3 ways nicotine addiction impacts mental health

While there is a misconception that nicotine can help people manage stress, anxiety, or depression, there are worrying connections between nicotine addiction and mental health. 

Although nicotine use has not been found to directly cause mental health conditions, nicotine use can quickly turn into addiction, which can amplify feelings of stress and anxiety and make users feel trapped in a brutal cycle.

Here are three ways that nicotine addiction can impact mental health. 

Nicotine use can harm the developing brain

Nicotine addiction has real consequences for young people, including teens and young adults. Nicotine use can harm the developing brain, which may not reach full development until the late twenties or early thirties.

In addition, nicotine addiction can make young people more susceptible to addiction later in life, exposing them to potentially dangerous behaviors. 

Nicotine withdrawal can lead to stress and irritability

Nicotine use releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical that creates the sensation of pleasure and relaxation. When the body stops receiving nicotine, dopamine levels drop and feelings of pleasure are replaced with an urge to use nicotine, often accompanied by feelings of irritability, anxiety, and depression. Using nicotine relieves these symptoms, leading some people to believe that nicotine use soothes stress.  

This creates a cycle of addiction and withdrawal where a person needs to use nicotine to stay ahead of the negative symptoms of withdrawal.

Nicotine addiction can negatively impact sleep

Research shows that vaping nicotine is associated with sleep problems, including insufficient sleep, interrupted sleep, restlessness during sleep, nightmares, and daytime sleepiness. 

Sleep is essential for young people’s brain development, and impacts mental health for both teens and adults, with research finding an association between poor sleep quality and negative mental health. 

In addition, nicotine is known to increase heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels, all of which has the potential to delay or interfere with sleep.

Quitting nicotine is a great first step to improved mental health

According to a Truth Initiative survey of young people who quit vaping nicotine, 90% of those who quit vaping said they felt less stressed, anxious, or depressed.

People who want to quit nicotine for mental health reasons are not alone. About two-thirds (67%) of young adult nicotine users ages 18–24 plan to quit for the new year, and most reported that their top reason for quitting was to improve their mental and physical health. 

For people interested in quitting, there are resources to help. EX Program, a free digital quitting program by Truth Initiative with Mayo Clinic, can increase the odds of quitting by up to 40%. 

EX Program offers: 

• Personalized quit plans
• Interactive support
• Advice and tips from Mayo Clinic
• 24/7 access to a supportive online community
• Tailored text message reminders and daily encouragement

People quitting any type of tobacco or nicotine product can sign up for EX Program and browse blog posts from Mayo Clinic cessation specialists and read tips and experiences from fellow quitters and former tobacco users about coping with stress while quitting