New Study Suggests That Smoking ‘Rots’ The Brain
A new study has suggested that smoking ‘rots’ the brain; researchers at King’s College London have concluded that smoking damages memory, reasoning and learning.
The study involved 8,800 people over the age of 50; data about the individuals, including their lifestyle and health, was collected and brain tests were carried out, including learning new words and naming as many animals as possible in a set period of time; the participants were retested after four and eight years.
The study also showed that high blood pressure and being overweight also increased the risk of damage to the brain cells. The results of the study showed that the risk of heart attacks and strokes was “significantly associated with cognitive decline” and also a “consistent association” between smoking and poor performance in the tests.
Dr Alex Dregan, one of the researchers, said that cognitive decline becomes more common as we age and it can start to interfere with daily life; the research team has identified a number of risk factors for cognitive decline, including smoking, which are modifiable. Dr Dregan said that it is important that people are aware of the mental, as well as the physical, implications of smoking.
Dr Simon Ridley, from Alzheimer’s Research UK, said that research has linked smoking and high blood pressure to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia and this latest study lends further support to this relationship.
The Alzheimer’s Society said that most people are aware that smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol are linked to heart health, but this study supports the notion that smoking is also harmful for the head.
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