subject: Does Smoking Making You Dumber? [print this page] Author: Rob Hawkins Author: Rob Hawkins
*** Do Not Quit Smoking! Click Here *** Even though we are both in our 40's now, my oldest brother and I still get a kick out of teasing each other like we did when we were kids. This childish behavior was no exception during his recent visit. Besides the occasional "noogie" or "biff" upside the head, you might have heard my brother chant "my little sister's ugly, my little sister's ugly". And of course my witty retort was "my brother's a dumbie, my brother's a dumbie." Now before you roll your eyes and write us off as a couple of mean spirited maniacs, indulge me for a moment and let me just say that my brother and I love each other dearly. We have so much fun hanging out together with our kids and just being, well, down right silly sometimes. Nonetheless, when I came across some research material recently that relates to the effects of smoking on the brain, I couldn't help but feel a little distressed when I thought about my brother. My brother smokes. He has smoked for years. He says it is stress buster for him. He has tried to quit several times, using several different methods but he always seems to go back to it. I, on the other hand smoked for years too, but I managed to give it up when I found out I was expecting my first child, which was over 12 years ago. I admit I almost always enjoyed the distasteful habit, especially after a big, delicious meal. But I must say I don't miss the typical downfalls of smoking such as bad breath, stinky clothes, yellow teeth, and the most insidious side effect of all, increased risk of cancer. Plus, based on the new research, apparently I'm not losing as many brain cells either. Although rather complicated in terms of the study itself, the findings are quite simple, and yet surprising I think to most of us. With over 172 men participating, the test was initially set out to find the long term effect of alcoholism on the brain. While it was made clear that alcoholism does have a long term effect on neurocognitive function, the study also showed that smoking may diminish the speed and accuracy of your thinking, cause memory impairment and it can actually lower your IQ. Now I don't know about you, but if the other side effects weren't enough to call it quits, I think the findings from this relatively new research may just do the trick, at least for my brother. I am quite sure he won't like it the next time I say "my brother's dumbie" and actually have to mean it.About the Author:
The Author recommends that you DO NOT Quite Smoking. There's a healthier alternative to it. To know more, please click here.
