Amazon is selling a bracelet that shocks you for spending too much money or eating fast food

We all have bad habits, whether it's smoking, spending all your money at 2 in the morning, or stuffing your face with way too many donuts. But now, there might be a way to beat those bad habits for those of us with little to no willpower.  

The Pavlok is a bracelet you can buy for $200 on Amazon. The interesting part? It's a shock bracelet, and every time you get a craving, you're supposed to turn on the juice. And with 150 zaps per charge and a companion smart phone app, you'll probably find yourself using it a lot.  

The idea is simple, if you're honest and give yourself a shock every time you have a craving, you'll start to associate that craving with pain and crave it less.  

The Amazon page states:

"Pavlok allows you to speak your reptile brain’s language by adding an unpleasant element (a safe and harmless ‘zap’ of electricity on your wrist) to what you have been taught to love (your nasty lingering habit). Quickly conditioning your mind to associate an “unpleasant” feeling with your bad habit… and stopping it all together." 

Pavlok quotes a number of success stories on their website, with quotes from people who have allegedly broken habits from smoking to nail biting by giving themselves a shock.

"I didn’t want to shock myself so I wouldn’t eat the food in the first place," a woman named Tasha says. "I haven’t had any refined sugar, which is awesome...I feel like I’m back in control of my relationship with food. I feel like I have a much healthier relationship with food." 

While a testimonial from Dave Rogenmoser reads:

"I tried a lot of things to form new habits and break old habits. When I got Pavlok, I was really impressed with the quality. I started using the little alarm system that helps to wake you up. After doing that for 30 days I woke up more consistently than I ever have in my life. Love it."

Amazon reviewers also seem to be receptive to the device, with one writing:

"Wrist band is a little awkward but it does allow for the contacts to be positioned closely to your skin for the best results. I’ve only used the button on the device to administer the shock. I can’t comment on how the hand motion function works."

"The app is ok and does give some information and videos on how to beat whatever habbit you’re trying to break. At 100% on a decent charge it is more than enough of a zap to get your attention. I’m glad I bought it, so far I believe it is working. It’s not going to cure a lifelong issue in a few days so you have to stick to their plan and really work on it," wrote one customer." 

Another added: 

"I have tried a few devices to help me wake early for success without interrupting my wife's beauty sleep. This one I have to say is the best so far. I am able to wake up and get moving quietly. I turn off the sound alarm and turn the shock on about 60% and the vibrate on 100% and it works like a charge if the vibration doesn't wake me the shock will."

"Not only that but I have the ability with My iPhone to monitor my sleep patterns with Sleep tracking. Truly a great product even though they never got a deal on Shark Tank! LOL. It can help you get rid of bad habits but I have not used this functionality as of yet. I do wish they made the simulated watch band with a better quality." 

One reviewer said that the bracelet had helped them defeat their bad habit: "After 10 days of shocking myself for 10 minutes a day while biting my lips, my decades long lip-biting habit was broken! I am writing this over 6 months later and the habit is still gone."

Another user called the bracelet "life changing":

"Quick context: I've got clinically-diagnosed ADHD and, to a less extreme extent, OCD. I found the Pavlok when I had the thought of putting a 'shock collar' on myself that would shock me when I started twitching or perseverating."

"That being said, after my son called my mother to tell her that I had been swearing, I decided to make that the first habit I conquered."

"From the moment I put the Pavlok on, my swearing decreased to never more than once per day. A quick shock was enough to put me back in the right headspace and I'd calm down immediately. Day 4 was my first day without swearing in years. Now, about 2 weeks into this process, days where I don't swear are the norm."

"I'm really psyched for all of the other bad habits I can now start to conquer! No more avoiding cracks when walking, or stepping on a crack with both feet to 'balance things out.' No more yelling when my attention is jerked in a different direction. No more endless hours on computer games..."

It's definitely an interesting way to get over your bad habits.