Many wonder, what is the success rate of hypnosis for quitting smoking?
Good news! Multiple studies support the effectiveness of hypnosis for quitting smoking:
- In early 2025, a systematic review of 33 studies involving hypnotherapy for smoking cessation showed that 66.7% of the studies reported a positive impact from the hypnosis intervention for smoking cessation. Those studies had longer average treatment duration, greater number of hypnotherapy sessions, and utilized both self-report and objective measures of smoking cessation outcome. Ekanayake & Elkins, IJCEH
- A 2008 randomized controlled trial found that participants who used hypnosis in combination with nicotine patches had a 26% abstinence rate at 6 months, compared to 18% in the counseling group (Carmody et al., PubMed).
- A 2022 meta-analysis of 9 clinical trials concluded that hypnotherapy increases the success of smoking cessation in active adult smokers (Gilch & Wozak, JHPB).
Hypnosis helps crush the habit!
While results vary depending on study design and follow-up periods, the data is very encouraging: for those who are truly ready to quit, hypnosis offers a path that addresses both the habit and its emotional roots.
What does it take to get results? A genuine desire for change, a willingness to follow through on making changes in a range of behaviors, and dedication to your own new positive habits will help you succeed.
Many people who want to quit smoking have already tried multiple methods: nicotine patches, gum, medications, even sheer willpower. While some find short-term success, many relapse and feel disheartened, caught in a cycle that’s hard to break. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it’s not a matter of weakness or lack of discipline. The issue often lies deeper, in the subconscious patterns that keep the habit alive.
That’s where hypnotherapy comes in. Hypnosis for smoking cessation isn’t about giving up control—it’s about reclaiming it by addressing the inner programming that fuels cravings, routines, and beliefs around smoking. Even online, hypnotherapy can be a deeply transformative approach, helping people shift from the inside out.
At Christine Brodmerkel Hypnotherapy, I understand that letting go of the smoking habit is serious business. I offer personalized sessions in person and via Zoom that guide you toward lasting freedom—without shame or struggle.
Can Hypnosis Really Help Me Quit Smoking?
Despite its portrayal in movies and stage shows, hypnosis is not about being unconscious or manipulated. In truth, it’s a heightened state of inner awareness where your attention is narrowed, and you become more open to helpful suggestions.
During hypnotherapy, you remain in control. You hear everything and can even respond or open your eyes at any time. But with your conscious mind relaxed, the door to your subconscious becomes more accessible—making it possible to revise patterns that have felt automatic for years.
When it comes to quitting smoking, hypnosis works by targeting the subconscious triggers, stories, and emotional associations that often drive the habit. A skilled hypnotherapist can help:
- Reduce cravings: Hypnotic suggestions lessen the urge to smoke by shifting the emotional and behavioral pull toward cigarettes.
- Reprogram beliefs: Over time, many smokers internalize thoughts like “I need a cigarette to relax” or “I’ve failed every time I’ve tried to quit.” Hypnotherapy helps replace these limiting beliefs with supportive, affirming ones.
- Boost motivation: Hypnosis increases your connection to your why—the deeper reasons you want to quit—which strengthens your internal commitment to change.
How Does Hypnotherapy Work for Quitting Smoking?
Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation typically includes several components:
- Relaxation Techniques: Inducing a calm state opens access to the subconscious mind.
- Visualization: You’ll be guided to imagine life as a non-smoker—feeling free, healthy, and empowered.
- Positive Suggestion: Your hypnotherapist offers carefully chosen suggestions aligned with your goals, like “I feel calm and in control without cigarettes.”
- Belief Rewiring: Outdated internal narratives like “I’m not strong enough to quit” are replaced with confidence and self-trust.
At Christine Brodmerkel Hypnotherapy, every session is tailored to your unique experience. Together, we clarify what’s kept the habit in place and create a new pattern that serves your health and freedom. We work directly with your challenges and your circumstances to create a customized set of suggestions to rewire your subconscious mind.
It's important to remember that hypnosis is not a magic bullet. Combined with other smoking cessation methods such as nicotine replacement therapy, support groups, or behavioral counseling, and implementing lifestyle changes increases success for most clients.
What influences the Success Rate of Hypnosis for Quitting Smoking?
Hypnotherapy is most successful when several key factors are in place:
- Your motivation: A sincere desire to quit creates the opening for lasting change. Next, following the hypnotherapy program and using recordings according to the directions and making some lifestyle choices helps transform your motivation into concrete changes.
- Therapist experience: A skilled hypnotherapist knows how to guide you into deeper receptivity and help surface the root patterns behind the habit. A program with multiple sessions has been seen to have a greater effect.
- Support system: Combining hypnosis with tools like nicotine replacement, support groups, and encouragement from family and friends can strengthen your success.
For many people who’ve tried everything else, hypnosis feels like the missing piece—because it works from the inside out.
Cost of Hypnotherapy for Smoking Cessation
The cost of hypnotherapy for smoking cessation can vary depending on your location, therapist experience, and the number of sessions required. A recent survey showed a range from $500 to $1500 depending on the program and the qualifications.
At Christine Brodmerkel Hypnotherapy, I offer an affordable 30-minute consultation for $19 to help you explore whether my smoking cessation program is right for you. In that time I'll also share the details of our program and you'll have time to ask questions.
Finding the Best Hypnotherapist for Quitting Smoking
If you're considering hypnosis for quitting smoking, choose someone who has a program and the qualifications to support you through your journey:
- Holds certification from a reputable board (e.g., International Board of Hypnotherapy)
- Has specific experience helping clients quit smoking
- Offers a consultation so you can ask questions and feel comfortable
Final Thoughts: Let go of the Habit...for Good!
Quitting smoking is a powerful act of self-care. If you’re ready to reclaim your health, your breath, and your freedom, hypnosis can offer a gentle yet powerful path forward.
Through personalized, supportive guidance, you can quiet the cravings, release the emotional grip, and step into a future that feels clearer, cleaner, and more truly your own.
My program has the structure that has helped many people succeed, and is customized for you and your unique situation to address what keeps you from letting go of the habit.
Empower Your Health and Well-Being: Book Your Consultation Now!
Schedule your 30-minute consultation for just $19. During our call, we’ll explore your goals, talk through your past efforts, and discover how hypnosis can help you create lasting change—from the inside out.
In this session, we'll delve into your goals, answer your questions about hypnosis for smoking cessation, and discuss how our personalized online hypnotherapy via Zoom can lead you to your lasting success.
Book your consultation today to see how online hypnosis can be effective for smoking cessation.
Beyond Hypnosis: Resources for Quitting Smoking
While hypnosis can be a valuable tool, it's not the only option available. Here are some additional resources to support your smoke-free journey:
- Smokefree.gov – Personalized Quit Plans & Tools
A National Cancer Institute/HHS site offering tailored quitting plans, apps, texting programs, and tips for managing cravings and setbacks—ideal for all quit stages freedomfromsmoking.org. - American Lung Association – Freedom From Smoking®
A proven program available in online, in‑person, or self‑help formats. Includes a self-paced course plus optional live chat and phone support Lung.org. - American Cancer Society – Empowered to Quit
A free, customizable email program that delivers daily motivation, planning tools, and relapse prevention strategies from ACS experts Cancer.org. - Truth Initiative – BecomeAnEX & EX Program
A Mayo Clinic–backed digital quitting platform with online community, coaching, and medication support—perfect for self-paced quitting Exprogram.com. - American Academy of Family Physician's offers a helpful guide outlining, in detail, Five Key Steps to help you become smoke free. Access the free guide here: American Academy of Family Physician's Quit Smoking Guide.
