Smoking Causes Brain Shrinkage, But Quitting May Prevent Further Loss

• A recent study reveals that smoking cigarettes leads to a reduction in brain size, with the extent of damage increasing with both the quantity and duration of smoking.
  
  
• This shrinkage of the brain is associated with a higher risk of experiencing cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
• While quitting smoking can prevent further brain shrinkage, it's essential to note that any damage already done cannot be reversed.
  
  
• Consequently, the study's authors advise that individuals of all ages who smoke should prioritise quitting this harmful habit.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri (WashUMed) has revealed that smoking cigarettes leads to a reduction in brain size. This shrinkage of the brain is also associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The study results indicate that quitting smoking at any point can halt further loss of grey matter in the brain. However, it's important to note that the brain cannot fully regain its original mass once brain shrinkage occurs.

While the harmful effects of smoking on the lungs and heart have long been recognised, there has been comparatively less research on its impact on the brain. Dr. Laura J. Bierut, the director of WashUMed's Health & Behavior Research Center and the study's senior author, led the research team in addressing this gap in our understanding of smoking's detrimental effects.

The study's findings have been recently published in Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science.

Smoking Causes Brain Shrinkage, Raises Dementia Risk

Previous research has suggested that smokers are at a higher risk of developing dementia, with approximately 14% of Alzheimer's cases possibly linked to smoking.

To understand the relationship between brain shrinkage and cigarette smoking, researchers had to unravel the influence of both behavioural and genetic factors. Both genetics and a propensity to smoke can impact brain shrinkage, with genetics accounting for about half of a person's inclination to smoke.

The study examined data from the UK Biobank, released in 2019, which included 32,094 participants of European descent and their brain-imaging information. Participants reported their smoking habits.

The researchers analysed the number of years people had smoked, particularly those who smoked a pack of 20 cigarettes daily. They compared their brain scans with those who had never smoked or smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes.

The findings showed that individuals who smoked more cigarettes experienced more significant brain shrinkage.

Why Does Brain Shrinkage Lead To Cognitive Decline?

Brain shrinkage, or atrophy, entails the loss of neurons and their connections, which can hinder the brain's proper functioning. In conditions like Alzheimer's disease and dementia, specific vital areas of the brain can shrink, leading to a loss of function.

For instance, the hippocampus, essential for memory formation, often experiences significant atrophy in Alzheimer's disease. This atrophy can impede communication between brain regions, resulting in cognitive decline.

It's important to note that reduced brain volume is associated with the natural ageing process. In essence, individuals who smoke tend to have brains that exhibit signs of ageing.

Smoking Causes Brain Damage.

Smoking exposes individuals to numerous harmful chemicals, leading to chronic low oxygen levels in the bloodstream. This persistent oxygen deprivation is detrimental to the brain since the brain relies heavily on oxygen for optimal function.

Smoking can inflict various harms on the brain, including vascular damage that diminishes blood flow to the brain, causing cell death and atrophy. Additionally, smoking induces oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can harm brain cells and their supporting structures.

Furthermore, certain chemicals in cigarettes possess neurotoxic properties and can directly harm brain cells. Smoking also has the potential to disrupt the levels of various neurotransmitters in the brain, which could contribute to neural damage and gradual brain atrophy over time.

Benefits Of Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking ranks among the most crucial steps for preserving your health. The longer and more heavily you smoke, the more you accelerate the ageing of your brain. What's important to remember is that there is always time to quit, even for older individuals. Quitting can still yield health benefits, even in later stages of life.

Considering the global trend of an ageing population, we face a growing challenge of dementia prevalence. As a result, this presents a significant public health concern, and our focus should be on reducing preventable risk factors for dementia to ensure a healthier older generation.

Furthermore, it's not only adults who need to quit smoking. Young adults and teenagers' brains are still developing, and exposing them to the harmful effects of smoking during these critical phases can result in more substantial long-term damage. Starting smoking at a younger age is associated with more significant potential harm throughout one's lifetime."

How To Stop Smoking

A multi-faceted approach to quitting smoking, as recommended by experts, combines counselling therapy intending to alter behaviour and supportive medication. This approach involves the use of seven medications approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which include nicotine replacement products like patches, lozenges, gum, inhalers, and nasal sprays, as well as oral medications such as varenicline and bupropion SR.

Joining support groups and collaborating with others who have successfully quit smoking can be highly beneficial in one's journey to quit. Sharing a common goal with others can provide motivation and encouragement. Additionally, substituting the urge to smoke with healthier activities like reading or engaging in physical exercise can be helpful.

Some individuals may find that specific triggers prompt their desire to smoke. It's essential to identify and avoid these personal triggers to break the smoking habit successfully. It's worth noting that using e-cigarettes, or vaping, is not a safe or effective method for quitting smoking.

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