If you have tried to stop smoking in the past, you are probably wondering how effective it is going to be to help you quit.
As a retired nurse practising as a hypnotherapist for over 17 years, I want to answer your question.
What is hypnotherapy?
We know that hypnosis is real as it can be seen activating different parts of the brain.
It’s a natural state.
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis and therapy to help you quit smoking.
Hypnotherapy involves imagination, suggestion and focused attention where you become more receptive to new ideas.
You can learn to hypnotise yourself, or you can use the services of a hypnotherapist who will go through a process to guide you to the hypnotic state.
The dangers of smoking
We all know that smoking cigarettes is terrible for our health. But not everyone knows how they can affect our health and well-being.
Here is a list of increased risks related to stopping smoking:
- Cancer in many parts of the body
- Heart disease and high blood pressure
- Lung disease
- Strokes
- Cataracts
- Premature death
The good news is that many problems can be reversed when you stop smoking.
What do we mean by effective smoking cessation?
Effective hypnotherapy to help people stop smoking is about success rates, as people want to know if it is worth spending money to see a hypnotherapist.
However, the problem is that success rates can be measured differently and at different times with different people.
What does the research say?
As a therapist, I always want to look at the evidence first, so here are some research papers that provide some answers.
- A recent 2024 study reviewing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Hypnotherapy showed that:
In terms of the continuous abstinence rates, it can be concluded that the efficacy of hypnotherapeutic methods for smoking cessation seem to be comparable to established programs such as CBT.
- In 2022, a meta-study found that hypnotherapy significantly increases smoking cessation success.
- One study in 2021 showed an 86% success rate after six months of online hypnosis.
- In 2020, a study by Hamid et al. showed that hypnotherapy is effective in reducing smoking intensity in adolescents.
- A 2019 meta-analysis. This paper examined 14 studies, finding that hypnosis is as effective as behavioural interventions.
- A 2014 study compared Nicotine replacement therapy and hypnotherapy with 160 smokers who had lung disease. They found that the hypnotherapy was more effective after three and six-month checks.
- A 2012 meta-analysis of random-controlled trials suggested that acupuncture and hypnotherapy are two ways to help people quit smoking.
- In 1993, a study found that 226 smokers stopped smoking in one session. They measured the success rates, and two years later, 23% of the participants were still non-smokers.
However, a 2019 Cochrane report states that there is insufficient evidence to say that hypnotherapy is more effective than other ways to help people stop smoking. They suggest that more research is needed.
A 2024 systematic review of hypnotherapy by Agrawl to help stop smoking found that hypnotherapy has the potential to change behaviours related to smoking but that its effectiveness as a standalone therapy is inconclusive.
Therefore, the research says that hypnotherapy has been effective in studies, but more quality research and extensive studies are needed. One key point is when the studies measure the effectiveness because an intervention could be excellent if measured a week after the intervention but might not show effectiveness a year after.
If you need more evidence of success, you could look for anecdotal evidence from past clients.
Is hypnotherapy to stop smoking more effective if there are combined methods?
Yes, according to some studies, mixing hypnotherapy with other things such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), behaviour modifications, and nicotine replacement does seem to offer benefits.
Is hypnotherapy effective when delivered online?
Yes, and many hypnotherapists claim that it is effective when delivered online.
I believe that it depends on the client and the therapist. If both are happy to work online, the hypnotherapist is skilled, and the client develops a good rapport, the therapy should have the best results.
How can hypnotherapy help people stop smoking?
We do not know precisely how hypnotherapy works, but with stopping smoking, there are several key areas that a hypnotherapist may address.
- Psychoeducation.
- The behavioural aspects of smoking. This includes changing the habit.
- The addiction. This is related to motivation and the continued desire to quit.
- The psychological and social impact of smoking.
How many sessions does it take to stop smoking with hypnotherapy?
This will depend on the client and the therapist, but one or two sessions are typical.
How clients can improve their outcome to stop smoking
Stopping smoking is often a life-changing event, especially if you have been smoking for many years. However, you can increase your chances of stopping smoking by adopting as many of these behaviours as you can before quitting.
- Do your research and find out how cigarettes can damage your health.
- Decide on a date to quit when you have fewer stressors.
- Write down the date that you will quit and sign it.
- Start to tell yourself that you will succeed this time.
- Imagine yourself as a non-smoker.
- Choose a hypnotherapist with whom you feel comfortable. Maybe chat with them first and ask questions.
- Remove all smoking paraphernalia and cigarettes before your hypnotherapy session.
- Start to change the habit by smoking less or smoking in a different place.
In conclusion, the effectiveness of hypnotherapy to stop smoking depends on several factors- the therapist, the client, and the right time to quit.
For more information on stopping smoking with hypnotherapy, contact me for a free initial consultation.
