Effects of Tobacco on Mental Health

Background

Historical development of the conversations regarding mental health have not been progressing as rapidly as one would prefer. We have gained greater knowledge about mental illness over the last 20 years, and the majority of us now believe that therapy works. But there’s a growing societal perception that those with mental illness are unpredictable and dangerous.Studies have indicated that smoking exacerbates stress and anxiety. Smokers believe smoking lowers stress and anxiety because nicotine instantly relaxes them. This sensation is fleeting and is quickly followed by cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, there is a great deal of stigma attached to drug addiction problems, and people often blame those who are ill for their habits.  Many people are hesitant to seek treatment or disclose their disease in public due to these misconceptions and biases.

Understanding the Chemical Effect

Dopamine is released in the brain in response to stimulation by nicotine. Dopamine has a role in eliciting happy emotions. People with depression frequently have low levels of it, and as a result, they may smoke cigarettes to momentarily boost their dopamine levels. Smoking, however, causes the brain to turn off the process by which it produces dopamine, which eventually results in a decrease in supply and an increase in smoking.When trying to quit smoking, people with depression may find it very difficult and have more acute withdrawal symptoms. Never forget that if you want to stop, there is a ton of help available. You don’t have to experience it alone, though.

Coping and Seeking Help

Avoid isolating yourself. It’s possible that you’re reluctant to disclose your mental health condition to others. If your loved ones, friends, clergy, or neighbors are aware of your mental health condition, they can help you. Seek the empathy, understanding, and support you require from those you can trust. There is a misplaced stigma in the East African community when it comes to mental illness. However, this should not stop one from seeking the help they need. 

Support from friends and family might make quitting smoking easier. Encourage your friends or cohabitants who smoke to quit smoking if you live with them. Even for people who have managed to abstain from smoking for more than a year, having a mental illness at the time of quitting increases the likelihood of relapsing into smoking. For the same reasons that others have mentioned (health and family), many smokers with mental illnesses wish to stop, but they may be more susceptible to relapse due to stress and other unpleasant emotions.

Article by WellShare International