This preliminary study attempted to test the efficacy of electrosleep therapy on hypnotic drug withdrawal. Among 89 outpatients complaining of chronic insomnia and receiving a heavy hypnotic drug treatment, an efficient withdrawal associated with a marked improvement of self-reported sleep was observed in 78% of cases, especially when insomnia was not related to medical aetiologies or to major psychiatric disorders. These results suggest further controlled studies to determine the magnitude of the placebo component in the effect observed.