Aa
Smoking cigs and intense anxiety
I only smoke a few cigs a day but it seems like they are the cause of a lot of the physical symptoms I experience. I know they are horrible and I need to quit which I'm in the process of doing. I was wondering if they could be one of the main reasons I'm experiencing some of these physical symptoms. I'm well aware of the fact that they are a stimulant and cause blood vessel constriction, breathing issues, increased heart rate blood pressure etc...I just want to know if by quiting I could reduce some of the anxiety symptoms I have. Are there any methods or treatments anyone can suggest on quitting cigs? I serious about commiting to breaking this habit.
Well, just google it you will see... cigarette smoking is a potent mao-a inhibitor who increase the serotonin and a lot of other neurotransmitters in the brain who have an effect on depression and mood... no wonder why a lot of peoples who have depression or anxiety have so much difficulty to stop smoking... as an exemple:
Brain monoamine oxidase A
inhibition in cigarette smokers
by
Fowler JS, Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Pappas N,
Logan J, Shea C, Alexoff D, MacGregor RR,
Schlyer DJ, Zezulkova I, Wolf AP
Chemistry Department,
Brookhaven National Laboratory,
Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA.
***@****
J Addict Dis 1998; 17(1):23-34
ABSTRACT
Several studies have documented a strong association between smoking and depression. Because cigarette smoke has been reported to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) A in vitro and in animals and because MAO A inhibitors are effective antidepressants, we tested the hypothesis that MAO A would be reduced in the brain of cigarette smokers. We compared brain MAO A in 15 nonsmokers and 16 current smokers with [11C]clorgyline and positron emission tomography (PET). Four of the nonsmokers were also treated with the antidepressant MAO inhibitor drug, tranylcypromine (10 mg/day for 3 days) after the baseline PET scan and then rescanned to assess the sensitivity of [11C]clorgyline binding to MAO inhibition. MAO A levels were quantified by using the model term lambda k3 which is a function of brain MAO A concentration. Smokers had significantly lower brain MAO A than nonsmokers in all brain regions examined (average reduction, 28%). The mean lambda k3 values for the whole brain were 0.18 +/- 0.04 and 0.13 +/- 0.03 ccbrain (mlplasma)-1 min-1 for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively; P < 0.0003). Tranyl-cypromine treatment reduced lambda k3 by an average of 58% for the different brain regions. Our results show that tobacco smoke exposure is associated with a marked reduction in brain MAO A, and this reduction is about half of that produced by a brief treatment with tranylcypromine. This suggests that MAO A inhibition needs to be considered as a potential contributing variable in the high rate of smoking in depression and in the development of more effective strategies for smoking cessation.
Brain monoamine oxidase A
inhibition in cigarette smokers
by
Fowler JS, Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Pappas N,
Logan J, Shea C, Alexoff D, MacGregor RR,
Schlyer DJ, Zezulkova I, Wolf AP
Chemistry Department,
Brookhaven National Laboratory,
Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA.
***@****
J Addict Dis 1998; 17(1):23-34
ABSTRACT
Several studies have documented a strong association between smoking and depression. Because cigarette smoke has been reported to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) A in vitro and in animals and because MAO A inhibitors are effective antidepressants, we tested the hypothesis that MAO A would be reduced in the brain of cigarette smokers. We compared brain MAO A in 15 nonsmokers and 16 current smokers with [11C]clorgyline and positron emission tomography (PET). Four of the nonsmokers were also treated with the antidepressant MAO inhibitor drug, tranylcypromine (10 mg/day for 3 days) after the baseline PET scan and then rescanned to assess the sensitivity of [11C]clorgyline binding to MAO inhibition. MAO A levels were quantified by using the model term lambda k3 which is a function of brain MAO A concentration. Smokers had significantly lower brain MAO A than nonsmokers in all brain regions examined (average reduction, 28%). The mean lambda k3 values for the whole brain were 0.18 +/- 0.04 and 0.13 +/- 0.03 ccbrain (mlplasma)-1 min-1 for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively; P < 0.0003). Tranyl-cypromine treatment reduced lambda k3 by an average of 58% for the different brain regions. Our results show that tobacco smoke exposure is associated with a marked reduction in brain MAO A, and this reduction is about half of that produced by a brief treatment with tranylcypromine. This suggests that MAO A inhibition needs to be considered as a potential contributing variable in the high rate of smoking in depression and in the development of more effective strategies for smoking cessation.
TX35, I have to disagree with you on "a cigarette is a natural anti-depressant". Because if that was the case I'd be smoking more than a pack a day. lol.
Thx 2 you all for your comments! Nursegirl you are the most dedicated and insightful person on here thank you for expressing your knowledge and concern.
Hi,
I also smoke and have the same kind of side-effects than you...the first cigarette in the morning is the worse, my pulse rate increase to 130-140, my hands and feet are all sweat and most of the time I have a kind of "mini" panic attack... not a full panic attack...
So yes, smoking increase the anxiety BUT like nursegirl wrote, you have to find out why it's making you more anxious... for me, the problem is that I have a fear of dying from a heart attack and deal with chest pain all day long since a while as well as an unstable blood pressure and pulse rate. So when I smoke the first cigarette in the morning, I feel like my heart will explode!!! I hate that feeling and also want to quit...
What can help you to quit? Good question... I try several times last winter with the help of Nicorette patch and lozenge with no luck... I also some years ago to stop with meds, and I find out that meds like the Champix or the Zyban have nasty side-effects and give a lot of anxiety... the Zyban is an antidepressant med and not a good one for someone anxious trust me... I had many panic attack while I was taking it and at the time I didn't had a panic disorder problem...and the Champix is giving anxiety, panic attack and insomnia to people who never experience those kind of symptoms usually...
My dad who was a heavy smoker for more than 50 years, 2 pack a day, slowly reduce the number of cigarettes he smoke over a 6 months period and one day, he go to his work without his pack of cigarette and never smoke again, it was 10 years ago and he still don't smoke and feel much better...
For some people like me, it's impossible to reduce slowly, I know who I am and how it's working in my head and reducing will lead to smoke more in a long term view...
I plan to quit really soon (1 week or less) with the help of my best friend and nicorette lozenges... he will stop at the same time than me and we will help each other... I also take an appointment with someone who do a kind of therapy to stop smoking, making a plan like a list of the situations who make you smoke the most, the places to avoid, things you can do to distract yourself and avoid to think about smooking... things like that... Relaxation will also help I think, I plan to start taking some yoga courses soon...
Also, I understand that stop smoking can lead to more anxiety in a short-term view, but I think it's better to stop even if you have an anxiety disorder who is not under control than continue... My Doc also told me it was not the good time to stop, he even told me that smoking cigarettes was a natural antidepressant med...the only good side-effect of the cigarette... but I want to quit and I know I will feel less anxious about my heart...Of course, if you are in the middle of a big depression, maybe it's not the good time, but anyway continue to smoke or stop smoking you will have anxiety either, so I think it's better to stop than continue...
Good luck to you ;-)
I also smoke and have the same kind of side-effects than you...the first cigarette in the morning is the worse, my pulse rate increase to 130-140, my hands and feet are all sweat and most of the time I have a kind of "mini" panic attack... not a full panic attack...
So yes, smoking increase the anxiety BUT like nursegirl wrote, you have to find out why it's making you more anxious... for me, the problem is that I have a fear of dying from a heart attack and deal with chest pain all day long since a while as well as an unstable blood pressure and pulse rate. So when I smoke the first cigarette in the morning, I feel like my heart will explode!!! I hate that feeling and also want to quit...
What can help you to quit? Good question... I try several times last winter with the help of Nicorette patch and lozenge with no luck... I also some years ago to stop with meds, and I find out that meds like the Champix or the Zyban have nasty side-effects and give a lot of anxiety... the Zyban is an antidepressant med and not a good one for someone anxious trust me... I had many panic attack while I was taking it and at the time I didn't had a panic disorder problem...and the Champix is giving anxiety, panic attack and insomnia to people who never experience those kind of symptoms usually...
My dad who was a heavy smoker for more than 50 years, 2 pack a day, slowly reduce the number of cigarettes he smoke over a 6 months period and one day, he go to his work without his pack of cigarette and never smoke again, it was 10 years ago and he still don't smoke and feel much better...
For some people like me, it's impossible to reduce slowly, I know who I am and how it's working in my head and reducing will lead to smoke more in a long term view...
I plan to quit really soon (1 week or less) with the help of my best friend and nicorette lozenges... he will stop at the same time than me and we will help each other... I also take an appointment with someone who do a kind of therapy to stop smoking, making a plan like a list of the situations who make you smoke the most, the places to avoid, things you can do to distract yourself and avoid to think about smooking... things like that... Relaxation will also help I think, I plan to start taking some yoga courses soon...
Also, I understand that stop smoking can lead to more anxiety in a short-term view, but I think it's better to stop even if you have an anxiety disorder who is not under control than continue... My Doc also told me it was not the good time to stop, he even told me that smoking cigarettes was a natural antidepressant med...the only good side-effect of the cigarette... but I want to quit and I know I will feel less anxious about my heart...Of course, if you are in the middle of a big depression, maybe it's not the good time, but anyway continue to smoke or stop smoking you will have anxiety either, so I think it's better to stop than continue...
Good luck to you ;-)
I agree with nursegirl6572.
I'm ALWAYS coming up with things saying "HEY! That's maybe why I have such bad anxiety and worry so much!"
Smoking is not good for you... but I know it's not the reason for my anxiety.
I think the most smoking can do for some anxiety sufferers is up their heart rate some.
I don't have "heart anxiety" so feeling my heart beat a little faster after smoking doesnt even dawn on me. I don't even know if I realize my heart beats any faster after smoking.
So yes, smoking could possibly make some of your symptoms a tad worse, like if you are having heart palpitations, it may increase your heart rate a little... if your lightheaded, it may make you a wee bit more lightheaded for a minute from the buzz...
but it's like running. Should I stop running b/c it makes my heart palpitations worse? lol. no of course not.
Smoking doesnt cause anxiety... Anxiety causes anxiety. Thoughts cause anxiety.
I too am a smoker... and I smoke more when I'm extra anxious.
QUITTING IS GREAT! GO FOR IT! Work on the anxiety 1st though if you are having issues, b/c quitting while anxious may increase your anxiety symptoms. That's why my Dr. has advised me to not totally quit yet. haha. Believe it or not.
You don't hear much Doctors out there telling you to go ahead and keep smoking, just cut back some. lol. But HE KNOWS it will be easier for me to quit after my anxiety is under control.
That's my recommendation. =)
Good luck to you!
I'm ALWAYS coming up with things saying "HEY! That's maybe why I have such bad anxiety and worry so much!"
Smoking is not good for you... but I know it's not the reason for my anxiety.
I think the most smoking can do for some anxiety sufferers is up their heart rate some.
I don't have "heart anxiety" so feeling my heart beat a little faster after smoking doesnt even dawn on me. I don't even know if I realize my heart beats any faster after smoking.
So yes, smoking could possibly make some of your symptoms a tad worse, like if you are having heart palpitations, it may increase your heart rate a little... if your lightheaded, it may make you a wee bit more lightheaded for a minute from the buzz...
but it's like running. Should I stop running b/c it makes my heart palpitations worse? lol. no of course not.
Smoking doesnt cause anxiety... Anxiety causes anxiety. Thoughts cause anxiety.
I too am a smoker... and I smoke more when I'm extra anxious.
QUITTING IS GREAT! GO FOR IT! Work on the anxiety 1st though if you are having issues, b/c quitting while anxious may increase your anxiety symptoms. That's why my Dr. has advised me to not totally quit yet. haha. Believe it or not.
You don't hear much Doctors out there telling you to go ahead and keep smoking, just cut back some. lol. But HE KNOWS it will be easier for me to quit after my anxiety is under control.
That's my recommendation. =)
Good luck to you!
Good point...I should have mentioned that, but was only focused on the "smoking issue".
Guess we should all head over to the "quit smoking forum" now huh? lol
Guess we should all head over to the "quit smoking forum" now huh? lol
Two things...yes, smoking triggers anxiety, no doubt.
HOWEVER, I think you're still searching for an obvious answer as to why you feel anxious. While smoking may exacerbate anxiety, it is not the sole reason for it. You still would be smart to start addressing it with a professional.
If it was as easy as quitting smoking and ALL of your anxiety would go away...that would be awesome...but please try to be realistic, it's unlikely.
Lastly, when you figure out an easy way to quit, let me know. I need to do the same! ;0)
HOWEVER, I think you're still searching for an obvious answer as to why you feel anxious. While smoking may exacerbate anxiety, it is not the sole reason for it. You still would be smart to start addressing it with a professional.
If it was as easy as quitting smoking and ALL of your anxiety would go away...that would be awesome...but please try to be realistic, it's unlikely.
Lastly, when you figure out an easy way to quit, let me know. I need to do the same! ;0)
YES!!
I too have that bad habit, and I know that smoking DOES cause anxiety.
As a matter of fact, I have an appointment today to talk to a professional on how to break this nasty habit.
My mom was the most anxious person I have ever known...until she quit smoking.
Her anxiety was heightened when she knew that she had to quit, but a few days later it was all over with.
I have tried all sorts of prescription meds to help, but I am very sensitive to meds...so they normally do the opposite for me.
My husband used chantrix or champix ( can't remember the name right now) and it helped him totally. You smoke for the first week or two while on the pills and then all of a sudden you don't want to smoke anymore.
There are all sorts of stop smoking books as well. Another member on here suggested reading Allen Carr's "easy way to stop smoking."
The patch works for some people, as well as gum, inhalers, etc.
There are many ways to quit, but most suggest cold turkey.
I have tried cold turkey many times, but I'm too "weak".
I'll let you know later what this specialist suggests for me...might help you too.
I too have that bad habit, and I know that smoking DOES cause anxiety.
As a matter of fact, I have an appointment today to talk to a professional on how to break this nasty habit.
My mom was the most anxious person I have ever known...until she quit smoking.
Her anxiety was heightened when she knew that she had to quit, but a few days later it was all over with.
I have tried all sorts of prescription meds to help, but I am very sensitive to meds...so they normally do the opposite for me.
My husband used chantrix or champix ( can't remember the name right now) and it helped him totally. You smoke for the first week or two while on the pills and then all of a sudden you don't want to smoke anymore.
There are all sorts of stop smoking books as well. Another member on here suggested reading Allen Carr's "easy way to stop smoking."
The patch works for some people, as well as gum, inhalers, etc.
There are many ways to quit, but most suggest cold turkey.
I have tried cold turkey many times, but I'm too "weak".
I'll let you know later what this specialist suggests for me...might help you too.
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