Smoking hypnotherapy: frequent questions

Short answers. Citations live on the linked pages.

Q: Does hypnotherapy work for quitting smoking? A: Cochrane 2019 found insufficient evidence that it beats other behavioural support or unassisted quitting. If a benefit exists, it is small at most. The cluster is Grade B.

Q: Doesn't research show 90% success? A: No controlled trial in that review supports a 90% one-session rate. See the 90% claim.

Q: One session or several? A: Trials are not one dose. Carmody 2008 used two 60-minute sessions plus patches and calls. Marketing one-session claims are not that protocol. See single versus multi-session.

Q: Should I use nicotine patches too? A: Carmody studied hypnosis with patches versus counselling with patches. Combining behavioural support with first-line medicines is consistent with how that trial was built. Replacing medicines because of a hypnosis session is not what the trial tested.

Q: Is this the same as stage hypnosis? A: No. A clinical stop-smoking session is suggestion work, not a performance. See suggestion.

Q: Can it replace my GP or a stop-smoking medicine? A: No. Quitting smoking is a medical priority. This wiki is not a prescription.

Q: Where is treatment booked? A: Not in this wiki body. The clinic handshake after the article is the path to Norwest care when those fields are set.

This page is informational only. It is not personal medical advice.