Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe LinkTemporary ReliefWhat to Do InsteadFrequently Asked Questions

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Smoking rates for people with anxiety are almost double those for the general population.But does nicotine cause anxiety or relieve it? Here we explore the connection between nicotine and anxiety, also providing healthier coping options.

Despite widespread knowledge about thenegative health effects of smoking, such as lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder, approximately 11.5% of the U.S. population smokes.

The link between nicotine and anxiety continues to be explored. Although, findings are mixed. While some studies suggest that nicotine can alleviate feelings of fear and anxiousness,other research shows the opposite: that smoking may lead toanxiety disorders.

Particularly for those with GAD, smoking can worsen the anxiety.While it might help soothe the person in the moment, it can also increase their worries about money and health, contributing to severe and constant anxiety. Over time, this can exacerbatesymptoms of anxiety.

How Does Nicotine Affect the Body?Nicotine negatively affects the body in numerous ways. It:Increases the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disordersDecreases the immune responseIncreases oxidative stressIncreases cancer risk

How Does Nicotine Affect the Body?

Nicotine negatively affects the body in numerous ways. It:Increases the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disordersDecreases the immune responseIncreases oxidative stressIncreases cancer risk

Nicotine negatively affects the body in numerous ways. It:

Anxiety Relief from Nicotine Is Temporary

Many people turn to cigarettes when they are anxious since the physiological effects of nicotine can create a calming sensation. But nicotine only produces temporaryanxiety reliefand does not address the underlying cause of the feelings of anxiousness.

The anxiety eventually returns and, without doing something about them, they can start to worsen over time. This can create a cycle where people smoke to alleviate anxiety and then feel the need to smoke more to deal with anxiety when it returns.

RecapNicotine can create temporary feelings of relaxation, but the many problems associated with smoking—including the high financial and health costs—can play a role in worsening anxiety over the long term.

Recap

Nicotine can create temporary feelings of relaxation, but the many problems associated with smoking—including the high financial and health costs—can play a role in worsening anxiety over the long term.

Healthier Ways to Relieve Anxiety

People who use nicotine to self-medicate their anxiety should know that there are many treatment options available for GAD that are healthier and have long-lasting effects.First, seek out the advice of a medical professional. For those who don’t know where to start, their primary care physician can refer them to atherapist specializing in anxiety disorders.

In therapy, individuals go over their anxiety symptoms and triggers, and then work to identify solutions to these issues. Fromcognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) todialectical behavior therapy(DBT), many methods are available to help.

In some cases, a physician may recommend ananti-anxiety medicationto help manage the daily worry and stress. Medication is only a short-term solution for some people, but others may be on medication for months or even years. The length of time that medication is used is based on the person’s condition and unique situation.

A person may need to start working on their anxiety before they attempt toquit smoking. Therapy can help them identify healthier coping skills they can use to gain relief. Then, they can work on quitting.

It’s important for people to discuss smoking with their doctor. Suppose that the doctor suggests helping them quit while they still have high anxiety. In that case, the person might want to request a referral to a therapist who can assist them in managing the spike in anxiety they might experience when they stop smoking.

Summary

Nicotine and other substances, such as alcohol, may seem like an easy way to self-medicate for anxiety. But each can have negative health consequences. Getting help for anxiety is a healthier and more effective way to get lasting relief.

Frequently Asked QuestionsIt may. While many people think that smoking can ease anxiety, studies suggest that the opposite may also be true. Research shows that nicotine may cause symptoms of anxiety or, at the very least, make them worse.The brain. Nicotine targets various neurotransmitters and neural pathways in the brain that play a role in mood and anxiety.Learn More:Brain Anatomy, Function, and ConditionsThe body breaks down nicotine into many chemicals, including cotinine, which stays in the system longer than nicotine itself. Nicotine has a half-life of about two hours.The half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a dose to be eliminated from the body.Nicotine withdrawal can lead to a range of symptoms and feelings, including anxiety. It is normal for people to start experiencing feelings of agitation, tension, and anxiety within 24 hours of quitting smoking.Learn More:7 Common Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

It may. While many people think that smoking can ease anxiety, studies suggest that the opposite may also be true. Research shows that nicotine may cause symptoms of anxiety or, at the very least, make them worse.

The brain. Nicotine targets various neurotransmitters and neural pathways in the brain that play a role in mood and anxiety.Learn More:Brain Anatomy, Function, and Conditions

The brain. Nicotine targets various neurotransmitters and neural pathways in the brain that play a role in mood and anxiety.

Learn More:Brain Anatomy, Function, and Conditions

The body breaks down nicotine into many chemicals, including cotinine, which stays in the system longer than nicotine itself. Nicotine has a half-life of about two hours.The half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a dose to be eliminated from the body.

Nicotine withdrawal can lead to a range of symptoms and feelings, including anxiety. It is normal for people to start experiencing feelings of agitation, tension, and anxiety within 24 hours of quitting smoking.Learn More:7 Common Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

Nicotine withdrawal can lead to a range of symptoms and feelings, including anxiety. It is normal for people to start experiencing feelings of agitation, tension, and anxiety within 24 hours of quitting smoking.

Learn More:7 Common Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Smoking & tobacco use: Adult data.

Kutlu MG, Gould TJ.Nicotine modulation of fear memories and anxiety: Implications for learning and anxiety disorders.Biochem Pharmacol. 2015;97(4):498-511. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2015.07.029

Fluharty M, Taylor AE, Grabski M, Munafò MR.The association of cigarette smoking with depression and anxiety: a systematic review.Nicotine Tobacco Res. 2017;19(1):3-13. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntw140

Kutlu MG, Parikh V, Gould TJ.Nicotine addiction and psychiatric disorders.Int Rev Neurobiol. 2015;124:171-208. doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2015.08.004

Mishra A, Chaturvedi P, Datta S, Sinukumar S, Joshi P, Garg A.Harmful effects of nicotine.Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 2015;36(1):24-31. doi:10.4103/0971-5851.151771

Smokefree.gov.Anxiety & smoking.

National Institute of Mental Health.Generalized anxiety disorder: When worry gets out of control.

Hartmann-Boyce J, Chepkin SC, Ye W, Bullen C, Lancaster T.Nicotine replacement therapy versus control for smoking cessation.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5(5):CD000146. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000146.pub5

Molas S, DeGroot SR, Zhao-Shea R, Tapper AR.Anxiety and nicotine dependence: Emerging role of the habenulo-interpenduncular axis.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2017;38(2):169-180. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2016.11.001

Kim S.Overview of cotinine cutoff values for smoking status classification.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2016;13(12):1236. doi:10.3390/ijerph13121236

National Cancer Institute.Handling nicotine withdrawal and triggers when you decide to quit tobacco.

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