Your knowledge of hypnosis might come from the movies: "You're getting sleepy, very, very sleepy," the hypnotist might say.
Soon, the patient was in a trance and would remember the details of an event long ago or would respond to commands to bark like a dog or engage in some ridiculous behavior.
It's also been used in crime shows, where it has helped many a TV detective crack a tough case.
What Is Real Hypnosis? The reality is hypnosis does have a place in real life law enforcement and is far from a joke.
It is a powerful and effective way to help people access their unconscious mind, which can help them recall events or motivate them to make positive changes in how they respond to a situation.
One example is to change a significant habit - like smoking - a powerful emotional dependence that changes how people feel that they often can't control without outside help and understanding that smoking, very much like overeating, or biting your fingernails, is simply a distraction from stress or pressure.
From a hypnotists' point of view, those behaviors are all very similar and straight-forward to change IF THE PERSON IS SINCERE ABOUT CHANGING IT! Many smokers come to hypnosis therapy after poor results trying gums, drugs, patches, acupuncture, or "willpower.
" While the smokers may have had some limited success with any of these methods, they find themselves lighting up again when they feel stress or pressure.
Often smokers report feeling very "wound up" or very busy in their head.
Almost like they can't find the "off" switch in their brain that lets them relax, or unwind in a different way - typically even their ability to get quality sleep is affected.
Where hypnosis differs from the other methods is that smokers first must truly want to quit, then second, they must realize that unlike the other "things" to quit smoking, hypnosis is a "skill" that they learn.
Hypnosis is not "something done to you" it is something YOU do to relax or put yourself in a controlled, calm state of mind.
The movies and TV shows have distorted how it actually works.
All hypnosis is "self hypnosis" meaning that (after appropriate training, of course) the person is in charge of the entire process.
Through the power of hypnotic suggestion, they come to feel differently about the bad aspects of smoking and feel genuinely motivated to adopt non-smoking as a choice and a lifestyle.
However, it is all based on the person's DECISION...
no one can make that choice for them, but if they do have a sincere desire to quit tobacco use, hypnosis can support their decision and make it surprisingly simple to stop even a long-standing habit.
What's Beneath Stop Smoking Hypnosis The human brain functions in two different ways often referred to as the left and right brain.
The left brain is where analysis, logical activity and decision-making occur - while the right brain is where we talk about the unconscious mind, emotions, and imagination, and it's where we believe habits are controlled,.
Unfortunately, the two sides do not always work together cooperatively; this is why you can tell yourself that smoking is dangerous to your health, costs too much, smells bad, etc.
, while lighting up a cigarette at the same time.
That's because all decisions are emotionally based - then backed up with logic or reason.
Humans will take care of their emotional needs before being logical.
This is why lectures and information about how bad smoking is, and good arguments about why everyone needs to quit smoking, while true and accurate, generally are useless to produce any behavior change.
People who have been smoking for 30 years have known smoking was bad for their health, cost a lot, and made them smell bad every day of those 30 years.
But all those (left-brain logical) reasons didn't motivate them to stop.
The key to breaking an undesirable habit and replacing it with either a new one, or just creating a relaxed state of mind so you don't want to smoke any more is changing how you FEEL about it.
Most people have a bit of immaturity in them that rejects being told to change their behavior, which is why in hypnosis, no one can "make" you do anything, you have to WANT to.
When people think about quitting smoking, they may like certain aspects of kicking the habit, but they have to be serious about the decision to quit before hypnosis can be fully effective.
In a hypnotic state, or trance, the smoker becomes very mentally and physically relaxed and open to verbal suggestions that he or she may have not felt connected to in a fully awake state.
During this time the patient is not unconscious or asleep, and is easily aware of their surroundings.
Once the patient emerges into full consciousness, they feel differently about smoking anymore.
Picking A Stop Smoking Hypnosis Professional Hypnotists should be credible professionals.
You should ask about their experience and training if you're thinking about enrolling in a stop smoking hypnosis training program.
You should see evidence that the hypnotist has the integrity to stick with you until you are successful and be very candid about how hypnosis works up front so you have the best chance for success.
Hypnosis is not magic but it can help you want to embrace a healthier lifestyle and feel great about your new decision.