Hypnotic smoking

Millions of people suffer from the effects of undesirable habits, such as excessive smoking, drinking, etc. Multitudes of these individuals go through life with decreased efficiency, distraught nerves, and a sense of futility and frustration. They are unable to break the compelling force of negative habit by themselves. They need help; but do not know where to find it. Many appeal to their physicians. But, unless the physician has learned to use hypnotism, there is little he can do except give good advice; and every doctor knows that good advice is of little value in cases of excessive smoking or alcoholism. The victim knows the habit is injurious; he is desperately anxious to stop; but cannot do so. Through hypnotic suggestion, he can be helped.

For example, an excessive smoker is told, while under hypnosis, that the cigar or cigarette he is smoking does not taste good. You may say, "It stinks—it is bitter—it tastes bad—throw it away—here, wash your mouth out (with a real or imaginary glass of water). Now every time you put one in your mouth it will turn your stomach—you will lose your taste for smoking—you will no longer want to smoke—you are through with smoking!"

Having thus implanted the negative idea, you will now proceed to the positive phase of the treatment, something as follows: "You have decided that you are through with smoking—you will lose the desire to smoke—you are strong—you are powerful—you have perfect command—from now on you will demonstrate that you are stronger than this habit—no force can break down your iron determination—every time you refuse to smoke, it will be easier the next time to say, 'No!'—the habit is broken!" Use a strong, commanding tone in giving these suggestions.

To test the patient you may offer him a smoke after he is awake. If he starts to put it in his mouth, stop him and say quietly, "I don't think you had better put that in your mouth—it will not taste good—forget it—you don't need to smoke now—when you start to take a smoke again stop and think how much better you will feel if you throw it away—the more often you do this, the less you will want to smoke, and you will soon be entirely cured of the habit." These suggestions will impress upon the conscious mind the suggestions already given to the subconscious, thus forming another constructive association of ideas.

Hypnotic smoking