Cigarettes (or more specifically, nicotine, the primary psychoactive substance in tobacco) can act as both a stimulant and a depressant, depending on the dose, context, and how the body reacts.
I’m personally not a smoker, so this post is made based on what the current research and studies have to say about the topic.
Stimulant effects (short-term)
- Nicotine initially stimulates the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine.
- This can make you feel more alert, focused, and temporarily relaxed, despite being a stimulant.
- It also decreases appetite and increases heart rate and blood pressure.
This short burst of stimulation is one of the primary reasons people find it mentally rewarding during stress or a low mood.
Depressant effects (long-term/chronic use)
- The brain adapts to nicotine and builds tolerance over time.
- Nicotine leads to reduced baseline mood and even increased risk of depression by disrupting natural dopamine regulation.
- Smokers often report worsened anxiety and irritability when not smoking (withdrawal symptoms), which are temporarily relieved when they smoke. This creates a negative reinforcement loop.
The vicious cycle of depression
- People with depression may self-medicate with cigarettes to feel a brief mood lift.
- But nicotine dependence worsens depressive symptoms over time, making it harder to quit and increasing psychological distress.
Smokers are about twice as likely to have depression compared to non-smokers.
Summarized
- Nicotine is a stimulant, but cigarettes can have depressant-like effects in the long run.
- The immediate “calming” effect is due to withdrawal relief, not actual relaxation.
- Smoking heightens the threat and severity of depression with long-term use.
Why do people with depression often smoke?
- Self-medication, since many people smoke to “take the edge off” and use nicotine for temporary relief from stress, sadness, or emotional numbness.
- Nicotine boosts dopamine temporarily, giving a brief feeling of reward or pleasure.
- But this relief is short-lived and leads to dependence.
Over 40% of people with depression are smokers, compared to about 15–20% of the general population.
How smoking can make depression worse
- Neurochemical dysregulation
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- Nicotine initially raises dopamine (the “feel good” neurotransmitter).
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- But it disrupts the brain’s natural dopamine system over time, making it harder to feel pleasure from other things (a symptom known as anhedonia).
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- The brain becomes less responsive to everyday rewards, worsening depression.
Long-term nicotine use is linked to lower dopamine baseline levels.
- Withdrawal fuels low mood
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- Between cigarettes, nicotine withdrawal kicks in quickly, causing anxiety, irritability, low mood, and trouble concentrating.
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- This creates a cycle that’s hard to break: you feel bad → smoke → feel better → withdrawal → feel bad again.
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- That means it’s not real relief because it’s liberation from the withdrawal the last cigarette caused.
Studies show that withdrawal symptoms can mimic or intensify depression.
- Sleep disruption
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- Nicotine is a stimulant and can interfere with sleep quality, increase nighttime awakenings, and delay REM sleep.
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- Poor sleep is a major risk factor and symptom of depression, which worsens the mental health spiral.
- Reduced motivation and coping skills
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- Smoking can become a coping crutch that replaces healthier ways to manage emotions.
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- People who smoke often delay seeking help or using active coping strategies like therapy, exercise, and social support.
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- It reinforces avoidance behavior.
- Bi-directional link
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- Research shows a two-way relationship: smoking increases depression risk, and depression increases smoking behavior.
Quitting smoking can improve mood
Contrary to the fear that quitting will make depression worse:
- Quitting smoking is associated with long-term improvements in mood.
- Many studies show that people who quit report less depression, anxiety, and stress over time.
Conclusion
- Smoking might feel like it helps depression, but it feeds into and worsens it over time.
- It hijacks the brain’s reward system, increases withdrawal-related lows, and prevents healthier coping.
- Quitting may feel difficult when depressed, but it’s one of the most powerful moves someone can make for long-term mental health.
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