Smoking Adversely Affects the Brain

Time and again, cigarette brands have printed on their labels in miniscule writing, “cigarette smoking is injurious to health. But the question is how and to what extent? It is well known to smokers and non-smokers that tobacco has harmful effects on the lungs. But hardly anyone seems to give serious thought about the ill effects of cigar smoking on other major organs of the body.

Recent study has proved that smoking affects the brain. Smoking speeds up brain decline in the elderly, a study suggests. The rate of decline is five times higher than in people who have never smoked, according to a group of European researchers.

The greater the number of cigarettes smoked and the longer a person had been a smoker for, the greater the cognitive decline. However, this is more significant for current smokers than those who had quit. A family history of dementia did not influence the higher decline in smokers, said the researchers.

As a person smokes more and more, the brain develops a certain level at which nicotine is required so that the brain can continue receiving pleasure. Because this level becomes increasing large as more nicotine is introduced, it becomes more difficult to satisfy the brain. Thus, many smokers experience withdrawal symptoms.

Cigarette smoking alone caused damage to neuronal viability and cell membranes in the midbrain and on cell membranes of the cerebellar vermis. These brain regions are involved in fine and gross motor functions and balance and coordination.However, the combined effects of alcohol dependence and chronic smoking are associated with greater regional brain damage than chronic alcoholic drinking or smoking alone.

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