Hypnosis helps men quit

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Dec, 2004

Men who try hypnosis to help them quit smoking are more likely to be successful than women who use the same treatment, according to Joe Green, associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University's Lima campus. A review of 18 studies of hypnosis-based smoking cessation programs found that about 30% of males who used this method successfully stopped smoking, compared to 23% of females. The reasons, however, may have more to do with gender differences in quitting smoking in general than with hypnosis itself.

Green indicates that many experts believe women have a harder time than men giving up smoking. One reason may be that nicotine replacement therapy (such as nicotine gum or patch) is not as effective for women as it is for men. Some claim women are concerned with weight gain associated with smoking cessation, so they are more reluctant to quit or may relapse if experiencing a weight gain.

Yet, that does not mean hypnosis will not work with women, Green emphasizes. The key is to find the right combination of treatments that will help boost the chance of success. Green found that hypnosis generally was as effective as other smoking cessation treatments. "Given that most of these smoking cessation approaches have similar success rates, it is really up to the consumer.

"It depends on which treatment a person is most likely to use. There is nothing about hypnotic treatments that women should shy away from. If a smoker--a man or a woman--is strongly motivated to try a hypnotic approach, he or she will probably be as successful with that approach as any other"

Green, though, recommends steering clear of hypnosis treatments that guarantee success with just one session. It often takes multiple sessions, and a combination of approaches, to reach your goal. Hypnosis could be combined with cognitive behavioral strategies, an awareness of nutrition and exercise, and an avoidance of smoking triggers to help make smoking cessation successful.