# Mad Russian **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675 "2003-11-17T11:42:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![madline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@madline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madline)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/1 "2003-11-17T11:42:31Z")
I was wondering if anyone here has been to him to quit smoking or if you know someone who has. He has a great reputation with celebrities such as Billy Joel and Demi Moore. I am considering taking the trek to see him and would like some encouragement. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/2 "2003-11-17T14:41:39Z")
[Bert Gordon](http://imdb.com/name/nm0330025/), the Mad Russian? ---
**Author:** ![madline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@madline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madline)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/3 "2003-11-17T23:10:01Z")
I am referring to this man: [http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlight/2001-07-11-smoking.htm](http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlight/2001-07-11-smoking.htm) and this: [http://www.fawnfitter.com/madrussian.html](http://www.fawnfitter.com/madrussian.html) I came here to ask the most intelligent group I know and respect. Unfortunately I have no willpower. I am a mere puddle of goo when it comes to controlling my urges. All I can say to myself is “you only live once” or “you could be hit by a bus tomorrow, then you would be sorry”. C’mon, doesn’t anyone know anybody? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/4 "2003-11-18T01:20:45Z")
**Eve** , that was my first thought, too! Now I’m rather disappointed. 🙂 From the USA Today link: > [@](#): > > The energy Yefim speaks of is **a para-science called bioenergetics, a healing life force that circulates within all living things.** While this may sound like a science fiction fantasy, Yefim emphasizes there’s nothing mystical about his methods. > > According to Yefim, we all have this power within us; we just don’t know how to use it. Without actually touching you, he says **he’s able to physically manipulate this invisible energy field that surrounds every person’s body.** He says he transforms the energy in the brain back to its original form, the way it existed before a person began their given addiction. Congratulations on wanting to quit. Don’t give up. But talk to your doctor. He should have more effective things to try or prescribe. I can’t recommend this Russian or anyone like him. The reporter may think it sounds like SF, but it’s a lot of fiction and no science. It’s complete hokum. Remember, celebrities are not experts in this. There’s plenty of free things to try everywhere on the web. You’d probably get similar (i.e. basically random) results by chanting “nam myoho renge kyo” for an hour every day. Or “owa tagu siam.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![madline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@madline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madline)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/5 "2003-11-18T01:38:04Z")
rowrrbazzle, owa tagu siam…ROTFL!! If you can find me something that has half of the praise and success this guy has I will gladly try it. I want this to be the last time I quit. I have looked on the web and found [www.quitsmoking.com](http://www.quitsmoking.com) which is a support group, but nothing else. Give me something solid. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/6 "2003-11-18T03:20:57Z")
H’uh. I thought this was gonna be about Gregori Rasputin-the REAL Mad Russian! ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/7 "2003-11-18T04:27:02Z")
I also opened this thread expecting it to be about The Mad Monk. Considering the tales of his hypnotic powers, he may have been successful in getting you to quit. Then you could move on to more healthy pastimes, like cheap wine and prostitutes. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/8 "2003-11-18T04:35:34Z")
Well, that and exposing your genitalia to an entire restaurant full of nobility. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-russian/213675/9 "2003-11-18T04:55:48Z")
Oh, like there’s something wrong with that? I’ve been letting my hair grow for the past year. I’ve been missing psychiatrist appointments for the past few months. I’ve begun to feel rather Rasputin-ish. He was a nutcase from the Ukraine. I’m a nutcase with Ukrainian heritage. By following his example, I could go from unemployment to influencing government at the highest levels. Eventually, I’ll be assassinated and elaborate stories of my death will be told. It’s thoughts like this that give me hope.