I can’t believe how many people have contacted me saying they’re really worried that the stop smoking laser will be painful.  I know it sounds a little scary, but it only takes a little bit of research to see that it works just like accupuncture, only without the scary needles.    If you live in an area where this is available, I definitely think it would be worth checking into.

I hadn’t realized this before, but the same laser clinics that can utilize the stop smoking laser can also use laser treatment to encourage weight loss, the same way hypnosis can.  This might be a great technique for someone really afraid of gaining weight when they give up cigarettes.  It’s just another way to use mind over matter!

Although insurance does not yet cover the cost of being treated by the stop smoking laser, this little tidbit of information might encourage you to try it anyway:

The average cost of Laser Treatment is $299-$349 (varies per State). BUT, a pack a day smoker spends approximately $1,500 annually, which is less than 1/3 of a person’s typical annual cigarette expenditure.

Makes you think!

Here is what the American Cancer Society has to say about the stop smoking laser:

“Cold laser therapy providers advertise this method as a way to help people quit smoking, and some TV stations have reported this as news. The treatment is supposed to relax the smoker and release endorphins (naturally-occurring pain relief substances) in the body to simulate the effects of nicotine in the brain, or balance the body’s energy to relieve the addiction. Despite claims of success by some cold laser therapy providers, there is no scientific evidence that shows this is an effective method of helping people stop smoking. “

Someone wrote in with this quandary:

“I love being a non smoker I have not had a cigarette since I got laser treatment a year ago, and I just think it was the greatest thing.  My sister says she wants to stop smoking but claims it cost too much (about same amount she spends on 1 month of cigs).  How can I convince her to try this technique?  Should I just pay for it for her as a gift?  I don’t know how it works but I am proof that it does work!”

Good for your sister for wanting to quit!  It’s great that you’re pointing out to her that the costs associated with laser treatment are equavalent to what she’s already using as ‘disposable income.’

Laser therapy works like accupuncture, only using a laser instead of needles to stimulate the pressure points.  It’s also risk-free – no side effects using the laser, as opposed to with many of the other available quitting smoking aids.  I don’t know about purchasing it for her as a gift, but if you have a lot of your own non-smoker disposable income, maybe you can go in halves with her as a sign that you believe it will work for her like it did for you!

I haven’t personally tried the stop smoking laser, but I’m pretty sure it’s not dangerous.  I know some people here ‘laser’ and they start thinking Star Trek and furtuistic weapons, but this kind of laser therapy works much like accupuncture.  The skin isn’t pierced or anything; from what I understand, the laser stimulates certain pressure points that encourage specific chemical reactions in the brain.  In the end, supposedly, you’re more easily able to kick the nicotine habit!

A friend of mine is wanting to get pregnant with her second baby, but her husband won’t indulge her until she quits smoking.  They actually both want to live in a smoke free home and raise their children as non-smokers.  She’s tried quite a few methods and is interested in the stop smoking laser; I told her I’d try to gather some personal stories to inspire her!  If you’ve tried this method or know anyone who has, please leave a few comments about how it worked out for you. Thanks!!

I’ve had so many question on the stop smoking laser that I looked it up and got some basic facts to share:

The light energy of the laser is absorbed by skin and cells by stimulation of acupressure points. It triggers your body to go into a constant release of endorphins, which makes your body feel like it has just had a cigarette.

The laser is applied to the ears, hands wrists, arms, and the side of the nose for the smoking treatment.

The actual treatment itself takes less than 30 minutes.  There is usually a consultation and instructions addressing the physical and  psychological aspects of your addiction.

The method is 100% natural, so there are no side affects.  It is not internally taken so it doesn’t affect any medications you may be taking.

This email was in my inbox yesterday:

“I got laser therapy on Saturday (May 2nd) and have not smoked since!  I have absolutely no cravings OR withdrawal symptoms!  I do think about smoking occasionally… for just a few seconds or so, and then I seem to forget.  I guess this is part of getting rid of the mental/habitual aspect of it. I would recommend this type of treatment to anyone who has had difficulty quitting using other means.”

It’s nice to hear some good news like that!

More and more you hear about alternative measures being used in helping a person to stop smoking.  I recently heard several people at the library discussing a stop smoking laser similar to traditional acupuncture.  Apparently, for one of the women, it was a very effective technique.  I looked into it and apparently there are facilities in most metropolitan areas that provide this type of treatment.

Nothing is guaranteed of course, and you do need a lot of will power. You also have to really want to give up.