It seems smoking and hypnosis have become commonly linked in recent years, with many people seeing it as a last resort in helping them to quit.
So why do so many people turn to hypnosis to stop smoking - is it effective? Certainly the research suggests it can be very effective, and given the huge costs of the habit (both financial and health) it is perhaps surprising that even more people don't turn to a hypnotherapist to help them with addictions such as this.
The true key to the effectiveness of hypnosis and smoking, as with so many other things, is how badly do you want it? Are you really committed to doing everything you can to quit?
The reason this is so crucial is that hypnotherapy is not the magic bullet many people give it credit for. The old movie stereotype is that it can lead to someone controlling your free will and making you do something you don't want to do. The truth is very different.
In reality, the therapist cannot make you do something you don't want to do - all they will do is induce the hypnotic state (a state of deep relaxation) and talk to you in positive terms about something you want to achieve - in this cases quitting.
If you truly want to quit, this can be very powerful - your mind is at its most suggestible when you are under hypnosis - but if you really don't want to quit, it will be essentially worthless.
In many cases therapists will offer a single treatment, with free follow-ups if needed - so if you have the will, this may be the way!
