How Does Smoking Affect Your Brain? What Harvard Health Publishing And More Doctors Think.

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Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine

M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA

The nicotine in tobacco products affects the brain in a wide variety of ways. In teenagers, nicotine use is associated with decreased attention and concentration and emotional lability, as well as leading to addiction. For everyone, the many other unhealthy products inhaled when smoking tobacco increases the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. In addition, smoking is a major risk factor for stroke.

Answered by Dr. Marcelle Freire

Doctor of Medicine · 3 years of experience · Brazil

The central nervous system, of which the brain is a part, is rich in receptors that function through activation by neurotransmitters. Nicotine, an important substance in cigarettes, affects the entire neurotransmitter system by activating several receptors and, thereby, modifying the brain response in several domains: sensorimotor and cognition, affecting functions such as memory and learning. Initially they can cause a feeling of well-being and pleasure, but with long-term consumption and in substantial amounts, it is observed that there seems to be an association between nicotine use and cognitive impairment. In addition, as it predisposes to the formation of cholesterol plaques (known as atheroma) in the arteries, it can cause vascular compromise in the brain, so that indirectly it can also influence cognitive losses through vascular mechanisms and not only through direct action on neurotransmitters.

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Answered by Dr. Wesley D Palmer

Doctor of Medicine · 23 years of experience · USA

Smoking increase the risk of having an ischemic stroke in the brain. Smoking tobacco products and e-cigarettes containing nicotine are highly addictive. Animal models show that nicotine changes the brain biology in rats. These findings raise concern that nicotine may change the neurochemical biology in the human brain, particularly adolescents’ whose brains are still developing.

Answered by Dr. Marcella Abunahman Pereira

Specialization in Clinical Cardiology · 12 years of experience · Brazil

Nicotine stimulates the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is involved in triggering positive feelings. Thus, it improves mood, concentration, decreases anger, anxiety and stress, relaxes muscles and reduces appetite. When the supply of nicotine decreases, it leads to nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as anger, frustration, irritability, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.

Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.