By Gregory Kellett, a cognitive neuroscience researcher at SFSU and UCSF, and science writer for Lumos Labs.
A recent research review to be published in the journal Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry shows a link between cigarette smoking and adverse changes in the function and physiology of the brain. Summarizing the findings of dozens of experiments, the review indicates that:
- Strokes are more prevalent in smokers than non-smokers.
- Gray matter (made up of brain cells) shrinks in long-term smokers.
- Smoking is associated with less integrity in the white matter connecting brain hemispheres.
- Puffing tobacco can be bad for neurotransmitters.
There are a few factors clouding the picture however. These include the fact that alcohol consumption often accompanies cigarette smoking and has also been shown to have detrimental effects on the brain.
In addition there is the question of which comes first: brain abnormalities or smoking habits. It is possible that preexisting brain abnormalities increase the likelihood of smoking and addiction. The author suggested more research in order to answer these questions, as well as to determine if these symptoms are reversible after quitting.
References:
Domino, E. (2008). Tobacco Smoking and MRI/MRS Brain Abnormalities Compared to Nonsmokers. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, In press.
9 Comments
The concept that crop circles mean “the key is in your food” should clearly include smoking. As a direct delivery method more developed versions of smoking such as puffers and so on deliver medicines to people fast and efficiently. It would seem that many more regulations limiting food ingredients shall start appearing as food and nutrition science develops towards a better understanding of what foods people need. For example apparently fats which make up most of the brain are still relatively unregulated yet the main cause of illness. Balancing peoples organic nature with the world and the communities that develop is an ongoing puzzle which isn’t just “all in the mind”. Another view is that just as there are UN battles in Africa to control destructive groups similarly there are food battles being waged worldwide to limit destructive foods.
The current view seems that if looking for destructive techniques to add to a brain development program fatiguing techniques (e.g.exercising), alcohol and some forms of meditation are most favoured. Alcohol is a very basic passive destructive technique and generally more active techniques seem to produce more neural development. e.g. like comparing a town being hit by a typhoon or battling the neighbouring city for a week OR a town made of bamboo pole houses up against a wind storm or fighting the neighbouring village.
I don’t know what either of the above comments really have to do with smoking, but I was wondering, as someone who’s tried smoking (don’t worry, I’m done with it now), I found that at times it increased my ability to concentrate. Does anyone know of any research done to back that up?
Hello Nickolai,
Nicotine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system through its action on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This may well have been what was influencing your ability to focus.
I heard a hypnotherapist say that they had found one common feature of alcohol and nicotine users was that they are depressed people. Another finding from chemical researchers was that such people tend to be of a type that need a lot of stimulation. Which again suggests a depressed state. From my experience of them such as a girl that said she had no fear and would crash all the time when mountain biking they can appear the ADHD or lots of theta or “thick” sorts of people.
Even from a computer (~intelligence) perspective where the idea is to increase the processing speed and the RAM (~working memory) nicotine seems to shoot itself in the foot. A quick search suggests that it would seem to perhaps increase the processing speed but it also adds a feel good chemical that probably drops the processing speed and makes it perhaps only useful as a touchy feelly drug for depressed people interacting. And it doesnt seem to do anything about beefing up the RAM.
Wow, Nikolai, I had never heard of anything like that, though it wouldn’t surprise me. There are tons of supplements, drugs, herbs that increase alertnesses. Caffeine for example. Also there is Gingko Billoba, and one of my preferred, Omega 3. I am serious when I say that it will do wonders for your brain. Our brains are almost 70% fat (DHA) and it is very important that we replenish what we use. Neurovi’s Omega 3 has higher levels of DHA vs. any of the other popular brands I know. So if you are searching for something ELSE to help you concentrate try it.. right now I think they are even offering a 12% discount if enter the code “gift of health”. I hope that helps you!
Very interesting.
i think smoking does reduce ur thinking process as it does eventually reduce ur blood flow and now contain some co2 rather than oxygen which in turns slows down the process
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