Cigarette smoking causes anxiety, new study finds

If you’re still lighting up thinking that you’ll be a nervous wreck if you don’t, that idea just went up in smoke. (Sorry…worst pun ever?)

A new British study has found that kicking the habit can actually make you feel a whole lot better.

So much for the myth that smoking calms our nerves — one long used by Big Tobacco to encourage combat troops to take it up.

The findings were based on questions put to people who smoked between 10 and 40 cigarettes a day, both before and after they attempted to quit. Those who succeeded said they felt less anxious, stressed and depressed than those who didn’t.

The study showed that “when you stop smoking and you break the nicotine withdrawal cycle, your mental health improves,” according to its lead investigator.

So while having a cigarette might seem to “calm your nerves,” once you put it out, you’re thinking about the next one. The researchers found that after each smoke was done, withdrawal anxiety begins again.

So you’re basically quitting again and again all throughout the day (not to mention the “where can I smoke?” anxiety).

Listen — as an ex-smoker, I know it’s not easy. And I know that the last thing you need is one more person telling you to quit.

But this study finally shows that you’ll feel a lot better when you do — for so many reasons.

Sources:
“Quitting smoking boosts mood as much as antidepressant drug: study” February 14, 2014, News Max Health, newsmaxhealth.com