Planning to quit smoking? There are actually more reasons to interrupt the habit. Other than damaging the lungs and causing deadly diseases like cancer, heart attack and stroke, a recent study has found that each day smokers are at an increased risk of brain shrinkage.
Scientists who analyzed the brain scans of participants from the UK Biobank with self-reported smoking habits found the brains of each day smokers were 0.4 cubic inches smaller than those that never smoked.
The participants took two surveys – once between 2006 to 2010 and the subsequent between 2012 and 2013. In addition they underwent brain MRI examinations. Researchers found the participants who didn’t smoke had larger brain volumes in comparison to smokers.
There was a 0.3 cubic inch dip in the scale of grey matter and a 0.1 cubic inch dip within the white matter amongst smokers. The grey matter of the brain works with emotion and memory, while white matter is related to information transfer.
The study also found that the frequency of smoking also had a powerful association with brain shrinkage.
Those that quit the habit could reverse the decline in brain mass. Researchers suggest that an individual could increase the grey matter volume by 0.005 cubic inches every yr by not smoking.
“That is a vital study.The work is rigorously conducted and the result is significant from a public health perspective,” Dajiang Liu, who studies the genetics of smoking risk on the Penn State College of Medicine and was not involved within the study, told Live Science.
How smoking affects the brain?
Brain shrinkage or cerebral atrophy is related to symptoms like muscle loss, blurred vision, disorientation, lack of coordination, muscle weakness and Alzheimer’s disease.
In line with estimates, 14% of Alzheimer’s disease cases on the planet might be attributed to smoking.
“The link between smoking and Alzheimer’s may occur through the results of smoking on brain morphometry provided that deterioration in gray and white matter is a signature feature of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia,” the researchers wrote.
“Cigarette smoking is related to lower processing speed, poorer general cognitive ability, poorer decision-making, and increased impulsivity. Moreover, it’s related to increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia, particularly in older individuals,” they added.
Tricks to quit smoking
- Try nicotine substitute therapy
- Find your triggers and avoid them
- Chew something to withstand the craving
- Engage in physical activities to distract yourself
- Try rest techniques reminiscent of deep respiration, muscle rest or yoga
- Remind yourself in regards to the health advantages
A recent study has found that each day smokers are at an increased risk of brain shrinkage.
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Published by Medicaldaily.com