How You Can Curb Depression If You Stop Smoking

by Jerry Herman Jansen

Cigarettes are, of course, toxic substances, and smoking can prevent you from getting your body into balance. Cigarettes cause breathing difficulties and hinder your ability to exercise; tar is also a culprit in smoking-induced lung cancer and emphysema. In addition, cigarettes can worsen the side effects of antidepressants. Bicotine constricts blood vessels, which can disrupt the blood flow to the sex organs and thereby aggravate any sexual problems brought on by antidepressants can also simulate the adrenal glands to release stress hormones, which can aggravate an adrenal gland's function brought on by a previous depression or medical condition.

Unfortunately, smoking appeals to people who are depressed. A survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health; found that 76 percent of people with a history of depression "had ever smoked" compared with 52 percent of the general population. This is because nicotine acts in many ways like an antidepressant. It revs up your body and has a mood-boosting effect. Since smoking can also be difficult to stop, I don't recommend that you try to kick the habit while you're getting started on this program. Focus on incorporating this fundamental into your life, and give yourself a few months to get used to these lifestyle changes.

My prescription for quitting smoking: There are a number of options available when you're ready to quit smoking, but you will notice that quitting is easier once you have integrated the program into your life. First~ your doctor may prescribe bupropion (called Wellbutrin or Zyban) to carefully add to your antidepressant regimen. Research has shown that bupropion counteracts nicotine withdrawal symptoms (headaches, fatigue, the jitters) and helps substitute for the antidepressant effects you get from cigarettes. Stay on bupropion for as long as your doctor advises.

Nicotine replacement therapy (available via a patch, chewing gum, and nasal spray), which delivers small, controlled doses of nicotine, is another option and has a 20 to a 45 percent success rate.

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