Dr. Jud Brewer
Dr. Jud Brewer
Habit Change Addiction - Craving Control: The Role of Mindfulness in Smoking Cessation
Habit Change Addiction - Craving Control: The Role of Mindfulness in Smoking Cessation
Habit Change Addiction - Craving Control: The Role of Mindfulness in Smoking Cessation
Saturday 6th December 2025
Explore how mindfulness training can transform cravings and aid smoking cessation in this engaging episode with Dr. Jud Brewer.
11 minutes
Informative
Inspiring
Hopeful
Educational
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Dr. Jud Brewer
Overview:
Categories:
Mindful Recovery
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Get the buttons here!Mindfulness: A Game Changer in Smoking Cessation
Episode Overview
- Mindfulness training can significantly reduce cigarette consumption for those with intense cravings.
- Craving intensity is more crucial than frequency in predicting smoking cessation success.
- Mindfulness creates a mental buffer between cravings and actions.
- The practice can apply to other habits like snacking or social media use.
- Ongoing support and diverse research representation are essential.
"It's not about never having a craving again. It's about learning to change your relationship with those cravings."
In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Jud Podcast, Dr. Jud Brewer, a renowned addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist, delves into the fascinating world of mindfulness and its impact on smoking cessation. With a blend of scientific research and practical advice, Dr. Jud explores how baseline craving strength can predict the success of smartphone app-based mindfulness training for those trying to quit smoking.
Listeners are treated to an engaging discussion about a 2019 study that involved 325 adult smokers divided into two groups: one receiving mindfulness training via a smartphone app, and the other serving as a control group. The findings reveal that individuals with higher craving scores at the outset benefited significantly from mindfulness training, smoking fewer cigarettes over six months. This suggests that mindfulness isn't just about reducing cravings but transforming one's response to them.
The episode also highlights the importance of craving intensity over frequency, offering insights into how mindfulness can create a mental buffer between the urge to smoke and the act itself. It's not about eradicating cravings but rather learning to manage them effectively, akin to building a mental muscle. Dr. Jud and his AI co-hosts touch on the broader implications of mindfulness beyond smoking, suggesting its potential to help with other habits like snacking or excessive social media use.
The episode underscores the necessity for ongoing support and diverse research representation, emphasising that while mindfulness is a powerful tool, it requires practice and dedication. If you're curious about how mindfulness can aid in overcoming addiction and bad habits, this episode offers a wealth of information and inspiration. Could mindfulness be the key to unlocking better self-control in various aspects of life?