 |
|
|
|
|
August 3rd, 2010
06:14 PM ET
Change your thinking to kick that cigarette habit
Imagine how tantalizing, how powerful the craving for a cigarette is. Then imagine you could stem that craving by merely changing the way you think. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that merely thinking differently could help control cravings. "Most people think that the reason smokers use substances is because of a lack of self-control," said Kevin Ochsner, associate professor of psychology at Columbia University. "We show they don't lack it, the problem they have is they may not know what strategy to use." Let's face it, our brains are wired for short-term rewards, whether it is the first drag on a cigarette or the first bite of a hot stack of pancakes. According to study authors, the strategy to curb those cravings is almost deceptively simple: re-wiring the brain to think long-term. Ochsner and colleagues gave brain scans to 21 people who reported regularly smoking. They posed two scenarios. In one, they measured what happened in the brain after asking smokers to think about the immediate rewards of smoking, for example the first drag on a cigarette, how the smoke would feel entering the lungs, or the sensation of smoke curling out of the mouth. In the second scenario smokers were asked to imagine the long-term consequences of smoking - health problems associated with it - such as emphysema or heart disease. By way of comparison, the same was done with food. Study respondents were shown photos of delectable, fatty foods and asked to think about the short-term rewards (how great the food would taste), and the long-term consequences (obesity, diabetes, heart disease) while their brain activity was measured. Turns out, something as simple as focusing on the long-term consequences of smoking (or eating fatty foods) could control the craving. "This gives us a biological explanation for how cognitive regulation of craving works," said Hedy Kober, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and the study's lead author. "By changing the way they think about cigarettes in moments of craving, by focusing on the negative long-term consequences, [smokers] can reduce craving and change their own brain activity." Two areas of the brain are at work when we crave things - the prefrontal cortex and the ventral striatum. The prefrontal cortex is an area associated with reasoning and the ventral striatum is associated with emotion, desire, and craving. Among study participants, successfully curbing cravings involved activating the reasoning part of the brain more than the craving-driven region. Except re-wiring the brain, re-shaping how one thinks about craving, is far from simple - it is a long process. And then there are important questions about the biological underpinnings of addiction. Still, study authors say that thinking differently is powerful therapy. "It takes a sustained, continuous effort," said Ochsner. "It is teaching you a new kind of emotional response instead of just going reflexively. It's slow and painful but we absolutely have the potential to do it." soundoff (3,494 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 Next »Leave a Reply to AqcfTeneseelt
Next entry »More cases of dengue fever popping up in Florida
« Previous entryStudy: Early high cholesterol can signal trouble
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
https://tieba.baidu.com/mo/q/checkurl?url=https://beaup04a4.angelinsblog.com/4037004/the-smart-trick-of-metal-roofing-for-sale-near-me-that-nobody-is-discussing
Good site you've got here.. Itís difficult to find high quality writing like yours these days. I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
http://www.peterblum.com/releasenotes.aspx?returnurl=https://hector2y5w4.tkzblog.com/3495249/the-2-minute-rule-for-rv-repair-near-me/
I really like it when folks come together and share thoughts. Great blog, keep it up!
http://raymondi79m8.aioblogs.com/54184513/the-fact-about-eyeglasses-exam-that-no-one-is-suggesting
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It is the little changes which will make the most significant changes. Thanks for sharing!
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/reauexit.cfm?link=https://cashp41j1.blogthisbiz.com/5789547/time-for-kitchen-transforming-five-signs-that-provide-you-with-it-is-time-to-remodel
I think this is one of the so much important info for me.
And i'm happy studying your article. But want to commentary on some basic things,
The web site taste is wonderful, the articles is in reality great : D.
Good process, cheers
http://yellowpages.sfexaminer.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=luftfahrwerk-flügeltüren.de/gaestebuch.html?start=5440
podiatrist
Excellent web site you've got here.. Itís difficult to find high quality writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
http://dharmawantsyou.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.xyz
Thẳng Bóng Đá Hôm Nay, Liên Kết Coi Soccer Trực Tuyến 24hbxh anhTheo thể thức thi đấu, đội thắng ở cặp đấu này sẽ giành tấm vé đến Lithuania vào ngày hội bóng đá lớn nhất thế giới mang đến futsal. Tuyển futsal Việt Nam bước vào trận play-off lượt đi tranh vé dự play-off World Cup 2021 với sự tự tin. Tuy vậy, HLV Phạm Minh Giang bày tỏ, toàn đội không ngán Lebanon tuy nhiên sẽ tìm cách để khắc chế sức mạnh của đối thủ bởi bên trên băng ghế huấn luyện là nhà cầm quân Ramiro Lopez, người từng dẫn dắt futsal Tây Ban Nha.|Dựa vào lịch thi đấu, bạn hoàn toàn có thể sắp xếp làm việc
https://questiontime.info/detail/ltdbd-101729.html
gyros
Hi there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you have got here on this post. I'll be coming back to your website for more soon.
https://www.etunsw.asn.au/Redirect.aspx?destination=http://newrvowners.com
http://lonevelde.lovasok.hu/out_link.php?url=https://ocrv.art
There is definately a lot to know about this issue. I love all of the points you have made.
http://www.circledrive.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.fleetservicerepairshop.com
http://maps.google.co.zm/url?q=http://fleetservicesocrv.com/
I'm more than happy to uncover this site. I want to to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every part of it and I have you saved to fav to look at new information on your site.
http://www.openmypc.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.art
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It's the little changes that will make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!
http://neilprydemaui.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com/
https://juicystudio.com/services/readability.php?url=https://sprintervanrepairnearme.com/
https://directory.hawaiitribune-herald.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=commercialrepairshop.com
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
http://sulekhalive.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.campervanrepairshop.com
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much
the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!
My homepage ... gamewin88 slot
http://keyscan.cn.edu/AuroraWeb/Account/SwitchView?returnUrl=https://ocrvmotorsports.com
http://www.doctorwoo.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvluxurycoaches.com
https://www.dartn.de/redirect/?url=http://fleetservicesocrv.com/
Saved as a favorite, I like your blog!
http://apps.vienna.at/feat/microsite/webcams/welcome.asp?url=ocrvparts.com
http://pansinilawfirm.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvfleetservices.com/
http://webservices.icodes.co.uk/transfer2.php?location=https://www.campervanrepairshop.com
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I believe that you ought to write more about this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but generally folks don't speak about such topics. To the next! All the best!!
http://www.linkestan.com/frame-click.asp?url=https://orangecountyrvrepair.com
Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
https://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&url=https://www.fleetvehiclerepairshop.com/&cc=in&setmkt=en-in&setlang=kn-in
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest of the site is also very good.
http://xiuang.tw/debug/frm-s/www.ocrv.club/
You've made some good points there. I checked on the internet for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
https://www.drachenzaehmenleichtgemacht.at/notice.php?url=https://campervanrepairshop.com
There's definately a lot to learn about this topic. I love all the points you have made.
http://gvomail.com/redir.php?k=1560a19819b8f93348a7bc7fc28d0168&url=https://fleetrepairshops.com/
http://riverj81r9.ezblogz.com/31381956/the-best-side-of-dodge-sprinter-repair
http://rylang71w3.blog-gold.com/5638578/details-fiction-and-repair-shop
That is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate infoÖ Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
http://www.bshare.cn/share?url=https://andyx25b3.thelateblog.com/4972140/what-does-video-marketing-consultants-mean
buy cialis online cialis and depoxitine levitra vs cialis vs viagra
https://telemail.jp/_pcsite/?des=015660&gsn=0156603&url=www.reviewnearme.com
Hello there, I do believe your site could be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful website!
https://plusone.google.com/url?sa=j&rct=j&url=https3A2F2Fbestservicenearme.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaY_nlK9ozc51fqwjiVdMaYZL7rg
us online pharmacy viagra true rx pharmacy most trusted canadian pharmacy
http://dreamsmeaning.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bonus-books.com/
http://www.klausjewelry.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bulknearme.com
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I've got you book-marked to look at new stuff you postÖ
http://www.thecatstowel.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=nearmyspot.com
america rx pharmacy Micardis anti-depressants
http://girlsinstem.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.bestshopnearme.com
how soon before sex should i take cialis generic cialis coupons order cialis india
http://www.love.okchatroom.com/lovelove/link.php?url=http://www.nearmyspot.com
You're so awesome! I don't suppose I've truly read through anything like that before. So nice to discover somebody with original thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!
http://www.rsfluxury.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bjsnearme.com
https://remontmix.ru/out?t=1&mid=19521&url=https://www.bonus-books.com/
http://auzentech.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=masternearme.com/