Cigarette smoking may have effects on the human brain similar to those of antidepressant drugs, possibly explaining the high rate of smoking among depressed people and their resistance to quitting.
Chronic smoking produces 'antidepressant-like' effects on the human brain. This may contribute to the high incidence of smoking and difficulty to quit in those who are depressed.
Researchers have noted previously that depressed people are more likely to smoke and are more resistant to quitting. However, it was unclear if nicotine or other chemicals taken in during smoking directly affected the brains of those who were depressed.
Researchers examined a portion of the brain associated with depression known as the locus coeruleus. The researchers compared a portion of this brain tissue taken after death from seven people who had been heavy smokers and nine nonsmokers, all of whom had been mentally healthy.
The investigators found that the brains of long-term smokers had neurochemical abnormalities similar to the brains of animals treated with antidepressant drugs.
Specifically, the brains of long-time smokers had significantly fewer alpha-2 adrenoceptors and significantly less of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which helps to manufacture the brain chemicals noradrenaline and dopamine.
These two effects have been reported in animals exposed to antidepressant drugs and are also two of the markers used to identify potential antidepressant medications.
Archives of General Psychiatry September 2001;58:821-827
Interesting to learn that researchers are actually documenting neurochemical effects which support the concept that cigarettes may actually be a drug that smokers are using to treat their underlying chronic anxiety and depression.
This may or may not be true.
But let us assume that it is. Cigarettes may in fact be an effective way to address the underlying emotional issues. Antidepressants actually serve the same purpose. Both treat the underlying emotions in different ways.
However, it is quite clear that neither of them address the underlying cause. Obviously, cigarettes are associated with significant negative health consequences, but in my mind using antidepressants to treat depression makes about as much sense as using cigarettes.
My statement makes absolutely no sense if you are rooted in the traditional paradigm and do not realize that incredibly effective options currently exist.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) in skilled hands can rapidly resolve most cases of depression in short order.
I personally have successfully helped dozens of people go off of their antidepressants with just one or two sessions of EFT.
I am so excited about this approach that I will be writing my first book on Depression and EFT, which should be out next spring. Please read the other article on depression in last issue.
As an aside, many people disagree with my recommendation to not stop smoking and to focus on sugar and grain restrictions. I believe it is a far more important contribution to bad health than cigarettes. Grains break down rapidly to sugar and contribute significantly to weight gain and obesity and definitely need to be restricted.
If one tries to stop smoking prior to improving their eating plan or being treated for the underlying emotional issues, it is likely their underlying anxiety or depression will worsen and the act of trying to improve one's health will actually worsen it.