On smoking, dopamine overload, and the deterioration of mental health

Dr. Curtis Cripe has come up with a series of blogs on the many facets of his work, from neuroengineering to neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders and everything else in between. Most of his blogs are written for the benefit of readers everywhere. This particular article explores the connection between smoking and the deterioration of mental health.

The bad effects on smoking on one’s physical state has been established decades ago. In fact, this incredibly dangerous and destructive passive habit has been proven to be the direct and indirect cause of millions of deaths.

However, recent studies have shown a link between smoking and the deterioration of mental health. The huge amount of dopamine in tobacco has been found to cause mental health problems. Researchers have found that the nicotine in tobacco combines and causes a spike in dopamine levels in the brain and changes brain chemistry. After all, dopamine is what controls the reward and pleasure centers of the brain.

Dr. Curtis Cripe played an important role in the development of the programs being used by the NTL Group, which specializes in the treatment of learning disabilities. More information on Dr. Cripe and his work here.