Can Hypnosis Really Help You Quit Smoking? What the Research Actually Says

Hypnosis is not sleep, and it is not mind control. In a clinical setting, a trained professional guides you into a deeply relaxed state of focused attention. You stay aware of what is going on and in control of your choices. In that state, the practitioner offers suggestions designed to change how you think about cigarettes, manage cravings, or respond to stress.

One of the most cited studies comes from researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and UCSF, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research in 2008. It compared hypnosis with standard behavioral counseling in smokers. Of the 246 participants who completed the study, 125 were randomly assigned to hypnosis and 121 to counseling. After one year, 22 percent of the hypnosis group had stayed off cigarettes, compared with 15 percent of the counseling group, a difference the researchers considered statistically comparable.

In plain terms, hypnosis performed at least as well as a standard, accepted approach. The study also reported that among smokers with a history of depression, hypnosis did significantly better, at 27 percent versus 16 percent. The lead researcher was careful to say that the reason for that difference is not yet known. That is a clue worth following up, not a promise.

The published trial summary adds another data point. All participants also used nicotine patches, and at 6 months, 29% of the hypnosis group reported 7 day abstinence, versus 23% of the counseling group.

A fair article has to include the less exciting findings. A 2019 Cochrane review, which pools the best available trials, concluded that there is not enough evidence to say whether hypnotherapy works better than other forms of behavioral support for quitting. That doesn't mean hypnosis fails. It means the studies so far are too few and too varied to be conclusive.

Medical News Today takes a similar view. It says that hypnosis on its own is unlikely to help a person stop smoking, but it can still be a useful tool for people who are trying to quit.

So the honest summary is that hypnosis looks promising for some people, but it isn't proven to be better than other methods.

Quitting is not only about nicotine. It is also about habits, triggers, stress and the emotions that come with them. This is where hypnosis may have a role. Medical News Today notes that it may help manage withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety. It also points to a 2017 research review which found that combining hypnosis with other treatments may make those treatments more effective. WebMD gives similar guidance, noting that the best way to quit may be to combine several techniques.

Many people therefore use hypnosis alongside other proven supports, such as:

Nicotine replacement therapy or prescribed stop smoking medication.

Behavioral counseling or a quitline.

A written quit plan with a quit date.

Support from family, friends or a peer group.

Sessions are usually calm and conversational. A practitioner will typically ask about your smoking history, your triggers and your reasons for quitting. You are then guided into relaxation, and suggestions are tailored to your goals. Many people also learn a short self hypnosis or breathing exercise to use when a craving hits. Several sessions are common, and a single visit is rarely a cure.

This matters more than most people realize. WebMD advises that hypnosis for quitting should only be done by someone with a current license in a health care field. Look for a licensed doctor, psychologist or other credentialed health professional with specific training in clinical hypnosis. Be wary of anyone who guarantees success, quotes a magic percentage, or tells you to stop your medications.

No. Hypnosis works with your motivation, not against it. People who are ready to quit tend to get the most out of it.

When performed by a trained professional, hypnosis is generally considered low risk. Talk to your doctor first if you have a serious mental health condition.

Nobody can promise that. Responses vary from person to person, and the research can't predict who will benefit.

Hypnosis is not a miracle cure, and it is not a gimmick either. The best studies show it can perform as well as standard counseling for some smokers, while the broader reviews say the evidence is still limited. It is most promising as one part of a complete plan, delivered by a qualified professional. If you are thinking about quitting, start with a conversation with your doctor about all the options, including hypnosis, and build a plan that fits you.