreaming. So being guided into this familiar feeling with hypnosis is naturally easy for nearly everyone.
I tell all my clients that making the shift from conscious to subconscious, to enhance our life experience, is how we are all hardwired to operate, but unfortunately this blissful, meditative oasis goes unnoticed by most.
Another reason it’s so easy for most is because of the hectic pace of day-to-day life these days. Everyone is stressed out and overwhelmed. Given the opportunity to hop off the grid and chill out is usually eagerly embraced.
Prior to doing the formal hypnosis session I teach clients how to do self-hypnosis, my brand of self-meditation. This not only empowers clients to be able to relax o their own power but makes it extra easy for them to then slide into the formal session.
Three steps to success with hypnosis:
1) Genuinely motivated to change
2) Willing and eager to be guided into hypnosis
3) Listen to MP3 sessions daily for at least 3 months
Hypnosis Subjects Lost More Weight Than 90% of Others and Kept it Off Reviewed 18 studies comparing a cognitive behavioral therapy such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self monitoring, or goal setting with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis. Those who received the hypnosis lost more weight than 90 percent of those not receiving hypnosis and maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended. J Consult Clin. Psychol. 1996;64(3):513-516.
Hypnosis Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight Loss Treatment included group hypnosis with metaphors for ego-strengthening, decision making and motivation, ideomotor exploration in individual hypnosis, and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions. Hypnosis was more effective than a control group: an average of 17 lbs lost by the hypnosis group vs. an average of .5 lbs lost by the control group Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.
Two Years Later: Hypnosis Subjects Continued To Lose Significant Weight 109 people had treatment for weight with or without hypnosis. After 9-weeks both groups lost significant weight. At 8-month and 2-year follow-ups, the hypnosis subjects were found to have continued to lose significant weight, while those in other group showed little further change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985)
Hypnosis can more than double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches Review of 5 weight loss studies showed that hypnosis can more than double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches. U. Conn, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 (Vol. 64, No. 3, pgs 517-519)
Hypnotic enhancement for weight loss treatments Hypnosis versus no hypnosis the average short-term weight loss was 6 lbs for those not using hypnosis and 11.83 lbs with hypnosis. Over long term the average loss without hypnosis remained at 6 lbs, with hypnosis jumped to 14.88 lbs. What is impressive about these results is that doing hypnosis under controlled conditions is extremely difficult, and to have the research indicate that people are losing anywhere from about 2 to on average 16 1/2 times more weight under hypnosis than when they do not use it, clearly indicates that hypnosis should be used by anyone who is serious about weight loss and that benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time. Kirsch, Irving (1996) Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519
Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment 60 females at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatment. Participants interviewed about family background, educational, and their belief as to their hypnotizability. The group was split into hypnosis and non-hypnosis groups with both groups being given weight-loss behavioral treatments and counseling. Results: hypnosis group lost an average of 17 lbs at the 6-month follow up. Non hypnosis group only lost 1/2 pound. They also found that “hypnotizability” and social and educational backgrounds had nothing to do with the results. Cochrane, Gordon (1986) Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492
Effectiveness of hypnosis for weight management 109 people in 2 groups for a 9-week study. 1st group treated diet and exercise habits with no hypnosis. The 2nd group had same diet and exercise and received hypnosis. After 9 weeks, not surprisingly, both groups lost weight. After 8-month and 2-years: 1st most gained most of their weight back. The 2nd group continued to lose weight during both intervals, and the studies showed that far more people in the hypnosis group met their long-term weight-loss goals. The hypnosis group continued the eating and exercise habits while the non-hypnosis group did not. There is no magic pill for weight loss. It is clear that hypnosis supports diet and exercise adherence. Bolocofsky, David N. (1985) Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41 (1), 35-41
Everyone talks about being stressed, overwhelmed and anxious. The pharmaceutical and alcohol industries pray that you stay way. We know that unrelenting stress can lead to physical and emotional problems such as hypertension, ulcers, migraines and depression. But what is stress exactly? Is it tangible? Is stress a traffic jam, money or relationship problems?
The way people commonly refer to stress you would think it would at least be something you could see or touch. Maybe stress is more like the common cold; feels lousy for a while, then it either goes away or perhaps you just get distracted and stop thinking about it.
My clients learn that stress is a point of view, or a perspective. Two people experiencing the same situation can respond in very different ways. What pushes the stress button in one person can have no effect on another. So it’s not the situation or event but rather how it is perceived or interpreted.
To take it a step further; everytime someone with the fear of flying, takes off in an airplane, and experiences panic, the phobia becomes more deeply rooted. Over time, with repetition, the fear can spread. Soon the person feels uncomfortable driving to the airport, then he or she experiences discomfort just booking the flight, and then just the initial thought of taking the trip to begin with, can provoke a stressful response.
The bad news is that with repetition fear can spread and become deeply rooted; the good news is that the opposite is also an option. Relaxing confidence can become just as automatic, you can’t have one without the other. Think of the subconscious as a greenhouse, you can grow roses or poison ivy with equal efficiency.
Hypnosis is the only way to clean out your inner house, to uproot and delete the problem patterns, and to then plant the seeds supporting new preferred alternatives. By repeating the hypnotic process daily for a couple of months, the new patterns become just as deeply rooted as the problem patterns were.
My clients experience a series of sessions offering a variety of creatively effective techniques supporting healthy change. Most have never previously tried hypnosis, inspite of this the overwhelming majority feel a significant emotional release from whatever problem they had when they arrived. If you are struggling with a problem please consider hypnosis. It’s a powerful tool that’s easy to do and it feels fantastic.
A Boston area Hypnotherapist, with 10 years of medical experience as an RN, Paul has been helping clients since 2001 to overcome everyday challenges. Read more
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Paul’s Book
Healthy Hypnosis: The Simple Truth and Practical Use Paul explains the A-B-C’s of clinical hypnosis and offers case studies and examples of actual client sessions. This is a must read for anyone interested in this fascinating technique.
