This is Your Brain on Smoking

Most people are aware of the negative health affects associated with smoking cigarettes including cancer and coronary heart disease.  In a recent study researchers analyzed data on smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and BMI (body mass index) from a representative sample of 9,000 participants. Using a longitudinal design, the researchers assessed cognitive performance during four year and eight year follow up appointments. Specifically, measures were designed to test delayed recall capabilities, verbal fluency, attention, mental speed, and visual scanning. Not surprisingly, the researchers found that smoking negatively impacts the brain as smoking was consistently related to lower cognitive functioning and impaired memory.
This study may have implications for research on Alzheimer's disease and dementia considering the fact that smoking has been associated with cognitive decline. According to some researchers there are several lifestyle factors that increase the risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline including the following: physical inactivity, smoking, poor control of blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Currently, research strongly supports that maintaining a physically active life style may reduce the risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. These studies have implications for prevention strategies and intervention programs. For instance, smoking negatively impacts endurance during physical activity and many smokers do not maintain physically active lifestyles. Smoking cessation programs may suggest the incorporation of a healthy exercise regimen as exercise reduces stress. People are more likely to give into cravings and relapse when they are stressed and for many people quitting smoking is quite stressful. Exercise could help alleviate the stress commonly experienced when quitting smoking and this could make attempts to quit more successful.  Furthermore, this would stop the cognitive declines that occur due to smoking and maintaining a sedentary lifestyle.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/28/this-is-your-brain-on-smoking/