Ink Therapy: An Interview with Sheldon Cooper of Tattoos And Smoke

Nestled in the Northwest area of Vegas, Tattoos And Smoke isn't your typical tattoo parlor or smoke shop—it's a fusion of both and a whole lot more. This unique establishment has been making waves for the past three years thanks to the dynamic duo behind it: the Cooper brothers. I had the pleasure of sitting down with co-owner Sheldon Cooper to delve into how the business came to be and talk about the unspoken healing power of tattoos.

Sheldon, the mastermind behind the smoke side of the shop, and his brother Tyler, the artistic genius with the tattoo gun, created Tattoos And Smoke as a haven for those seeking both body art and quality smoke products. “Tyler’s been in the art industry for over 10 years. He’s sold thousands of paintings on the Strip,” Sheldon shared. “He eventually realized that tattoos were his passion, and I said, ‘We should start our own shop.’” The shop showcases Tyler’s impressive array of celebrity and movie-inspired artwork, including custom canvas paintings, shoes, Bearbrick figurines, and lighters, some of which are even autographed by the stars themselves, like Mike Tyson, Berner, and System of a Down. It also features a wealth of art created by some of their very own in-house tattoo artists.

Open until 10 PM, it’s also the only place in town where you can find both tattoo supplies and an extensive selection of tobacco products long after other stores have closed. From top brand CBD products like Rove to every Swisher Sweets cigar flavor ever created, Tattoos And Smoke has it all.

Healing With Tattoos

Most folks without tattoos might think they’re all about aesthetics or rebellion, but they can also be profoundly therapeutic. “Tattoos are very healing,” Sheldon explained. “A lot of people go through trauma that causes them emotional and spiritual harm.

Sometimes, getting a tattoo is their way of escaping that pain.” Sheldon recounted how both he and Tyler turned to tattoos to cope with the loss of their father. This sentiment is echoed by many of their clientele who come in seeking a way to process their grief, overcome their trauma, and mark significant milestones in their lives.

“We once had a whole family come in to get a deceased loved one’s initials,” he recalled. “It’s about removing that pain from inside and bringing it out into the light. It’s a powerful way to release grief and sadness.”

Designing with Meaning

When it comes to designing tattoos for therapeutic purposes, the artists of Tattoos And Smoke take a highly personalized approach. “People looking for aesthetic tattoos will usually pick from a book of options, but we custom-make healing tattoos because they’re very personal to the client,” Sheldon explained. “A lot of common symbols we see for therapeutic tattoos include dates, a loved one’s favorite animal or character, initials, angels, wings, crosses, or a tattoo that matches one their friend or family member had.”

Sheldon says there's been a growing number of symbolic tattoos over the years. “We’re seeing a 200% increase in meaningful tattoos these days. People are getting a lot less thoughtless imagery and more of what truly means something to them.” This shift may represent a broader cultural trend toward the use of body art as a form of emotional healing, rather than purely for personal expression.

The Science Behind Ink Therapy

The healing power of tattoos might be linked to their effect on cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. Stress, caused by things like having a needle puncture your skin, increases cortisol levels, but research shows that the body can adapt to this over time.

Research done by the American Journal of Biological Anthropology found that first-time tattoo recipients experienced a spike in cortisol levels in response to the stress. But those getting their second, third, or subsequent tattoos showed a smaller increase. This suggests that getting multiple tattoos helps the body handle stress better and potentially lowers cortisol production in future stressful situations.**

Additionally, the tattoo process triggers a release of dopamine and endorphins—happiness hormones—that further alleviate stress.

How to Prepare for Your First Healing Tattoo

For those considering their first therapeutic tattoo, Sheldon offers sage advice. “Be emotionally and physically prepared for the pain of the tattoo and the trauma you’re about to release,” he advises. “Use numbing cream. Make sure you eat. Have some water in your system. No drugs or drinking. Get enough sleep. It’s a lot like surgery, so you’ll want to prepare accordingly. Listen to your body.”

Want to Connect with Tattoos And Smoke?

Whether you’re looking to get inked, find some killer smoke products, or simply admire some incredible art, Tattoos And Smoke is a place worth checking out. You can visit them at 2300 North Rainbow, Suite 111. Their team includes artists with over 10 years of experience, and they welcome walk-ins.

Be sure to follow Tattoos And Smoke on social media:

• Instagram: @tattoosandsmoke @tattoosandsmokelasvegas

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tattoosandsmoke/

• Website: https://app.tattoosandsmoke.com/

• Tikok: tattoosandsmoke

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Aside from all they have to offer in-shop, Tattoos And Smoke have also become a cornerstone of the Vegas community and created a supportive network all their own. In fact, they’re hosting a block party as part of the Nevada Cannabis Awards Music Festival on September 28th, from 2-10pm at Fremont Country Club, Backstage Bar & Billiards, and surrounding businesses. It’s set to be a day of art, music, and community you don’t want to miss.

**Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.22847

Jaden Rae is a Las Vegas resident and best-selling author of the Microdosing Guide And Journal. She is dedicated to teaching people the beauty of living sensually, exploring simple pleasures, finding your authentic voice and manifesting flow in everyday life. Jaden has been featured on the Today Show, The Early Show, Martha Stewart Radio, Fox Business News and more. You can find her on Instagram @heyjadenrae.