Most people were stuck with folk remedies (holding your breath, drinking water upside down) or outdated prescriptions with harsh side effects.

But 2025 has changed the game.

Researchers and clinicians have uncovered six new ways to treat chronic hiccups—and some of these approaches are surprisingly simple, accessible, and fast-acting.

1. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) – Rewired for Relief

Originally developed to treat epilepsy and depression, VNS is now being explored for its hiccup-halting powers. By stimulating the vagus nerve (which plays a role in the hiccup reflex), small wearable devices can now help regulate diaphragm spasms in real time—without surgery or medication.

Early clinical trials are showing promise, especially for patients with neurological conditions linked to persistent hiccups.

2. Peppermint Nasal Inhalers – A Breath of Fresh Relief

Believe it or not, the humble peppermint plant might be your new best friend. Inhalers infused with concentrated peppermint oil have shown to relax the diaphragm and reset the hiccup reflex. These over-the-counter solutions are fast-acting and carry almost no side effects.

Best of all? They’re incredibly affordable.

3. Transcutaneous Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

No needles. No pills. Just magnetic pulses applied to specific points on the neck and upper chest. This new technique is gaining traction for targeting the brainstem circuits involved in hiccups.

Several hospitals now offer short outpatient TMS sessions, and users are reporting relief after just 2-3 treatments.

4. Botox—But Not Where You’d Expect

You’ve heard of Botox for wrinkles. But now it's being used to treat hiccups. Doctors are injecting tiny doses into the phrenic nerve or diaphragm muscles, helping reduce involuntary spasms that cause hiccups. The effects can last up to 3–6 months.

This is one of the more invasive methods—but for those with severe cases, it’s a game-changer.

5. Targeted Breathing Apps with AI Feedback

Yup—there’s an app for that. Several AI-powered breathing apps launched in late 2024 use real-time sensors (connected via wearable tech) to guide patients through precise breathwork exercises tailored to interrupt hiccup reflex arcs.

Many users say it feels like “hacking your own body.” And the results? In some cases, total hiccup cessation within minutes.

6. Gabapentin Microdosing

Used carefully and at low doses, gabapentin—typically prescribed for nerve pain—is emerging as a safer pharmacological option for stubborn hiccups. Doctors in 2025 are now prescribing microdoses, drastically reducing the side effects while still providing effective relief.

It's now being recommended as a frontline option in some clinics.