Quitting smoking can boost mental wellness, experts say

In 2024 roughly 1-in-4 Ohio adults used a form of tobacco. Cigarettes remain the most common tobacco product used. Smoking was higher among Ohio adults with frequent poor mental health (24.2%), compared to those with better mental health (11.9%). Those with poor mental health also are more likely to smoke more often, leading to a stronger dependence on nicotine. While approximately 25% of Americans have a mental illness, they consume about 40% of all cigarettes sold in the United States. Often, this is because tobacco is used as a way to lessen mental health symptoms and relieve stress.

It is a common misconception that tobacco is a stress reliever. In reality nicotine physically hijacks the brain’s stress response, creating a chemical trap that mimics anxiety relief while actually fueling it. When a person smokes, nicotine triggers a fleeting release of dopamine, but it also activates the body’s stress hormones including cortisol. As the chemical wears off, the brain experiences acute withdrawal, irritability, tension and increased anxiety, which drives the urge for the next cigarette. Research shows that instead of calming the nerves, smoking keeps the body in a state of heightened physiological stress. This complicates recovery for those already managing mental health conditions.

Breaking this addiction is one of the most effective ways to improve long-term mental wellness. Studies published in the British Medical Journal have found that quitting smoking can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms as effectively as taking antidepressants. The shift in mental clarity is significant.

Research indicates anxiety levels can drop significantly within just weeks of quitting, breaking the cycle of dependency. In Ohio the reality of this success is seen every day. Approximately 25% of the state's adult population is now former smokers. While nearly 70% of current smokers say they want to quit, many try to do it alone, which yields a success rate of less than 10%.

"We need to be clear about the biological reality: Nicotine doesn't help you cope; it mimics a coping mechanism while exacerbating your body's stress levels," said Nicole Williams, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Wayne and Holmes Counties. "For those in recovery or struggling with mental health, nicotine addiction creates an extra layer of chemical chaos that makes finding balance harder. That is why our message is two-fold:

"If you haven’t started, please don’t. Protecting your brain from that first exposure is the greatest gift you can give to your future mental health. But if you are struggling, know that there is immense hope. We see people break free every year, and their mental resilience skyrockets when they do."

No one has to fight this battle alone. Evidence shows callers to the Ohio Tobacco Quitline are five times more likely to succeed than those who try to quit cold turkey. By calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, Ohioans can access free, confidential coaching and, in many cases, nicotine replacement therapy to bridge the physical gap during recovery. With the Ohio Tobacco Quitline’s Behavioral Health Program track, participants will receive assistance that supports both quitting and mental health.