Although studies have shown that smoking is associated with memory loss, an article in a Harvard Health newsletter points out that it's unknown whether smoking directly affects memory, or contributes to other conditions that in turn cause memory loss. Smoking also impairs lung and cardiovascular function, both important elements in retaining memory skills as people age.
Memory Loss and Aging
Some degree of memory loss is normal as you age. Gary W Small, Parlow-Solomon professor on aging, states that about 40 percent of Americans aged 65 or older have "age associated memory impairment." He summarizes that lifestyle choices--such as quitting smoking--can positively impact both physical and mental health, including maintaining a strong memory.
Effects
Smoking affects many physical processes. The Harvard Health newsletter lists impaired lung function and constriction of blood vessels to the brain as two factors that can contribute to memory loss. Other causes include increased risk of hypertension and stroke; both potentially injurious to brain function. The Vaxa website claims that toxic ingredients in cigarettes may lead to brain damage and cause memory loss.
Smoking and Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease, characterized by both short- and long-term memory loss and gradual decline of cognitive ability. A University of California, San Francisco, analysis of unbiased studies published from 1984 to 2007 concluded that smoking almost doubled the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Mental Illness and Smoking: a Double-Edged Sword
Depressed individuals are more likely to be smokers, according to the Harvard Health newsletter. Since chronic depression impairs memory, it is difficult to determine whether smoking contributes to memory loss in those who are depressed. On the other hand, the Yale office of communication published a 2002 article detailing a study that showed smoking improved cognitive functioning and memory in schizophrenics. Smoking schizophrenics have better visuospatial working memory than non-smoking schizophrenics, although nicotine doesn't affect non-schizophrenics in the same way, said the Yale researchers. Since smoking is undeniably harmful, researchers are working to find nicotine-like drugs that may help with cognitive functioning in schizophrenics without the harmful effects of smoking.
Prevention/Solution
It's no secret that cigarette smoking harms not only your memory but also your overall health. As Gary W Small states, "What is healthy for the body is healthy for the brain." Quitting smoking is not easy. Your doctor can help you come up with a plan to stop smoking, there are many quit-smoking aids on the market and the Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute maintains a helpful website to help you quit smoking.
References
- Harvard Health Publications: Preventing Memory Loss
- British Medical Journal; What We Need to Know About Age Related Memory Loss; Gary W Small; June 2002
- Vaxa: Does Smoking Cause Memory Loss?
- UCSF News Office: Study Shows Cigarette Smoking a Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
- Yale News: Smoking May Improve Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenic Patients, Yale Researchers Find
