End your cravings for chocolate by simply paying more attention to your thoughts say scientists Individual is encouraged to create a mental distance both between themselves and their thoughts It is the news that chocoholics have been waiting to hear - scientists have found a 'cure' to end chocolate cravings. Unfortunately, it involves will power and some strict mental discipline. Scientists believe they have discovered the secret to cutting down your chocolate consumption. Scientists say that the mind has the power to end chocolate cravings - but chocoholics may find this easier said than done Chocoholics who find it impossible to stop themselves from indulging in their favourite treat should turn to a technique called 'cognitive defusion', they say. Essentially, the process involves learning to recognise that 'you are not your thoughts' so you become better at resisting temptation. Dr Katy Tapper, of City University London, and Kim Jenskins, of Swansea University, said their findings could help many people seeking to switch to healthier diets. 'The relatively simple nature of the strategy means it could be usefully incorporated into existing weight loss and healthy eating interventions,' they wrote in the online version of the British Journal of Health Psychology. Explaining the technique, they wrote: 'In cognitive defusion, the individual is not asked to change their thoughts in any way, but may instead be asked to simply notice their thoughts and to visualise themselves as different from their thoughts. 'You are not your thoughts': The process is called 'cognitive defusion' In this way, the individual is encouraged to create a mental distance both between themselves and their thoughts, and between their thoughts and reality. The research involved 135 participants, mostly female, who responded to email or poster advertisements asking for volunteers who wanted to cut their chocolate consumption. A third were taught cognitive defusion through being asked to imagine they were the driver of a 'minibus' and any difficult thoughts about chocolate should be seen as awkward passengers. Participants had to choose a way to deal with the thoughts or passengers and practise it for five minutes. Another group of one third were taught the technique of 'acceptance' or 'urge surfing'. They were told to 'ride the wave' of their chocolate cravings, accepting and observing their feelings rather than giving in or trying to defeat them. Participants were encouraged to create a mental distance between themselves and their thoughts A third group of 45 were taught a relaxation technique, involving tensing and then relaxing various muscles. Participants were then given a transparent bag of chocolates to keep with them at all times for five days and to keep a diary during this time of any other chocolate they ate. All had to try to avoid the urge to eat any chocolate. At the end of the study 45 per cent of both the 'urge surfing' and relaxation groups had eaten some chocolate. But only 27 per cent of the cognitive delusion group had given in to the temptation. They had eaten significantly less chocolate from the bag and less chocolate by the diary measure. Researchers also attempted to measure 'behavioural rebound' by inviting participants to eat as many chocolates as they liked from a bowl after the study was finished. The groups ate similar amounts, which the authors said showed the minibus group had not suffered a 'rebound' by eating more chocolate to compensate for previously cutting down. Results of a questionnaire indicated the minibus technique worked because it reduced mindless, automatic consumption of chocolate. 'Further research should help establish whether it can also be applied to other self-control-related behaviours such as alcohol consumption smoking cessation, and safe sex,' the authors added.