Women who have been long-term cigarette smokers suffer from impaired memory and thinking, but this effect is not seen in male smokers.
Women who have been long-term cigarette smokers suffer from impaired memory and thinking, but this effect is not seen in male smokers.
In the past, independent animal experiments have suggested that nicotine lowers the levels of oestrogen in the blood and may therefore obstruct the hormone's positive effects on brain cells. In addition, moderate levels of alcohol abuse can also lead to mild but significant cognitive deficits.
Researchers examined 118 men and 169 women in America between the age of 31 and 69 years, to assess the effects of tobacco and alcohol abuse on cognitive abilities in middle age through memory and mental function tasks. The data regarding the alcohol intake and smoking habits of the all the participants was collected and correlated with their memory and mental function.
It was found that smoking had an enduring effect on the mental functions of women who were heavy smokers over a long period of time. However, alcohol and tobacco use disorders were not associated with mental function and thinking in men. It is because the hormone (oestrogen) makes women more sensitive to the effects of nicotine.
The researchers concluded that smoking and alcohol abuse affects memory and thinking more among women smokers than the men smokers.
In the past, independent animal experiments have suggested that nicotine lowers the levels of oestrogen in the blood and may therefore obstruct the hormone's positive effects on brain cells. In addition, moderate levels of alcohol abuse can also lead to mild but significant cognitive deficits.
Researchers examined 118 men and 169 women in America between the age of 31 and 69 years, to assess the effects of tobacco and alcohol abuse on cognitive abilities in middle age through memory and mental function tasks. The data regarding the alcohol intake and smoking habits of the all the participants was collected and correlated with their memory and mental function.
It was found that smoking had an enduring effect on the mental functions of women who were heavy smokers over a long period of time. However, alcohol and tobacco use disorders were not associated with mental function and thinking in men. It is because the hormone (oestrogen) makes women more sensitive to the effects of nicotine.
The researchers concluded that smoking and alcohol abuse affects memory and thinking more among women smokers than the men smokers.
COMMENT
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
