EZ Light Therapy vs. Other Smoking Cessation Methods
Introduction
Red and Near Infrared (NIR) Light Therapy, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or laser acupuncture is gaining more attention because of it’s effectiveness for skin rejuvenation, treating different pain syndromes, accelerated healing and more.
What may surprise you though is that at-home laser light therapy is also an effective method for helping individuals to not only quit smoking cigarettes and vaping nicotine — but other addictions and negative habits like overconsumption of alcohol, street drugs and even sugar.
LLLT or red/NIR Light-emitting (LED) therapy utilizes low intensity light technology that is directed at specific energy points on the body located on the ears, forehead, nose, hands and feet. By stimulating these points, people often experience reduced cravings, relief from withdrawal symptoms and overall well-being during the quitting process of nicotine.
The strengths of laser and light therapy for quitting smoking include the fact that it is non-invasive, painless and does not require the use of drugs or nicotine replacements. It is also a safe and holistic approach that takes direct aim at addressing the physiological and habit aspects of addiction.
Some laser therapy professionals have been offering “laser quit” services in clinical settings for many years with high success rates. Lazer Dave, Certified Laser Therapist has been doing just this for over 15 years via his clinical practice ottawalasersolutions.com.
Lazer Dave is pioneering a new movement in the laser light therapy industry by helping people learn to treat themselves with at-home laser light therapy devices for withdrawal and craving symptoms associated with quitting smoking, alcohol, drugs, sugar and more via his EZ Light Therapy guide books and video tutorials.
With all the above in mind — you may be asking yourself what are the success rates of quitting smoking using laser light therapy versus other more traditional and emerging methods?
Traditional and Emerging Methods for Quitting Smoking
Traditional methods for smoking cessation include pharmaceutical options like Champix/Chantix (Verenicline) and Zyban (Bubropion). Others include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) options such as nicotine patches and inhalers that deliver controlled amounts of nicotine. Rounding out this list is behavioural counselling, support groups, needle acupuncture and other emerging methods like smartphone based apps.
Lets take a closer look at demonstrable evidence of both traditional and emerging methods for smoking cessation and quitting nicotine consumption:
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): NRT involves using products such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, or inhalers to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The success rate of NRT in helping individuals quit smoking varies, but one study by the New England Journal of Medicine presents only a lowly 9.9% abstinence rate after 1 year of use. Source: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/nejmoa1808779.
- Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes): E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that deliver nicotine in the form of vapour. The success rate of e-cigarettes in helping individuals quit smoking demonstrates an uninspiring 15% abstinence rate after 24 weeks of use. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29304395/.
- Bupropion: Bupropion is an antidepressant medication that can help people quit smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The success rate of bupropion presents only a 13.6% smoking cessation rate after 1 year of use. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5286845/.
- Varenicline: is another prescription medication that can help individuals quit smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms for nicotine. The success rate of Varenicline shows a 6.2% smoking cessation rate after 1 year of use. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5286845/.
- Group support: Group support can help individuals quit smoking by providing encouragement, motivation, and accountability. Group support can be in the form of in-person support groups or online communities. The success rate of group support varies — however one study demonstrates a noteworthy 35.5% quit rate after 4 weeks. Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02446.x.
- Telephone quit-lines: Telephone quit-lines provide individuals with access to trained counselors who can provide support and advice on quitting smoking. The success rate of telephone quit-lines in helping individuals quit smoking is not overly impressive, this study presents a 9.1% success rate after 1 year. Source: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa020660.
- Exercise: It is theorized that regular physical activity may help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms from nicotine mainly attributable to endorphin release. Surprisingly, there being a “low-certainty evidence” demonstrating. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6819982/.
- Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy: Hypnosis involves inducing a state of deep relaxation and increased suggestibility to help individuals overcome cravings and quit smoking. The success rate of hypnosis in helping individuals quit smoking varies. One study demonstrates a 24% cessation rate at 1 year. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18569754/.
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that can help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours related to smoking. Quit Genius (Palego) is one leading organization utilizing this approach. The success rate of CBT in helping individuals quit smoking is 22.6% at 1 year as presented by one journal article. Source: https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article/24/11/1763/6574261.
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: meditation and deep breathing techniques are reported by some sources to help individuals manage stress and cravings associated with quitting smoking/nicotine. However — demonstrable scientific evidence is not yet strong. Among these methods, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MCBT) shows some effectiveness. It is the author’s professional and anecdotal opinion that mindfulness based techniques seem most beneficial for the purposes of quitting smoking when combined with other smoking cessation methods versus being utilized independently. Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35420700/, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320314605_Effectiveness_of_Mindfulness-Based_Cognitive_Therapy_on_Reducing_Smoking_among_Addicts and https://ctri.wisc.edu/2021/12/02/mindfulness-app-helps-people-avoid-smoking/.
- Smartphone Based Apps For Smoking Cessation: The goal of these apps is to support and motivate users via a combination of features that include tracking/monitoring their smoking habit, setting goals, suggestions for coping with cravings, reminders, financial tracking, gamification and more. Success rates are hard to demonstrate due to user adherence. Current evidence implies they are best utilized in combination with other cessation methods to boost results versus being used alone. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10160935/.
- Acupuncture using needles: Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body called acupuncture points or energy points to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The success rate of needle acupuncture in helping individuals quit smoking varies considerably in scientific studies — this is in large part attributable to different acupuncture methodologies/styles being employed and lack in congruity of application. It is in the author’s clinical experience that laser light therapy when utilized instead of needles to stimulate energy points promotes significantly more consistent and measurable results then needles. In addition, laser light is significantly more safer and comfortable then acupuncture needles as well — so much so that people can learn how to treat themselves at-home with the proper guidance and device(s). Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6662782/.
In summary, most of the above methods demonstrate weak scientific support for smoking cessation and quitting nicotine consumption purposes. The exceptions to this are group counselling sessions, mindfulness cognitive based techniques (MCBT), coaching/counselling, educational programs and smart phone based apps. These exceptions are more effective though when combined with more proven methodologies and not alone for optimal results.
At-Home EZ Light Therapy For Quitting Smoking — An Effective Smoking Cessation Methodology
At-home laser light therapy and laser acupuncture is an effective alternative to the methods presented above. Borrowing concepts and techniques of treatment from clinical laser light therapy, medical acupuncture, auriculotherapy and laser acupuncture — the simple to follow EZ Light Therapy program of self treatment is a simplified approach and new gold standard for at-home or DIY light therapy treatment.
One of the best designed laser acupuncture studies for smoking cessation that is incorporated into the EZ Light Therapy approach demonstrates an 87.5% effectiveness rate. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29937971/.
The EZ Light Therapy Quit Bad Habits guide book and video tutorials provide a clinically effective smoking cessation methodology with a focus on using at-home laser light therapy devices.
In Summary
It is important to note that the effectiveness rates presented above are not absolute and individual experiences may differ. While laser light therapy can significantly increase the chances of quitting smoking — it is not a magical cure and requires a genuine desire plus commitment from the smoker to maximize results. Results are not guaranteed.
Always consult with your doctor regarding any health concern, changes in medications or similar.
For more information regarding the EZ Light Therapy quit smoking solution, please follow this link: https://eazylighttherapy.com/quit-stop-smoking-vaping-nicotine-at-home-laser-light-therapy/