Smoking 'Rots' Brain; Study Finds Cognitive Decline Related To Smoking
The dangers of smoking have been widely publicized and more continue to come to light.
A new research study done by King's College in London proved that smoking can "rot" your brain.
The study published in the "Journal of Age and Ageing" showed that smoking can damage the learning process, reasoning ability and memory capacity of a person's brain. The research tested 8,800 people over 50 and also showed that high blood pressure and obesity affected the brain to a lesser extent.
The study analyzed the lifestyles and personal health of the over-50 age group using brain tests. The group was tested again after four to eight years and scientists found that there were significant changes.
Dr. Alex Dregan, one of the researchers on the study, told BBC, "Cognitive decline becomes more common with ageing and for an increasing number of people interferes with daily functioning and well-being,"
He continued: "We have identified a number of risk factors which could be associated with accelerated cognitive decline, all of which, could be modifiable We need to make people aware of the need to do some lifestyle changes because of the risk of cognitive decline."
The researchers said people need to have a better understanding of their lifestyle choices, since they can have major impacts on their body and mind. It's still unknown how the cognitive decline impacts a person's daily life over time, but the new data may help determine increased cases of dementia.
Dr. Simon Ridley from Alzheimer's Research UK was quoted by the BBC saying the following:
"Research has repeatedly linked smoking and high blood pressure to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia, and this study adds further weight to that evidence. Cognitive decline as we age can develop into dementia, and unraveling the factors that are linked to this decline could be crucial for finding ways to prevent the condition."
Another study published recently showed that smoking in cars is more dangerous than previously thought.
Researchers in the United Kingdom gathered data from smokers during 85 car rides and found that when people smoked in their cars, it raised the levels of harmful pollutants above the acceptable limit set by the World Health Organization, according to Tobacco Control. .
