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Information on Laser Treatment for Quitting Smoking

For many smokers, quitting a cigarette addiction is a difficult, ongoing struggle. The market of products and treatments to aid in the quitting process has grown tremendously over the last decade. Laser treatment is an increasingly popular solution.

  1. How Laser Treatment Works

    • Cold laser therapy, or low level laser therapy (LLLT), is the type of laser technology used for quitting smoking. It uses low-intensity light and energy that is aimed at the patient's "pressure points" from an overhead lamp-like device. The target points are stimulated with energy to allegedly cause a change in the body's energy.

    Age-Old Principle

    • Laser treatment for quitting smoking is based on the same principle as acupuncture and reflexology: The body has certain "acupoints" that, when pressure is applied, stimulate the body's inner energy and cause changes. Instead of acupuncture needles, lasers are used.

    Functions

    • Relaxation is the first function of targeted laser beams, after which the laser energy is used to simulate nicotine-generated feelings by triggering the body to release endorphins. This creates a false "high" without nicotine, which allegedly ceases the body's need for nicotine and cigarettes altogether.

    Effectiveness

    • Results vary from patient to patient. Laser treatment, like other methods for quitting smoking, such as hypnosis, is subjective. Providers of laser treatment advertise success rates of over 80 percent. There is no scientific evidence to support or refute laser treatment's effectiveness for quitting smoking.

    Benefits

    • Laser treatment has no side effects and no downtime. The procedure is painless and relaxing. Laser treatment providers suggest only one treatment session, which is 30 minutes. Instead of gradually reducing the smoker's reliance on nicotine, laser treatment aims to stop nicotine intake immediately.

    Cost

    • The average cost (in 2009) for one laser treatment session for quitting smoking is $400, expensive compared to other anti-smoking aids. Skepticism suggests the cost is a risk, but if successful, it's money well spent.

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