Device Uses Small Electric Shock To Help Users Break Bad Habits

BOSTON (CBS) – A Boston company wants to zap away your bad habits.

"You're essentially training the habit center of your brain," said Sims McGrath, Marketing Director at Pavlok.

Pavlok training comes with a little bit of pain. Users press a lightning bolt on the wrist band to deliver a pre-set electrical jolt right to the arm.

"You associate the stimulus from Pavlok with the habit that you're trying to break and the association is what trains the aversion to the habit," explained McGrath.

Pavlok, as you may have picked up already, is a play on the Pavlovian Response.

Eric Lanoue of Somerville used Pavlok to cut down on smoking. For five days straight every time he lit up, or just thought about it, he hit the Pavlok.

"At the end of it I really did see a significant decrease in cravings and the desire to smoke in general, " said Lanoue.

He says he's no longer buying cigarettes but the Pavlok is still on his wrist just in case.

"Whenever I feel like smoking I just hit this button and it shocks my hand and then it hurts a little bit and I don't want to smoke anymore," Lanoue explained.

While most Pavlok customers need to hit the watch themselves it can be programmed to go off automatically -- like if you're trying to stay productive at work, by blacklisting certain websites. So, if you're procrastinating on Facebook or Twitter, Pavlok will instantly jolt you back on task.

Why not just use an old-fashioned rubber band?

"A rubber band leaves uncomfortable welts and it can leave red marks. Pavlok doesn't do that. It's very very safe and leaves no lasting effects," said McGrath.

The strength of the jolt is determined by the customer, up to 450 volts.

Pavlok only works when its touching your skin.  It is not approved by the FDA and it costs $200.