[ParanoidPizza]

I've been reading a lot on the subject, but still see a lot of disagreement.

Does smoking cause bipolar to worsen?

On one side I read it does and then others say no. I feel more balanced and in control when not smoking and my moods seem more leveled too.

[Crazy Hitch]

Thank you ParanoidPizza

My personal opinion is, smoking is pretty bad for one's health irrespective of diagnosis and is something that should best be avoided.

As to whether or not nicotine and all the bad chemicals inside cigarettes would worsen the chemical imbalance that already exists during mood episodes in Bipolar, I am unsure.

However, I have read that during periods of Depression and Mania; smoking may become more frequent as an escape method in terms of attempting to alleviate the symptoms that are distressing for smokers during this period.

I do not personally believe that smoking during an elevate or lower mood state would worsen the chemical imbalance; but may provide the user with a temporary means of escape; although this is generally a bad method to use overall when one regards the physical health of ones body.

I hope my personal opinon on this issue is possibly of a little bit of assistance.

If there have been concrete case studies done that disprove my theory, I will be very happy to read these.

Thank you.

[gayleggg]

I couldn't tell any difference in my mood after I quit smoking other than a little depression when I first quit. I've managed without them for 22 years. I think the benefits outweigh the negative.

[Resident Bipolar]

There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that nicotine consumption, in the form of a cigarette, NRT or indeed vapour causes worsening of psychiatric conditions or exacerbation of underlying symptoms.

Of course, we know that tobacco when combusted is extremely harmful to one's physical health but nicotine itself (when consumed below toxic levels via other delivery methods) isn't thought to negatively impact physical or psychiatric health, at least no more than caffeine. We do know that nicotine is highly addictive, although caffeine is also addictive. Nicotine is also present as a naturally-occuring chemical in a manner of unprocessed foods, including certain fruits; even if you're not a smoker, vaper or a snuff user, you will most likely have consumed nicotine in small amounts at some point in your life or even on a regular basis.

I'm digressing. As I've said, there is no evidence to suggest an impact on the mental health of an individual, except for the addiction issue and stress associated with nicotine withdrawal, among other minor withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking does somewhat have a high prevalence of usage among those with a psychiatric disorder or mental illness. However, this is more to do with the consumption of nicotine or smoking as a form of self-medication rather than smoking causing worsening of symptoms. I used to smoke 30-40 per day, although I smoked more during depressive episodes. Even though it's not true that cigarettes actually relieve stress (studies have shown that the feeling of relieved stress is actually caused by relieving the desire for another cigarette; cigarette smokers are typically more stressed than non-smokers) the feeling that it does is often enough.

Another element for increased consumption of tobacco during depressed periods is that it constitutes some form of self harm - smoking is extremely harmful, especially to the lungs but it also increases the risk of many cancers including throat cancer, oral cancer and gum disease. I often used smoking cigarettes as a substitute to self injury and it worked because I knew that I was, in a way, causing harm to myself.

When depressed, people often binge eat (comfort food). Which is similar in terms of being a "coping strategy" to smoking more tobacco or drinking more alcohol. I've been depressed whilst smoking, stable whilst smoking and manic whilst smoking and consuming nicotine (nnow in the form of vapour) I have generally found it either to be relaxing to me or as having no effect at all other than to relieve the urge for another smoke.

So to summarise, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest a link between mental state other than stress and withdrawal and smoking.

In terms of me consuming it in the form of vapour not involving combustion, I find it extremely enjoyable and relaxing to go for a Vape and it's become a hobby of mine - often giving me a reason to get out of bed to build a new coil or make some more eliquid. Even though the jury is still out and despite sensationalist media coverage, vaping isn't thought to be any more harmful than consuming caffeine and it is almost entirely definite that it is much less harmful than smoking. So i am comfortable enjoying nicotine in this method, without the inconveniences of combustion.

[ParanoidPizza]

I forgot to say thanks for all the responses on this thread.

Thanks everyone.

I smoke frequently and when not smoking my body starts to experience withdraw symptoms; depression, anxiety, stress, etc. (Guessing)

Smoking would not worsen the chemical imbalance of Bipolar, though may amplify the negative emotional withdraw symptoms when not smoking?

Thanks again everyone!

[RisuNeko]

For some reason I smoke only on my work days (it's the only way I get breaks) and only have 0 or 1 cigarette on my days off and I'm emotionally fine on the weekends.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar

There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that nicotine consumption, in the form of a cigarette, NRT or indeed vapour causes worsening of psychiatric conditions or exacerbation of underlying symptoms.

Of course, we know that tobacco when combusted is extremely harmful to one's physical health but nicotine itself (when consumed below toxic levels via other delivery methods) isn't thought to negatively impact physical or psychiatric health, at least no more than caffeine. We do know that nicotine is highly addictive, although caffeine is also addictive. Nicotine is also present as a naturally-occuring chemical in a manner of unprocessed foods, including certain fruits; even if you're not a smoker, vaper or a snuff user, you will most likely have consumed nicotine in small amounts at some point in your life or even on a regular basis.

I'm digressing. As I've said, there is no evidence to suggest an impact on the mental health of an individual, except for the addiction issue and stress associated with nicotine withdrawal, among other minor withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking does somewhat have a high prevalence of usage among those with a psychiatric disorder or mental illness. However, this is more to do with the consumption of nicotine or smoking as a form of self-medication rather than smoking causing worsening of symptoms. I used to smoke 30-40 per day, although I smoked more during depressive episodes. Even though it's not true that cigarettes actually relieve stress (studies have shown that the feeling of relieved stress is actually caused by relieving the desire for another cigarette; cigarette smokers are typically more stressed than non-smokers) the feeling that it does is often enough.

Another element for increased consumption of tobacco during depressed periods is that it constitutes some form of self harm - smoking is extremely harmful, especially to the lungs but it also increases the risk of many cancers including throat cancer, oral cancer and gum disease. I often used smoking cigarettes as a substitute to self injury and it worked because I knew that I was, in a way, causing harm to myself.

When depressed, people often binge eat (comfort food). Which is similar in terms of being a "coping strategy" to smoking more tobacco or drinking more alcohol. I've been depressed whilst smoking, stable whilst smoking and manic whilst smoking and consuming nicotine (nnow in the form of vapour) I have generally found it either to be relaxing to me or as having no effect at all other than to relieve the urge for another smoke.

So to summarise, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest a link between mental state other than stress and withdrawal and smoking.

In terms of me consuming it in the form of vapour not involving combustion, I find it extremely enjoyable and relaxing to go for a Vape and it's become a hobby of mine - often giving me a reason to get out of bed to build a new coil or make some more eliquid. Even though the jury is still out and despite sensationalist media coverage, vaping isn't thought to be any more harmful than consuming caffeine and it is almost entirely definite that it is much less harmful than smoking. So i am comfortable enjoying nicotine in this method, without the inconveniences of combustion.

Me too! I also used cigarettes as a form of self harm/punishment (and others punishment) and I now vape instead also. I don't build coils or diy my juice though (yet).

[Row Jimmy]

Personally, I think any chemical can alter moods. My chemical was alcohol until I realized it just made things worse on the high side and the down side.

True, I have noticed some disagreement here as well, especially when it comes to weed. But different things work for different people.

[raspberrytorte]

I smoke. Hasn't affected mood. Do it more when I'm stressed or unstable. I have an e-cig, but don't like it. I really should use it to quit again though. Sigh. Everyone has their bad habit.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

I smoke. Hasn't affected mood. Do it more when I'm stressed or unstable. I have an e-cig, but don't like it. I really should use it to quit again though. Sigh. Everyone has their bad habit.

What kind do you have, raspberry? You may need one with more power or vapor or better flavor to want to stick with it.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I have never smoked, never even tried a single puff. It just never was appealing to me for complicated reasons. But I had a very manic episode a number of years ago and I CRAVED cigarettes. It was an actual effort to not smoke, despite having no actual idea what it does. It made me wonder if there is some chemical reason that so many people with mental illness smoke that hasn't been discovered. It was a completely bizarre experience that has never repeated itself.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by JustMeJen5294

I have never smoked, never even tried a single puff. It just never was appealing to me for complicated reasons. But I had a very manic episode a number of years ago and I CRAVED cigarettes. It was an actual effort to not smoke, despite having no actual idea what it does. It made me wonder if there is some chemical reason that so many people with mental illness smoke that hasn't been discovered. It was a completely bizarre experience that has never repeated itself.

There are a ton of chemicals in cigarettes, thousands of them. It's odd though that you craved cigarettes as a non smoker though.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

That's what everyone thought (me, the psychiatrist and my therapist).

When I say chemical reason I mean more is there a chemical deficiency that something in cigarettes somehow fills? I don't think there is probably a very ethical way to ever test that. But wow did I want to smoke for about a month.

Of course I have weird responses to things. I've had vicodin as a pain killer at higher doses after 2 surgeries and found it to be a really good mood stabilizer for me. Of course I can't take it that way but it's too bad it's addictive.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by JustMeJen5294

That's what everyone thought (me, the psychiatrist and my therapist).

When I say chemical reason I mean more is there a chemical deficiency that something in cigarettes somehow fills? I don't think there is probably a very ethical way to ever test that. But wow did I want to smoke for about a month.

Of course I have weird responses to things. I've had vicodin as a pain killer at higher doses after 2 surgeries and found it to be a really good mood stabilizer for me. Of course I can't take it that way but it's too bad it's addictive.

There are MAOIs I think, in cigarettes/tobacco products. Something that interacts with depression, I think.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Well, I'm on an MAOI and it works extremely well for me so maybe that is the connection. I wasn't on it yet when the smoking craving happened.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by JustMeJen5294

Well, I'm on an MAOI and it works extremely well for me so maybe that is the connection. I wasn't on it yet when the smoking craving happened.

That's an interesting coincidence. I recently stopped smoking and it's going much harder now than it seemed to at first. I want a cigarette so bad but when I try to smoke one it tastes disgusting and I can't. Total catch 22. I'm just trying to keep vaping through the cravings.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Knowing I would have to quit if I started (something I had to be reminded of a lot during that time) really helped me not start.It's probably a good thing vaping wasn't around then. But I'd watched my sister quit and have a really hard time and I wasn't interested in doing that myself. So I stayed away and a few weeks on Seroquel helped the urge completely disappear and never re-appear. I stopped caffeine cold turkey at the same time and I suppose that could be somehow related too since that was hard to do but necessary since I'd been using caffeine as an upper to keep me going while fighting off the episode that eventually took over. I haven't had a caffeinated drink in almost 8 years now because I never wanted to have a chance to drink it constantly trying to stay functional while falling downhill anyway. Trying to quit and dealing with BP must be miserable. At least with caffeine it was miserable for just a few days and then that was pretty much it.

I am sure that the drugs we take mess with this too. I've been on benzos for 13 years. Last summer I had surgery and they put in nerve blocks. They said they were giving me medication (Versed) that would make me relaxed for the procedures and I wouldn't remember. They gave me 2 vials and I was so alert and untouched by it that the intern wound up showing me on the ultrasound screen exactly what was happening, what the needle looked like and what the drug being injected looked like. I remember all of this quite clearly. I've just been on benzos for so long that it takes a lot to affect me apparently. (My surgeon just wanted me out; he wasn't very comfortable with the mental illness bit and interpreted my not really wanting the nerve blocks out of concern over a side effect that I was excessively anxious and I think he hoped the Versed would knock me out until they had the general working. Instead I was put under anesthesia the second I got in the OR and I'm not sure I was in the OR; I think I was in an anteroom. Funny thing was I was excited, not anxious because I'd waited a long time for this and was happy to know that I was going to be doing the things that would stop the pain and let me walk normally again. The dr was more anxious than I was...Nice guy but afraid of emotions I think).