Tobacco Smoking and Mental Health

Most adults are aware of the health risks of smoking tobacco. Research shows that smoking may also have an affect on mental health. While the motivation for smoking varies from person to person, knowing why some people smoke may help those who want to stop.

The physical, or biological, elements of smoking deal with how the cerebral matter reacts to nicotine. As an individual smokes, nicotine hits the brain in about ten seconds. The first drags on tobacco can alleviate a mental funk and melancholy while improving attentiveness and the ability to focus. It also helps in decreasing displeasure and anxiety. It may also relax the muscles and dampen the appetite.

Regular smoking and exposure to nicotine can lead to physical modifications in the brain. These changes, at the molecular level, lead to withdrawal when the nicotine level drops. Smoking again will temporarily reduce the symptoms of withdrawal, but it reinforces the habit. Continue reading.

Originally posted on PsychCentral.