See How Smoking Prematurely Ages the Skin!

Tim Shurr • June 10, 2021

There are so many harmful effects caused by smoking that it’s hard to decide where to start listing them. From  health complications after surgery  to  brain damage , and  even inflicting harm on our pets , the list can go on. Smoking is also believed to  contribute to skin aging , and now a  new study  on twins shows that smoking can indeed cause premature wrinkling and other characteristics of accelerated aging.

Researchers scouted for twins at the annual  Twin Days Festival , in Twinsburg, Ohio, to find pairs in which one twin smoked and the other didn’t, or both smoked, but with a five-year difference between initiation. They found 79 twins, of whom 57 were women, altogether with an average age of 48 years old. Close-up photos of each participants face were shown to a group of plastic surgeons, who had no knowledge of each participants’ smoking history. They were told to point out “specific components of facial aging” that were related to smoking, and 57 percent of the time, they were able to spot the smoking twin.

(Above: The twin on the left is a non-smoker. The twin on the right smoked for 29 years, as seen by aging around the eyes.)

“Smoking makes you look old. That’s all there is to it,” Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, a dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, and who wasn’t involved in the study,  told Reuters. Besides lung cancer, heart attacks, and strokes, just one more good reason to stop smoking is that it’s definitely making you look a lot older.”

The various indicators of aging that the surgeons found included: more sagging of the upper eyelids, baggier lower eyelids and bags under the eyes; more facial wrinkles, including lines between the nose and mouth, wrinkling of the upper and lower lips, and sagging chins. Signs of aging were most pronounced on the lower parts of the face, with those whose difference was more than five years showing even more signs, the researchers said.

(Above: Both twins smoked, however, the one on the right smoked for 14 years longer, as seen by more facial wrinkles.)

“It is noteworthy that even among sets of twins where both are smokers, a difference in five years or more of smoking duration can cause visibly identifiable changes in facial aging,” they wrote.

The results held true even when environmental factors, such as work stress, alcohol consumption, and sunscreen use were accounted for. They also said that they could not control for the effect of smoking on fat distribution. A U.K. study found that “smokers on average have a lower body mass index than non-smokers.”

Study author Dr. Bahman Guyuron suggested facial creams and plastic surgery for people who have already damaged their skin from smoking, but told Reuters that the goal of the study was to encourage people never to start in the first place. “We are hoping that by again emphasizing the harms that come from smoking, we can dissuade individuals from smoking … knowing how much it may damage their skin,” he said.

Smoking kills more than five million people each year around the world, and is responsible for nearly 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, according to the  National Institutes of Health. It also increases the risk for cancer by up to 23 times for men and 13 times for women,  according to the U.S. Cenetrs for Disease Control and Prevention , putting them at risk for cancer of the lips, oral cavity, esophagus, and many more.

If you want a relaxing and more effective way to stop smoking, call Indy Hypnosis today and schedule a Free Hypnosis Evaluation! 317-579-7500

Athletes Reveal How Hypnosis Improves Sports Performance

By Tim Shurr • September 23, 2025
The difference between winning and losing in sports often comes down to more than physical strength or skill. At the highest levels, athletes know that the real edge lies in the mind. Confidence, focus, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are what separate champions from the rest of the field. At Indy Hypnosis, athletes are finding that hypnosis provides the mental boost they need to reach new levels of performance. Sports psychologists have long said that competition is as much a mental game as a physical one. Even the best training can fall apart when nerves take over or self-doubt creeps in. Hypnosis addresses these mental blocks directly by reprogramming the subconscious mind to respond with confidence, clarity, and determination. One young athlete came to Indy Hypnosis struggling with performance anxiety. On practice days, he excelled. But when it was time to compete, his nerves took control and his results fell short. After a series of hypnosis sessions, he broke through the mental barrier and went on to set five new personal records. “I didn’t feel nervous anymore,” he explained. “I felt like I could just do what I had trained to do.” Professional and recreational athletes alike report similar stories. Golfers find their swing more consistent. Runners feel a newfound endurance. Weightlifters hit personal bests without the voice of doubt holding them back. What all these athletes share is the realization that once the mind stops working against them, their natural ability shines. Hypnosis also helps with recovery. Injuries often leave behind not only physical scars but also mental ones. An athlete recovering from a torn ligament may hesitate, afraid of pushing too hard and risking another injury. Through hypnosis, those fears can be reframed, allowing the athlete to return with full confidence and a stronger focus on healing. Science backs up what these athletes describe. Studies show that hypnosis can improve concentration, reduce stress hormones, and increase motivation. By visualizing success under hypnosis, athletes create mental “rehearsals” that make the real event feel familiar, boosting confidence and performance on game day. For many, the biggest surprise is how natural the shift feels. They do not have to force positivity or pretend to be confident. Instead, confidence emerges as the default setting. “It wasn’t about tricking my brain,” one athlete shared. “It was about finally trusting myself.” Sports are built on fine margins, and those margins are often mental. With hypnosis, athletes are discovering that the edge they have been searching for has been inside them all along—waiting to be unlocked. If you are ready to take your performance to the next level, schedule a free consultation with Indy Hypnosis today and discover how hypnosis can help you win from the inside out.

Conquer Stress and Lower Anxiety With a Proven Hypnosis Method

By Tim Shurr • September 19, 2025
Stress has become the background noise of modern life. From deadlines at work to family responsibilities and the constant buzz of technology, it is no wonder that anxiety levels are at an all-time high. For many people, the pressure feels relentless, and traditional coping strategies like deep breathing or exercise often provide only temporary relief. At Indy Hypnosis, clients are discovering that hypnosis offers a deeper, more lasting solution. Unlike quick fixes, hypnosis works by calming the mind at its source. Stress is not just a reaction to circumstances; it is also the product of thought patterns that magnify worry and fear. The subconscious mind, which governs much of our emotional response, often gets stuck in loops of “what if” thinking. Hypnosis gently interrupts those loops, replacing them with calmer, more empowering messages. Clients frequently describe their sessions as surprisingly peaceful. One woman said it felt like “an hour-long vacation for my brain.” By the end, her racing thoughts had slowed, and she carried that calm with her long after the session was over. Another client, who had battled panic attacks for years, reported that the intensity and frequency of her episodes decreased dramatically after beginning hypnosis. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, she now feels in control. Science supports these experiences. Studies show that hypnosis can lower heart rate, ease tension, and reduce cortisol, the stress hormone that wreaks havoc on the body. This makes it more than just a mental shift; it is a full-body reset. Clients often notice they sleep better, concentrate more easily, and approach daily challenges with a clearer head. Perhaps the most striking difference is how natural it feels. Instead of forcing relaxation, hypnosis allows the mind to release its grip on anxious thoughts. As one client explained, “It wasn’t about pushing stress away. It was like my brain finally remembered how to relax.” Stress and anxiety do not have to rule life. With the One Belief Away Method, people are finding that the heavy burden of worry can be lifted, replaced with a steady confidence that carries them through each day. If you are ready to quiet the noise of stress and experience lasting calm, schedule your free consultation with Indy Hypnosis today. Relief is closer than you think.

Stop Smoking for Good With Hypnosis That Works

By Tim Shurr • September 19, 2025
For decades, quitting smoking has been one of the hardest challenges people face. Nicotine patches, chewing gum, prescription medications, and countless “quit plans” have promised results, yet relapse rates remain high. Many smokers desperately want to stop, but the grip of addiction seems stronger than sheer willpower. At Indy Hypnosis, however, clients are finding a path to freedom that feels both possible and permanent. The secret lies in addressing the mind, not just the habit. Smoking is not only a physical addiction but also a deeply ingrained behavioral pattern. For many, lighting up is tied to stress relief, social rituals, or even simple routines like a morning coffee. Trying to stop without addressing these subconscious connections often leads to frustration and relapse. Through hypnosis, those patterns begin to shift. The subconscious mind, which controls much of our automatic behavior, can be reprogrammed to disconnect cigarettes from their old triggers. Instead of fighting the urge every time stress arises, clients find the desire to smoke naturally fading. One client who smoked for thirty years described the experience as “like flipping a switch.” After her session, she no longer craved cigarettes, and the thought of smoking felt out of place rather than tempting. Another powerful story came from Yovanna, who struggled with smoking for three decades. She had tried everything else and felt convinced she would never break free. After working with Indy Hypnosis, she walked away from cigarettes with a sense of calm rather than struggle. What surprised her most was how natural it felt. “I wasn’t forcing myself to quit,” she explained. “I just didn’t want to smoke anymore.” Beyond individual accounts, science has also shown hypnosis to be effective in smoking cessation. By directly addressing the subconscious, it bypasses the endless battle of willpower and offers a smoother path forward. Hospitals and clinics around the world now include hypnosis as part of smoking cessation programs, validating what clients at Indy Hypnosis have been experiencing for years. What makes this method stand out is not just the success of quitting but the permanence of the change. Instead of feeling deprived, clients feel free. Instead of counting days since their last cigarette, they begin building new routines filled with energy, confidence, and health. Breaking free from smoking is not about giving something up. It is about reclaiming life. Clients report breathing easier, feeling more energetic, and rediscovering a sense of control they thought they had lost forever. If you are ready to stop smoking for good and experience true freedom, schedule your free consultation with Indy Hypnosis today. The next chapter of your life can begin smoke-free.