Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on March 25, 2021 If you use tobacco, you know it can be challenging to quit. Years of experiencing the temporary good feelings brought on by tobacco have likely trained your brain to want it even more. However, there are a lot of good reasons to explore quitting. Tobacco use has been shown to shorten life expectancy. It can also have a number of effects on your mental health. Smoking tobacco can affect your mental health. How much it can affect you depends on how much and how frequently you smoke. Some possible
effects may include: Addiction. When a person
smokes tobacco, nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds. For some people, nicotine improves mood and helps with relaxation. However, regular use can lead to addiction. Regular doses of tobacco may lead to changes in the brain. When the nicotine supply drops, this causes withdrawal symptoms. This increases the habit. Most smokers become dependent because of this cycle. Stress. While some people smoke to reduce stress, research shows that smoking actually
increases tension. Tobacco can provide an immediate sense of relaxation, leading you to believe that it reduces anxiety. However, this feeling of relaxation is temporary. It may cause you to develop an increased craving for tobacco and start experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Smoking may reduce withdrawal symptoms, but it doesn't reduce anxiety. Depression. A person with depression is twice as likely to smoke than someone not suffering from depression. However, it is important to note that many people begin smoking without showing signs of depression. Tobacco causes the release of a chemical – dopamine – in the brain. Dopamine triggers positive feelings. People with depression often have low levels of dopamine, so they may then use tobacco to experience pleasure. In the long run, smoking will actually encourage the brain to slow its own dopamine production. This reduction will eventually cause you to want to smoke more. If you are experiencing depression, look for support when you start to quit smoking. You may be affected more severely by withdrawal symptoms, and you don't have to go through it alone. Schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia are three times more likely to smoke than those without. They are also more likely to smoke heavily. This is because smoking may seem to manage some of the symptoms connected with the illness or the side effects of medication used in treatment. Research also shows that smoking may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. There are a few things to consider when you are ready to quit smoking. You are most likely to succeed if you have a plan and support. If you're undergoing a crisis or experiencing significant changes in
your life, this will be even more important. If you are taking medications like antidepressants or antipsychotics, talk to your doctor before you stop smoking. The following tips can help you in your efforts to quit:
In ConclusionWhile smoking might seem to reduce feelings of stress or depression, it actually makes things worse in the long run. Talk to your doctor about any mental health difficulties. Find people who will support you. It's okay to slip up, but don't let it set you back. How does smoking affect performance in sport?The effect of smoking cigarettes on athletes can be described very simply: it reduces their endurance, it impacts on their performance and it makes them more likely to get injured. Smoke contains carbon monoxide, a very harmful chemical that disrupts the process through which the muscles obtain oxygen.
How does smoking affect recovery from exercise?We conclude that cigarette smoking impairs the insulin-dependent portion of muscle recovery from glycogen-depleting exercise. This impairment likely results from a reduction in glucose uptake.
|