A Hypnotherapist On…Dopamine - Sleep Magic: Sleep Hypnosis & Meditation for Sleep Podcast

Sleep Magic: "A Hypnotherapist On…Dopamine"

Host: Jessica Porter
Date: October 12, 2025
Theme: Exploring the role of dopamine in self-soothing, addiction, and how hypnotherapy can help listeners access restorative, self-generated calm.

Episode Overview

Jessica Porter, hypnotherapist and host of Sleep Magic, shares her perspective on the science and psychology of dopamine—specifically, how understanding our own “inner chemistry set” can empower us to self-soothe, break free from addiction, and find deeper, more restorative sleep. Framing dopamine not just as a “reward molecule” but as a self-created state, Jessica guides listeners through rethinking their relationship to comfort, pleasure, and mental wellbeing.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Dopamine as Self-Made Reward (00:12–03:10)

Jessica opens by recalling her early days as a hypnotherapist, helping clients quit smoking.
She explains that many clients speak of cigarettes as "my best friend" or a comfort in times of stress.
Key Insight: The act of smoking isn’t about the cigarette, but about “self-soothing” and accessing the body’s own dopamine.
Dopamine is defined as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone.
Memorable Analogy:
- “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and also a hormone that signals a reward to the brain. It's a good feeling that we give ourselves… we're getting high on our own supply.” (Jessica Porter, 01:07)
Jessica explains that substances like cigarettes, heroin, or even chocolate don't contain dopamine: they trigger us to release it.
“Addictions are really sort of roundabout ways of getting to our own dopamine. And wouldn't it be nice to just get straight to the dopamine, without the messy addiction?” (Jessica Porter, 01:54)

2. Hypnosis and Addiction—Disentangling Dopamine (02:30–03:53)

Hypnosis is effective in quitting smoking because it helps the client “secrete their own dopamine, to disentangle it from the cigarette.”
The hypnotherapist’s role is to help clients realize that “they've been soothing themselves the whole time and no cigarette is actually necessary anymore.”
Jessica positions this insight for all listeners:
- “You're going to secrete all the good chemicals that you think you get from things outside of you. Your chemistry set has always been inside of you and always will be.”
- Playful encouragement: “Isn't it about time you got to play with it?” (Jessica Porter, 03:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Cigarettes do not contain dopamine, nor does heroin or even chocolate, my favorite. They trigger our dopamine, but we supply the dopamine ourselves.” – Jessica Porter, 01:30
“So addictions are really sort of roundabout ways of getting to our own dopamine.” – Jessica Porter, 01:54
“Your chemistry set has always been inside of you and always will be. Isn't it about time you got to play with it?” – Jessica Porter, 03:38

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:12 – Episode opens: Jessica introduces her background in smoking cessation and self-soothing
01:07 – Explanation of dopamine as a self-produced neurotransmitter and hormone
01:30 – Clarifying that substances only trigger, not provide, dopamine
01:54 – Addictive behaviors as indirect paths to dopamine
02:30 – Hypnosis helps separate dopamine from addictive triggers
03:38 – Empowering the listener: Access your “chemistry set” internally

Episode Tone & Style

Jessica maintains a warm, encouraging, and relatable tone. She uses personal anecdotes and gentle humor (“chocolate, my favorite”) to demystify scientific concepts. Her language is supportive, consistently inviting listeners to feel empowered about their ability to influence their own wellbeing.

Summary Flow

This episode focuses on reframing our understanding of comfort and habit. Jessica explains that dopamine—the brain’s “reward” molecule—is not something we get from the outside world, but a feeling we produce internally. By highlighting the connection between addictive habits and dopamine, she leads listeners to the empowering realization that, through practices like hypnosis, we can self-soothe in healthier, more direct ways. For anyone struggling with restless thoughts, dependency, or insomnia, this episode offers a gentle invitation: discover the magic of your own mind and reclaim your innate peace.

Transcript

A (0:12)

So, discovering your dopamine. When I first started my hypnotherapy practice, I focused mainly on clients who wanted to quit smoking. I had given up a two pack a day habit myself using hypnosis, so it was an area I felt very comfortable in. And when I first met with a client, I would talk to them about self soothing. You see, many of them describe their relationship to cigarettes in these very personal terms, like, cigarettes are my best friend or cigarettes help me to handle things. And that's when it made sense to talk about self soothing and specifically the role that dopamine plays in the addiction to cigarettes. You see, we all have dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and also a hormone that signals a reward to the brain. It's a good feeling that we give ourselves. And it's important to understand that we supply our own dopamine. It doesn't even exist outside of us. Like, cigarettes do not contain dopamine, nor does heroin or even chocolate, my favorite. They trigger our dopamine, but we supply the dopamine ourselves. We're getting high on our own supply. So addictions are really sort of roundabout ways of getting to our own dopamine. And wouldn't it be nice to just get straight to the dopamine without the messy addiction? So one of the reasons that hypnosis is very effective with smoking cessation is that it helps the client to secrete their own dopamine, to disentangle it from the cigarette, and to help the client see that they've been soothing themselves the whole time and no cigarette is actually necessary anymore. So we're going to practice self soothing. You are going to secrete all the good chemicals that you think you get from things outside of you. Your chemistry set has always been inside of you and always will be. Isn't it about time you got to play with it? Before we get started, let's hear a quick word from our sponsors who make this free content possible. Therapy can be such a powerful tool when you're going through hard times. But let's be honest, even getting started can feel overwhelming. Do you go in person or online? Will it be covered by your insurance? And how long are you supposed to wait for help? That's why I love Rula. They're a healthcare company that partners with over 100 insurance plans. For most people, sessions via rula are about $15, and for some, the copay is as little as $0. As well as being accessible, Rula makes it easy by matching you with licensed in Network Therapists based on your preferences and goals. You don't have to wait months. Appointments are often available as soon as the next day and Rula stays with you throughout your journey to make sure you're getting the support you need. Therapy should feel accessible, affordable and supportive, not stressful. Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high quality therapy that's actually covered by Insurance. Visit rula.com sleepmagic to get started. After you sign up, you'll be asked how you heard about them. Please support our show and let them know we sent you. That's r u l a.com sleepmagic. You deserve mental health care that works with you, not against your budget. When those first fall nights roll in, don't you just want your bed to feel like the coziest place in the world? That was exactly me a few weeks ago and it sent me straight to Quince. If you haven't tried Quince yet, their cotton sheets are buttery, soft, breathable and naturally temperature regulating. And honestly, they feel like they're looking after me like they've got my back at bedtime. And the duvet. Let me tell you, my new one from Quince has this perfect plush weight. It's like being wrapped up without ever feeling weighed down. Now slipping into bed really has become the highlight of my day and what surprised me most? The price. Quince offers high end bedding at about half the price of similar brands and they do it by working directly with top factories that use safe and ethical practices. Make your bed the coziest place in the house this fall with quince. Go to quince.com sleepmagic for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U I N C E.com sleepmagic free shipping and 365 day returns quince.com/sleepmagic.