The effect of smoking on brain health.
Smoking is one of the most consistent and well-researched risk factors for dementia. What is bad for your lungs and heart is almost always bad for your brain as well. Tobacco smoke contains substances that damage blood vessels, increase inflammation, and reduce the supply of oxygen to the brain.
Large studies show that people who smoke have a clearly higher chance of cognitive decline and dementia than non-smokers. Therefore, smoking is a fixed risk factor within the LIBRA score.
Smoking includes all forms where tobacco smoke is inhaled:
cigarettes and rolling tobacco
cigars and pipe
even occasional smoking, if it happens for many years
Not enough is known about e-cigarettes and vaping in the long term. Therefore, they are not considered a safe choice for brain health.
Damage to blood vessels
Smoking damages the inside of blood vessels and accelerates atherosclerosis. This reduces the blood flow to the brain, affecting both large vessels and small capillaries.
Less oxygen for brain cells
Carbon monoxide from smoke displaces oxygen in the blood. The brain is extremely sensitive to oxygen deficiency. Even small shortages, if repeated over time, can cause damage.
Increased inflammation and oxidative stress
Smoking increases inflammatory processes and oxidative stress in the body. These processes also play a role in brain aging and dementia.
Accumulation with other risk factors
Smokers are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. These factors reinforce each other and together increase the risk of cognitive decline.
“I only smoke a few cigarettes a day”
Even light smoking increases the risk. It's not just about the quantity per day, but the duration over the years.
“Quitting makes no sense at my age”
Research shows that the risk of dementia decreases after quitting, even at an older age. The sooner you quit, the greater the effect, but every smoke-free period counts.
“Smoking helps me relax”
Nicotine can temporarily reduce tension, but in the long run, it actually increases stress and restlessness. Many people only realize after quitting that their baseline level of tension decreases.
“E-cigarettes are a healthy solution” The long-term effects on the brain and blood vessels are still insufficiently known. They are therefore not considered a safe alternative.
Quitting is difficult, but it is also one of the most impactful choices for your health.
Choose a clear quit date
A specific moment works better than postponing it. Prepare yourself consciously for this.
Combine tools
The chance of success is greater if you use multiple forms of support, such as nicotine replacements, guidance from your doctor, or a quit-smoking coach.
Prepare for tricky moments
Think ahead about situations where temptation is high, such as with coffee, stress, or after eating. Come up with alternatives you can use.
See relapse as a learning moment
Many people need multiple attempts. A relapse doesn't mean you can't quit, but that you've learned something about what's challenging for you.
If quitting independently is not successful, or if smoking is strongly linked to stress, gloominess, or sleep, professional guidance is beneficial. The general practitioner can assist with counseling and possibly medication that supports quitting.
At Remind, we've gathered the 15 most important modifiable factors for you. You can view each one individually and read about ways to manage them:
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