People living with mental health problems are more likely to smoke and can find it harder to stop, but quitting is possible and can bring real benefits. Many people notice that stopping smoking long term improves mood, reduces anxiety, and boosts overall wellbeing. Our trained staff understand the connection between smoking and mental health, and we’re here to give you the right support, guidance and encouragement at every stage of your quit smoking journey.
Anxiety
Smoking is linked to increased anxiety, not relief, with quitting shown to significantly reduce anxiety and improve mental well-being in the long run. While many smokers believe cigarettes offer stress relief, studies show the belief is a myth; smoking can trap individuals in a vicious cycle of addiction and increased tension. Quitting smoking can lead to a significant and lasting improvement in anxiety, even for those who smoked to cope with stress.
Depression
Smoking is linked to a higher risk of major depression. People with depression are twice as likely to smoke compared to those without depression.
Depressed people often have low dopamine levels, which affects their mood. They might smoke to temporarily boost dopamine and feel better. But smoking harms the brain’s ability to produce dopamine over time, causing dopamine levels to drop and making people want to smoke even more.
Most people start smoking before showing signs of depression. Some research suggests that smoking might actually cause depression, not just the other way around. Studies show smoking increases the risk of major depression.
The connection between smoking and depression could be due to genetics. Other reasons people with depression smoke more include stress and social difficulties. Nicotine can act like an antidepressant in the short term, so some people use smoking to self-medicate.
Bipolar
Bipolar disorder, once called manic depression, causes big changes in a person’s mood, energy, and daily functioning. While it’s not clear if smoking causes bipolar disorder, people with bipolar disorder tend to smoke more than others.
One study showed that bipolar patients who smoke often start having symptoms earlier, experience worse symptoms, have tried to commit suicide, and often also have anxiety or substance abuse problems. Another study found a link between smoking and thinking about suicide
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
There has been shown to be strong links between people who have a diagnosis of ADHD and smoking, those with this condition tend to smoke more and find it trickier to stop as smoking seems to help with attention, and cognitive performance. Some research indicates that nicotine can work in a similar way to ADHD medication which explains why people sometimes use smoking to self-medicate.
Our advisors are aware of these links and will be able to give you the best guidance, product advice and support to get you through these challenges.
Schizophrenia
People living with schizophrenia are more likely to smoke than others. Some may smoke because nicotine seems to help with focus, memory and feelings of reward.
Smoking can also affect how some antipsychotic medications work; smokers often need higher doses of medication than non-smokers. For Clozapine users for example, their dose is likely to need to be reduced to avoid side effects, so getting medical support when quitting is essential so your medication can be safely adjusted.
The good news is that quitting smoking does not make schizophrenia symptoms any worse and with the right support people with schizophrenia can and do quit successfully. Withdrawal can feel more difficult in the early weeks, but support is there every step of the way. Stop smoking medications, vapes, alongside advice and encouragement give the best chance of success.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
There is a strong link between post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and smoking, with smoking rates being significantly higher. Many people with the diagnosis say they smoke to cope with distressing symptoms. Research shows that those with PTSD often smoke heavily and experience stronger cravings making quitting more challenging.
The good news is that support works. With the right combination of advice, stop smoking medications, and encouragement people with PTSD can stop smoking successfully. Quitting not only improves physical heath but can also support recovery and overall wellbeing.
Q&A
Smoking helps me with stress …
Cigarette smokers often report that smoking helps to relieve feelings of anxiety and stress.
When you smoke, nicotine quickly reaches your brain, giving you a short burst of pleasure and calm. As nicotine leaves your body it, causes the anxiety and irritability that smokers feel. Many smokers often mistake withdrawal symptoms for everyday stress, leading them to smoke another cigarette. The cigarette itself temporarily relieves these symptoms, creating a false belief that smoking reduces stress, when it is actually causing more harm over time, both physically and mentally. Quitting, in fact, improves mood and helps with stress in the long run.
Will stopping smoking effect my Mental Health?
Evidence shows that smoking doesn’t improve mental health. Smoking may appear to improve how you feel, but that is often just the relief of withdrawal symptoms after you haven’t smoked for a while.
Quitting smoking is not always easy and you might worry that giving up cigarettes will only add to your stress. But quitting will help you feel calmer and more in control. When you quit, the natural chemicals in your brain, like dopamine, start to balance out, which helps lift your mood. Smoking doesn’t solve your problems. It just hides them for a bit. When you quit, you’ll find healthier ways to handle stress without relying on cigarettes.
In the first few weeks after stopping smoking, you could feel more irritable, anxious or feel restless. These are common nicotine withdrawal symptoms, but the good news is, this is only temporary. Studies have shown that you aren’t likely to experience a worsening in your mood long‐term.
If you are struggling with severe anxiety or changes in mood, then contact a health professional for advice and support.
Will I gain weight?
Nicotine in cigarettes helps suppress your appetite, so when you quit, your appetite may increase. After 48 hours of stopping smoking, your taste and smell get better, so food might also taste nicer, and you could feel hungrier. Don’t let weigh worries stop you from quitting smoking, most people gain some weight after quitting smoking. This is normal, so try not to worry. The health benefits of quitting smoking are much more important than the risk of gaining a little weight.
If you experience any changes in weight and want to manage them, here are a few helpful tips:
- Eat a balanced diet: Choose nutritious meals that include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains.
- Stay active: Light exercise, like walking, can boost your fitness and help reduce cigarette cravings.
- Consider support tools: Some stop-smoking aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), can help manage weight by curbing appetite and increasing metabolism.