You can train your brain to control cravings

Washington, August 3 (ANI): The next time you crave for a cigarette, remind yourself what it will do to you in the long run - chances are - you may kick the butt, says a new study.

Yale University researcher Hedy Kober said that teaching cognitive strategies, such as thinking about the long-term consequences of smoking, could increase rational thinking in smokers.

They also show decreased drug craving and reward-seeking behaviour.

Cognitive behavioural therapy has been shown to be an effective tool in treating a variety of mental health disorders, including substance use disorders.

"We do not see any impairment in the prefrontal cortex, which suggests the brain is able, when prompted, to recruit control regions to reduce cravings," Kober said.

The find is published online Aug. 2 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (ANI)