Add meditation to the list of effective smoking-cession techniques. New research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse has found a form of the practice known as “mindfulness meditation” helps smokers quit.

In a new review of addiction studies, published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, the researchers said meditation may help smokers focus on intentions to quit..

"Early evidence suggests that exercises aimed at increasing self-control, such as mindfulness meditation, can decrease the unconscious influences that motivate a person to smoke," said Nora Volkow, M.D., director of the institute.

In one study cited by the review, a "body-mind training program that included relaxation training techniques" found it helped smokers improve self-control and ease their cravings for tobacco.

Other studies reviewed by the authors found meditation could reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as increase immune reactivity. Specific changes in the brain have also been identified, showing stronger connectivity between regions linked to self-control.

"Mindfulness meditation, as well as other strategies that are aimed at strengthening self-control, are likely to be useful for the management of addiction, but not necessarily for everybody," Dr. Volkow said.

"However, understanding how our brain works when we do interventions that strengthen self-control can also have multiple implications that relate to behaviors that are necessary for health and well-being."