STOPPING SMOKING IMPROVES YOUR MOOD

Smoking cessation is not only good for the body it’s good for the mind with longitudinal studies showing reduced depression, anxiety and stress among those who have broken the habit. While research consistently shows that smokers believe their addiction helps steady their mood, smoking is more likely to cause psychological disturbances in the first place, according to UK researchers.

Their systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 studies shows that the positive effects of smoking cessation are broadly on par with antidepressant treatment for mood and anxiety disorders.

Furthermore, they found smoking cessation is just as beneficial for those with psychiatric disorders as those without.

Just six weeks after quitting, reformed smokers reported an improvement in mental health compared to those who continued to smoke, according to the study published in the BMJ found.

The researchers hypothesised this was because the reformed smokers were no longer experiencing multiple episodes of negative affect induced by withdrawal.

“Smokers experience irritability, anxiety and depression when they have not smoked for a while and these feelings are reliably relieved by smoking thus creating the perception that smoking has psychological benefits,” they wrote.

The researchers believe their data should reassure doctors treating patients with mental illness that cessation is unlikely to exacerbate their symptoms and might indeed be therapeutic.

“Challenging the widely held assumption that smoking has mental health benefits could motivate smokers to stop,” they concluded.

UPDATE: ‘SMOKES LINK TO PSYCHOSIS’ 

Chemicals in tobacco may help trigger serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, a study suggests. The research shows smoking can triple the chances of developing psychosis.

Previously, the fact that people with psychotic mental illnesses were more likely to smoke had been put down to non-causal factors such as obtaining relief from distress, or self-medication. But now scientists believe something in tobacco might actually be the trigger – and found that 57 per cent of people tested for a first episode of psychosis were smokers.

The Advertiser 11.7.15: 25

FURTHER UPDATE: Busting Two Common Myths To Help You Quit Smoking …..

http://www.sane.org/sane-media/the-sane-blog/1417-busting-two-common-myths-to-help-you-quit-smoking 

Sar Rooney’s comment: The most effective method I have found for my patients over the years has been the Allen Carr method of quitting. Allen Carr has written a number of books on the subject of stopping smoking (available through any good book shop) and his latest book is also available on CD for those that prefer to listen rather than read. To further support his quitting methods, there are also 1 day ‘Stop Smoking Clinics’ that are available in most capital cities around Australia, for those that need the extra help. 

In addition, many smokers suffer from neurotransmitter imbalances which can increase the likelihood of addiction. This is something that I may be able to help them with by identifying the imbalance and recommending the appropriate amino acids or other nutrients that may correct the imbalance.

There is no doubt that smoking damages the body but now there appears to be growing evidence that it also damages the mind……just another reason not to smoke.

Specializing in Anxiety & Depression | Women’s Health | Chronic Fatigue | Natural Hormone Therapy | Thyroid Disorders | Digestive Health | Autoimmune Disease | Genetic Polymorphisms & Nutrigenomics | Nutritional Medicine | Counselling | Optimal Wellness & Disease Prevention with a Clinical Focus on Identifying & Resolving the Underlying Causes of Symptoms and Disease. 

Helping you achieve optimal wellness, hormonal balance and disease prevention with personalised, professional naturopathic health care, specialized clinical pathology testing and high-quality herbal medicines and supplements 

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Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. Please note: I am not a medical practitioner.