Hypnosis is being touted as a means to quit smoking, promote weight loss, treat eating disorders and many other things. Is this method a true treatment for these issues or just another snake oil being hawked by slimy salesmen? Let's look at hypnosis in conjunction with smoking.

According to supporters, hypnosis can be an effective means to quit smoking without using nicotine replacement therapies or medications. Proponents extol hypnosis' virtues as "promoting healthy and positive thinking". What's that mean? Simply put, hypnosis is a way to introduce positive images and thought processes concerning smoking cessation.

During the hypnosis session, smokers receive positive reinforcement about all their reasons for quitting smoking. Patients are put into a relaxed stated through mental and physical practices so that they are more receptive to new thoughts and ideas. Often, hypnosis sessions are followed up with audio CD's that reaffirm the positive aspects of what the patient is trying to achieve. The ex-smoker takes the CD's home and listens to them in the car, while sitting in the house or any other quiet time they may have. These CD's and other audio material reinforce the positive aspects of not smoking; basically, it's like having a cheering section for the smoker.

The therapist will likely ask for a list of your reasons for wanting to quit smoking. They will use these reasons to tailor a hypnosis session to meet your specific needs, using hypnosis to reinforce your personal reasons for quitting. A better term for this process would be positive thought reinforcement; most people view hypnosis as a way to immediately eradicate unwanted behavior, forcing they patient into doing what is asked of them.

Hypnosis is not for everyone. A true desire to quit smoking is needed to succeed; if you don't really want to quit, nothing will help. Contrary to media and popular imagination, hypnosis cannot be used to force someone to do things against their will. The hypnosis therapist will ask you to make a list of the reasons why you want to quit smoking and if they sense you truly don't want to put down the cigarettes, they will probably not accept you for treatment. In most cases, it's just a waste of everyone's time and your money.

Who should look into hypnosis to quit smoking? Anyone with a true desire to quit smoking can try hypnosis, but therapists will tell you that it's not a guaranteed process. Like any smoking cessation technique, hypnosis requires vast amounts of will power from the smoker and many people combine this treatment with more traditional smoking cessation techniques.