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Originally Posted by Chris T
Thing is, the brain is known to reduced production of its own antidepressants when it starts to get a regular supply of nicotine. It's therefore not surprising that people can suffer depression in numbers after quitting - the nicotine is gone, and the brain has given up on its own production so there's nothing to plug the gap.  |
Actually, I think you'll find that nicotine actually stimulates production of the pleasure hormones dopamine and serotonin, hence the anti-depressant effect. Remember the increased rate of depression in quitters was pronounced in individuals who already had a history of depression. Therefore James' assertion that we need to look at the causes of depression in the first place before causing further social isolation by banning smoking in public places, for me is a very pertinant point. I certainly don't think that he is suggesting that smoking should be prescribed as a form of medication but rather looking at the evidence of what is actually happening and suggesting one effect of the the Government's policy.
BTW you failed to comment on the Government's hypocrisy
