Does using tobacco help people with problems like anxiety, depression, ADHD/ADD, or post-traumatic stress disorder feel better?
It can seem like nicotine is helping, but people who use tobacco to feel better are self-medicating and it’s not a good solution. Nicotine temporarily changes the chemistry in the brain and can lessen some of these symptoms, but it doesn’t last long and it’s no cure.1,2 There are ways to help you if you are feeling overly stressed, anxious, depressed, or have ADD or ADHD. Talk to your doctor about ways to relieve stress or depression and medications that can help. 1. Carter, B. L., Lam, C. Y., Robinson, J. D., Paris, M. M., Waters, A. J., Wetter, D. W., Cinciripini, P. M. (July 2008). Real-time craving and mood assessments before and after smoking. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 10(7):1165–1169. 2. Goodwin, R. D., Zvolensky, M. J., Keyes, K. M. (March 26, 2008) Nicotine dependence and mental disorders among adults in the USA: Evaluating the role of the mode of administration. Psychological Medicine, 1–10.
