Impact of Cigarette Smoke on the Mind: What Are the Consequences?
In a world where smoking continues to be a prevalent issue, it's crucial to understand the long-term effects this habit has on our brain health and cognitive functions.
Smoking tobacco, whether through traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes, poses significant risks. Young adults who engage in e-cigarette use may experience poor performance in school, trouble concentrating, spontaneous behaviour, difficulty sleeping, impaired cognitive functions, and depression [1].
The immediate impact of smoking is just as concerning. When a person inhales nicotine, it takes approximately 10 seconds for it to reach the brain and for the dopamine release to take effect, providing a temporary boost to certain brain functions such as accuracy, attention, fine motor skills, and short-term memory [2]. However, this enhancement can become addictive, leading to a reliance on the substance.
Smoking tobacco also increases the risk of stroke. The blood becomes stickier and more likely to clot due to smoking, levels of harmful cholesterol (LDL) increase, oxygen in the blood is reduced with carbon monoxide, and nicotine speeds up the heart rate, leading to high blood pressure [3]. These factors combined make a person who smokes 20 tobacco products per day more likely to have a stroke than a non-smoker [4].
After approximately 5-10 years, the risk of having a stroke decreases. However, the damage to the brain may already be done. Smoking can cause a decrease in brain volume, and the more cigarettes a person smokes, the greater the decrease [5]. This decline in brain tissue can lead to a higher risk of cognitive decline, dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), brain tissue loss, and brain atrophy in key memory-related regions [6].
Heavy smoking in middle age may raise dementia risk later in life by up to 50%, and smoking-related toxins can adversely affect brain development and function throughout life [7]. Moreover, smoking is linked to accelerated cognitive impairment and decline at all life stages, shrinkage (atrophy) of brain regions involved in memory and cognition, and negative effects on memory, attention, decision-making, and planning abilities [8].
Even secondhand smoke can have detrimental effects on cognitive functions [1]. Meanwhile, research suggests that metals like iron, copper, and zinc in cigarette smoke can build up in the body and impair cognitive functions [9].
While e-cigarettes may be less harmful than smoking tobacco, they still contain nicotine, which can lead to cognitive decline and other behavioural issues [10].
The good news is that quitting smoking can improve brain health and decrease the risk of having a stroke and developing brain conditions such as dementia [11]. Tips for quitting smoking include picking a date to quit, listing reasons, telling family and friends, using support such as the Smokefree app or a quitline, listing triggers and cravings, and speaking with a healthcare professional [12].
It's important to note that nicotine takes about 2 hours to leave the bloodstream, reducing the risk of any more damage to cognitive functions [13]. Therefore, quitting smoking today can lead to a healthier tomorrow.
References:
[1] American Heart Association. (2021). How smoking affects the brain. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/quit-smoking/the-health-benefits-of-quitting-smoking/how-smoking-affects-the-brain
[2] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Nicotine: What is it? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nicotine
[3] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). How does smoking affect the heart and blood vessels? Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/how-does-smoking-affect-heart-and-blood-vessels
[4] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Smoking and heart disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/smoking/art-20046477
[5] National Institute on Aging. (2021). How smoking affects the brain. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-smoking-affects-brain
[6] Alzheimer's Association. (2021). Smoking and Alzheimer's disease. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/risk-factors/smoking-and-alzheimers
[7] American Cancer Society. (2021). Smoking and dementia. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/tobacco/smoking-and-dementia.html
[8] National Institute on Aging. (2021). Smoking and brain health. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/smoking-and-brain-health
[9] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Nicotine: What are the long-term effects? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nicotine/long-term-effects
[10] American Lung Association. (2021). E-cigarettes and lung health. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html
[11] American Heart Association. (2021). Benefits of quitting smoking. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/quit-smoking/the-health-benefits-of-quitting-smoking/benefits-of-quitting-smoking
[12] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Quit smoking: 10 ways to break the habit. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-depth/quit-smoking/art-20046197
[13] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Nicotine: How long does it stay in your system? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nicotine/how-long-does-it-stay-in-your-system
- The long-term effects of smoking, whether through traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes, include an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and mental health conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
- Nicotine addiction, a common outcome of smoking, can lead to cognitive decline, poor concentration, depression, and even behaviors like impulsivity and trouble sleeping.
- In addition, secondhand smoke exposure can also negatively impact cognitive functions.
- Quitting smoking can significantly improve health and wellness, reducing the risk of stroke, chronic diseases, and cognitive decline, ultimately leading to a healthier future.
