Smoking is a health scourge. Millions of people have died as a result of this nasty habit, and most smokers are well aware of the health risks, but are trapped by their habit into continuing. If they could, most smokers would choose to quit, but a nicotine addiction is a hard habit to kick, especially if you’ve smoked for decades.

As a result, most smokers seek some kind of aid in order to quit. This may include nicotine gum, nicotine patches or the quit smoking laser. But how can a laser help someone to quit smoking?

How it works

The quit smoking laser is supposed to work in the same way that acupuncture works, without the needles. By using a low grade laser, which is aimed at acupuncture points, the doctor will stimulate the nerve endings in those regions. This in turn is supposed to release endorphins into your body, which will help relieve the stress that is associated with nicotine withdrawal.

Laser treatment is often coupled with counselling, in a two pronged approach to quit smoking. Some laser treatment centers say that the laser treatment will only take one session of 30 minutes in order to work, while others say it will take up to three sessions.

The quit smoking laser will not harm you, and most laser treatment centers say that the treatment actually promotes a feeling of well-being. In some cases, you may experience a slight bit of dizziness or light-headedness, which quickly fades.

But does it work?

This is a sticky point. Laser treatment centers say that they have close to a 90% success rate. But many people will argue that of course they will say that. After all, they’re out to sell you their services.

The fact is, that while laser treatment centers will quote what they claim are facts, there are very few actual scientific studies that will back up their claims. In most cases, their sites will not post links to the studies they mention, and it’s very difficult to ascertain whether or not the stop smoking laser actually works.

Does this mean that it doesn’t work?

Not at all. It just means that the evidence to date is inconclusive. It can be argued that the stop smoking laser treatment convinces the patient that it works, and so it does. It can also be argued that the actual counselling that the laser centers offer is the thing that finally breaks the habit. However, it can also be argued that the stop smoking laser is a revolutionary medical breakthrough, and it absolutely works.

The last word

The point is that it’s up to you to find out. If you’re a smoker, and you’ve tried everything else to quit, the stop smoking laser treatment may be the final solution. Keep in mind that just one stop smoking laser treatment can cost upwards of $300 US, which puts it out of the price range of many.

Breaking your tobacco addiction is not as speedy as everyone thinks, as most people have tried over and over and have constantly gone back to it. However, you can try to quit smoking with lobelia. Your yearning for tobacco stays with you for the rest of your lifespan and it’s not the actual cigarette stick that you hanker for; it’s merely the nicotine which has a hold over you.

An exceptionally strong-scented plant known as lobelia inflata or lobelia, of which only the leaves and tops of the herb are used, produces effects that are the same as those of cigarettes. Numerous tobacco smokers have had success in the sense that they have quit smoking right after they utilised lobelia, since this herb tastes like tobacco and leaves behind that taste of burning acid inside your mouth as well as creates an increase in saliva. Lobelia uses various names, which include eyebright, gag root and Indian tobacco. Additionally, it is manufactured as well as marketed in many types like lobelia capsules, lobeline pills, lobelia extract and lobidram tablets.

One can say that lobelia mimics nicotine in the sense that it equally has an effect on the nervous system and has a soothing and dilating impact on the bronchiole, which usually heightens one’s respiration. Clinically, lobelia is actually made use of to deal with asthma attacks and muscular jerks, along with severe conditions of bronchitis.

Although utilizing lobelia is an extremely successful method to stop smoking cigarettes, tobacco smokers have to keep in mind that it’s a technique which shouldn’t be taken lightly. This herb, which has ingredients seen in just about all anti-smoking products, is proven to be very dangerous and should only be utilized for a maximum of six weeks. Aspiring ex-cigarette smokers also have to take lobelia 3 times a day and strictly abide by the stipulated 2mg dosage. Whenever taking lobelia, it is advisable to wash it down with a big glass of water after mealtimes. This is important, mainly because there were incidents where individuals have suffered from stomach cramping soon after taking it. In addition, lobelia induces puking if utilized incorrectly.

Lobelia is known as a natural herb, but not unlike all medicines, it’s got adverse reactions which can be rather harsh. These effects normally include heartbeat abnormalities, stomach discomfort, profuse perspiration as well as coughing, seizures and dizziness, and also chronic acid reflux and tremors. Your blood pressure may also rise quite substantially if you’re using lobelia. Utilizing large amounts could make you have a sluggish respiratory and heartbeat rate. On the flip side, with lower doses could come greater respiratory and heartbeat rates. Muscular paralysis and hypoventilation, 2 of the worst adverse reactions, may result in loss of life if not noticed early enough. If you’ve been prescribed this specific herb and suffering from these symptoms, cease using it and quickly make an appointment to talk to your physician or health care provider.

Lobelia shouldn’t be combined with some other anti-smoking strategies, since this can be a fatal blend. Furthermore, youngsters as well as women who are pregnant must not take this plant. Lobelia’s long-run side effects haven’t been found at this point, so do not use it for longer than the specified period and do not go over the suitable dose.

Tobacco use really does induce significant health conditions, and it is wise to stop. As opposed to other sorts of stopping tactics, lobelia is really a proved natural way. But like with everything, you ought to be diligent when taking it. Make sure you seek advice from your physician or doctor prior to utilising it, and bear in mind that it is of utmost importance to keep to the precise dose along with other requirements.

Smoking retains it’s popularity in the United States despite all the Surgeon General’s warnings and tobacco company lawsuits. Roughly a quarter of all Americans are still smoking. In many parts of the United States, smoking is as part of the mainstream culture as baseball and apple pie. Why does this past-time enjoy such esteem in today’s day and age? That is a great question and one that has a pretty good, if not complicated answer.

Currently, there are many stop smoking aids, methods or products on the market. Everything from electric cigarettes to lasers. But when you get past the hype and look at the science of smoking cessation, you are left with a very stark reality, low success rates. Let’s look at what’s called the front line methods for smoking cessation.

The first category can be called non-pharmacologic means. This includes quitting cold turkey, behavior modification, and support groups/counseling. Quitting cold turkey, although the preferred method of quitting by most smokers, offers the lowest success rate at 3%. Group counseling and behavior modification has the highest success rate, right around 20%.

The second category would then be pharmacological interventions. Here is where you see nicotine replacement therapy, like nicotine gum, the patch, the nasal spray, etc. You’ll also find Zyban and Chantix in this category. The success rate found with nicotine replacement is about equal to what is found with Zyban. This rate is basically double that of quitting cold turkey. Chantix on the other hand, boasts a success rate above 20%. However, Chantix has been required by the FDA to place a warning label on each box dispensed. The label basically warns the consumer that some who take Chantix, have experienced erratic and bazaar behavior. Many who want to quit smoking may not be willing to take that chance, in spite of the potential upside in success. The last member of this group is the placebo medication. This group wouldn’t be classified as a front line method, but it is a pharmacological intervention. This is where someone takes a legitimate medication with a very real medical use but offers it up as a stop smoking aid in an “off-label” manner. In other words, they may take some benign medication used to dry up secretions, and market it as a stop smoking shot. So it is no longer being used for the purpose stated on its label, but rather is now being used off-label. The consumer then receives this medication thinking they are getting some new smoking cure. This idea is so powerful, it creates a very real placebo effect in their mind. The success rates for off-label or placebo medications is thought to be about equal to that of quitting cold turkey, as you would expect. However, there are no clinical studies that evaluate these medications for smoking cessation in which derive accurate data. Therefore, the consumer is at the mercy of the advertising departments.

The final category is labeled alternative methods. This sort of catch-all group is where you find hypnosis, acupuncture, lasers and herbal or natural remedies. These methods might have a basis in non-traditional science and certainly have helped people to stop smoking. But there is sometimes no rhyme or reason as to whether it will or will not work; which, I suppose, doesn’t make them much different than any other method. Like placebo meds, there are no studied success rates with these methods and there are no clinical studies to quote statistics from. There is a segment of the population that will find success by using one of these methods, but most experts would agree it’s similar to or less than that of quitting cold turkey.

After looking at these success rates, it becomes easy to see why smoking is still so prevalent in our society. Many believe the success rates remain low because people are unwilling to make the necessary behavioral changes and/or are not really serious about quitting. Many are fed misinformation when they search for “easy ways to stop smoking” on the Internet. Too often people buy into a product or method because it offers them a “magic bullet” to stop smoking. However, they are not emotionally or mentally prepared for the grind that is about to take place in their brain.