The Unobvious Harm of Smoking for Mental Health Revealed 0 9

Smoking is associated with a higher risk of depression — this conclusion was reached by scientists from the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim. The study, published in the journal BMC Public Health, showed that depression over a lifetime is more common among current and former smokers than among those who have never smoked.

The analysis included data from nearly 174,000 people aged 19 to 72. Participants reported on their mental health, diagnosed depression, and smoking behavior. It was found that the risk of depression was particularly high among middle-aged individuals — aged 40 to 59. Moreover, a clear dose-dependent relationship was discovered: the more cigarettes a person smoked per day, the more pronounced the depressive symptoms were.

In contrast, quitting smoking was associated with an improvement in mental health. The longer the time since the last cigarette smoked, the lower the risk of depression and the further in the past the last depressive episode was. Researchers also noted that a later onset of smoking is associated with a later appearance of the first symptoms of depression.

The authors emphasize that the study does not allow for claims of a direct causal relationship; however, the results strengthen the arguments for smoking prevention and support for quitting. According to the scientists, reducing tobacco consumption may be important not only for physical health but also for mental health, and future long-term studies will help better understand the mechanisms of this relationship.