I’ve seen advertisements for laser therapy that claims to stop physical cravings for cigarettes. It’s pretty expensive but if it REALLY works, it would be worth it.
Stop smoking laser therapy is a low-level laser therapy that is virtually painless, entirely safe and helps fight nicotine cravings. It is an external, non-thermal, and non-invasive process.
When you undergo stop smoking laser therapy, you will receive laser beams to acupuncture points on the body and ear. Advocates say that not only is the procedure non-invasive, it has no side effects. Most smokers need only three to five treatment sessions that last about 30 minutes each. Patients receiving laser therapy do not require additional nicotine or drug replacement.
The low-level laser acts as an instrument to aid the client through the initial physical withdrawals from nicotine. The first 72 hours after quitting is considered to be the crucial detoxification period. For three to five days following treatment, the laser will mimic a similar endorphin release, relieving the stress associated with giving up nicotine.
Check out this article: http://www.askedweb.com/askedweb/Laser_Therapy_To_Stop_Smoking/
Try the treatments, stick to your program and avoid temptation to give yourself a fighting chance!
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I know someone who has had this treatment and they said it was like a miracle. I guess you have to really want to quit smoking though for it to work. I found a website of a clinic that offers it…www.LaserAssociatesofMadison.com
References :
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I have not tried it (I've never smoked) but I use low level laser (LLT) in my own practice for myo-skeletal disorders.
The reason you have not found anything on the FDA website is that LLT for smoking cessation is only at the IRB level, meaning each LLT center for smoking cessation must operate under an IRB, and that if you get their services for smoking cessation, your results will be sent to and tallied by the FDA as a sort of experiment (research) to one day be able to publicly state "LLT is approved as effective in smoking cessation". Everyone's results are protected for privacy, of course.
The little bit of literature I've seen done using LLT for smoking cessation states that preliminary findings show it is slightly more effective than "the patch", which may or may not be saying much as it has turn out that the Patch is not as effective in smoking cessation as originally thought it was to be.
Still, I wouldn't say no, even if it does cost $300-$400: If it does get you to quit smoking, $300-$400 will seem like nothing compared to the costs you will incurr in the future from lung cancer or COPD.
My personal suggestion is to find a LLT center which employs licensed healthcare professionals of some sort, perhaps in this case a licensed acupuncturist.
References :
http://www.a-body-for-living.com/laser-therapy-melbourne.html