Does Smoking Cause Mental Health Issues?


Many people take up smoking cigarettes as a way to relax. However, studies have shown that smoking can cause a number of mental health issues. Aside from the physical effects, it’s important to be aware of the effects on your mental health that smoking has.

As a general rule yes, smoking does cause mental health issues. While many experience instant stress relief and relaxation when smoking, long term effects have been linked to the development of anxiety and even depression. Ironically, stress will be increased with continued use of nicotine.

It’s important to understand the effects that something like smoking can have on your body and mind. While nicotine is considered a relatively mild drug, the long term effects can be substantial and life changing. (For more information on what drugs can cause psychosis, check out this previous article)

Many people who started smoking, especially at a young age, have said that they wished they never start. Being addicted to something that can cause you harm is a dangerous place to be.

Below, we’ll discuss some mental health effects of smoking as well as the effects on your brain. We’ll also briefly discuss the psychological effects of quitting smoking.

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Mental Health Issues caused by Smoking

Stress and Anxiety

Ironically, long term use of cigarettes to ease stress can actually cause more stress to occur. When someone smokes, feelings of stress are temporarily masked. The reality is that the stress and anxiety are still there, they are just being covered up by the effects of nicotine.

Since nicotine disrupts the natural release of dopamine, stress and anxiety can build up. As a result, the smoker may increase use to combat their growing levels of stress and anxiety. The temporary relief that is experienced is enough to make them believe that it is helping their stress levels when in reality, they are essentially just “sweeping it under the rug”.

Eventually, an anxiety disorder may be diagnosed if they do not quit smoking. An anxiety disorder that is caused from smoking can be reversed, however, it will take commitment to quit smoking. Adapting a healthy lifestyle can support you in your efforts to quit.

Depression

Sometimes, people suffering with depression take up smoking as a way to improve their mood. Nicotine causes the brain to release dopamine which causes someone’s mood to temporarily improved. The problem with this is that eventually, the brain will not automatically release dopamine as it naturally does. Smokers will become dependent on nicotine in order to release those chemicals.

If sometime without depression starts smoking, eventually they could become depressed due to the changes in regulation of chemical release in the brain. If this is the case then someone quits smoking, eventually the brain will regulate itself again. Regular levels of naturally released dopamine will return and nicotine induced depression will subside.

Some people might need additional support in order to achieve this. Having an accountability partner or seeking therapy can significantly improve the experience and speed up results.

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Schizophrenia

Due to the same effects on the brain as anxiety or depression, the personality disorder schizophrenia has been know to develop or worsen as a result of nicotine use. Schizophrenia can be caused by smoking however, those with schizophrenia often turn to smoking as a way to cope with the symptoms.

As a result, schizophrenia is worsened and other symptoms and mental health issued may start to develop. While the development of schizophrenia due to smoking does happen, usually preexisting factors are present which influence this outcome.

Certain genetic factors play a role as well as any previous brain injuries or poor mental health issues. The mental health issues that result from smoking depend on the volume that is consumed and in individual’s circumstances.

How does Smoking effect your Brain?

Research has found that smoking weakens your brain and also leads to deterioration. It is essentially weakening the structure of your brain, similar to what termites do to the structure of a house. When your brain’s matter is compromised, proper brain function cannot be experienced.

As a result, smokers will experience memory loss and trouble concentrating. The effects and level of deterioration are similar to those of someone elderly. Smoking essentially speeds up the rate of matter that is lost in the brain.

Aside from mental illness and weakened structure, dementia has been known to eventually develop as a result of the poor condition of the brain.

Psychological effects of Quitting Smoking

When someone is addicted to the use of cigarettes, quitting can feel nearly impossible. If someone is able to quit, they will feel a variety of effects. Psychological effects of quitting smoking include less stress, decreased levels of anxiety and ease of depression symptoms. In some cases, anxiety and depression will even clear completely on their own after someone quits smoking.

Other psychological effects include an improved over all mood, increased self-esteem and a decrease in how often they are irritable or feeling restless. People have also reported an overall improvement in the quality of life. Clearer focus, concentration and a higher drive to improve oneself have also been reported as a result of quitting smoking.

For more on the how quitting smoking effects your mind, check out the article “What Happens To Your Mind When You Quit Smoking?” from the folks over at Kentucky Counseling Center.

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mblblogger

Hi, I'm Marissa! I'm passionate about mental and emotional health and want to share what I've learned over the years with others! I've seen first hand how mental health struggles can cause serious issues within relationships, work life, daily productivity, self-worth and more! I truly believe that we owe it to ourselves to bring more awareness to these life changing topics. Start your mental/emotional health journey by learning more today!

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