Smoking cessation decreases anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults with or without psychiatric disorder.
- Quitting smoking has been associated with a decrease in anxiety and depressive symptoms.
- The year 2020 was marked by a rebound in the prevalence of smoking in France.
- Tobacco is responsible for many pathologies.
A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) reveals that quitting smoking for 24 weeks is associated with reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults.
A cohort of more than 4,000 smokers assessed
To reach this conclusion, the researchers constituted and evaluated a cohort of 4,260 smokers aged 26 on average. Participants were divided into two groups: smokers who quit for 24 weeks and those who continued.
Their anxiety and depressive symptom scores were assessed before and after 24 weeks. After analysis, the researchers found a significant correlation between smoking cessation and a decrease in scores for anxiety (-0.40 points) or depression (-0.47 points) compared to continued smoking.
“Sustained smoking cessation for at least 15 weeks has been associated with improved mental health. These findings may reassure smokers and their caregivers that smoking cessation is unlikely to worsen psychological problems,” write the scientists in conclusion.
The year 2020 was marked by a rebound in the prevalence of smoking in France. Nearly a third of 18-75 year olds (31.8%) reported smoking to Public Health France, and a quarter admitted to consuming cigarettes daily (25.5%).
7,000 chemicals
Tobacco smoke contains 7,000 chemical substances, including 70 carcinogens (benzene, arsenic, chromium, tar, etc.). These substances are directly responsible for the majority of tobacco-related pathologies: myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, arteritis of the lower limbs, aneurysms, arterial hypertension, erectile dysfunction, COPD (or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcers -duodenal, type II diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, eczema, psoriasis, lupus, ENT and dental infections, cataracts, AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration), periodontitis, infertility, alteration of the epidermis (wrinkles, dull complexion , yellow fingers), etc.
