Many people reach for a smoke — tobacco, marijuana, or vape — to relieve stress. Others believe these substances boost mood or ease anxiety.
But in fact, the opposite is true. Puffing on either nicotine or marijuana poses risks to your mental health. And together, a new study finds, they’re linked to more than double the risk of anxiety and depression.
Fortunately, treatment can improve mental health and help you kick harmful habits. Here’s what you need to know.
Dragging Down Your Mood
About one in three U.S. smokers already has a mental health condition. And nicotine worsens anxiety, stress, and depression in the long run. Meanwhile, marijuana is also linked to psychiatric problems, including sadness, anxiety, and feeling paranoid or disoriented.
Pairing these substances causes greater harm to mental health than either alone, research now shows.
Why? One reason could be their toxic effects on the brain. A double dose of damage to neurons and other tissues could worsen the impact of each substance. What’s more, quitting either nicotine or marijuana may be harder when you’re using both.
Where to Get Help
If you’re among the three in 10 Americans who have issues with mental health or substance use, there’s good news — quitting smoking improves both mental health and quality of life.
Even better: You don’t have to do it by yourself. Treatment works. And though it might take some time, you can find a healthcare professional or program that’s right for you.
WE CAN HELP YOU QUIT!
CRH offers several options to help support you on your journey to quit. For more info, please call 812-375-3194, email [email protected] or visit crh.org/quit.
Quit Now Indiana (QNI) also offers free and confidential tobacco treatment services to help Hoosiers and nicotine dependence. Call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669), text READY to 34191 or visit quitnowindiana.com.