Meditation and Smoking

The UW-CTRI meditation study was designed to examine how “mindfulness” meditation can help people quit smoking.

“Many participants who have started meditation have reported profound experiences,” said lead researcher Dr. James Davis. “We’ve seen people not only quit smoking, but begin daily exercise, change their diet, be more generous to others, increase their curiosity about life and improve relationships.”

Jim Powell, psychotherapist and meditation instructor, taught the meditation classes. In the class, participants learned how to handle craving episodes, internal triggers, external influences and withdrawal.

Results:

• Randomized Trial Comparing Mindfulness Training for Smokers to a Matched Control
• Randomized Trial on Mindfulness Training for Smokers Targeted to a Disadvantaged Population
• Pilot Randomized Trial on Mindfulness Training for Smokers In Young Adult Binge Drinkers
• The Role of Therapeutic Alliance In Mindfulness Interventions: Therapeutic Alliance In Mindfulness Training for Smokers