Non-smoking makes you mentally healthy and happy

No smoking makes the study happier

02/15/2014

No smoking makes you happier, says a new British study. Accordingly, non-smokers are less depressed, anxious or stressed. This applies to both the mentally ill and healthy.

Non-smoking acts like antidepressants
People who quit smoking become happier. This is the conclusion of a new British study. Like the scientists of the University of Birmingham in the journal „British Medical Journal“ As a result of the abstinence from smoking, the mood is raised at least as much as the treatment with antidepressants. The researchers compared a total of 26 studies on the subject for their study.

More positive view of things
The average age of smokers examined was 44 and they were „mediocre depending“, smoked between ten and forty cigarettes a day. Just under half (48 percent) were men. They were asked about depressive moods or their level of stress both before their smoking cessation and at least six weeks later. Those who managed to quit smoking were less depressed, anxious, or stressed. They generally had a more positive view of things than those who had failed smoking.

Effects on therapy mentally ill
As the researchers wrote to Study Director Gemma Taylor, this applies to the mentally ill as well as to the mentally healthy. However, the results were not reviewed at a later date. Like Falk Kiefer, an addiction researcher and physician at the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim, as an independent expert „mirror“ communicated, the study could „have a significant impact on the treatment of the mentally ill.“ Because „especially in patients with mental illness, doctors and therapists are very cautious in terms of the recommendation of a nicotine withdrawal.“ Smoking is often tolerated because of the idea that 'we can not do that to them'. The study results would argue for rethinking this practice.

Eliminate wrong ideas
In an interview with news agency AFP, study director Taylor of the University of Birmingham expressed the hope that the results help eliminate some misconceptions, such as that smoking relaxes or helps relieve stress. She also pointed out that the mental health status of smokers is worse.

Smoking as a trigger for diseases
For a long time, smoking has been the cause of many illnesses. Thus, the uptake of tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and other pollutants via the lungs leads to increased cancers in the area of ​​the pharynx and larynx, the esophagus and the lungs. It also increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, kidney cancer and bladder cancer. In addition, there are severe respiratory complaints such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or smoker's cough. Furthermore, when smoking the cardiovascular system is affected. Consequence, for example, the coronary heart disease and associated with a significantly increased risk of heart attack. Tobacco use is also regarded as a significant risk factor for a stroke. So there are enough reasons to quit smoking. (Sb)