A new study conducted by researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark and published in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica has found a direct link between smoking and an increased risk of mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder.
The researchers used data from the UK Biobank, which contains genetic information on over 350,000 individuals. They found that smoking increases the risk of being hospitalized for a mental illness by 250%. Importantly, the study also revealed that smoking typically precedes the onset of mental illness, often by a significant time gap.
The study sheds light on the role of smoking in mental illness and raises questions about the legal age for cigarette purchase. People generally start smoking around the age of 17 but are not hospitalized for mental disorders until after the age of 30, indicating that smoking is likely a factor in the development of mental illness.
Genetic data from the study has also suggested that certain “smoking-related genes” may increase the risk of both smoking and mental disorders. However, the precise biological mechanism behind this association remains unclear.
Researchers have previously debated whether smoking causes mental illness or if individuals with mental disorders smoke as a means of self-medication. This new study provides evidence to support the theory that smoking leads to mental illness.
The study also found that as many as 90% of those who smoke or have smoked started before the age of 20. This suggests that raising the legal age limit for cigarette purchase may be an effective way to prevent people from starting smoking.
The research has significant implications for public health efforts to prevent smoking and improve mental health outcomes. It underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies in reducing the risk of mental illness associated with smoking.
The findings of this study are based on data from the UK Biobank and may not be representative of the population as a whole. However, the researchers believe that the similarities between the UK and Denmark make the results applicable to a broader population.
Future studies will examine data from Denmark and Finland to further investigate the link between smoking and mental illness. However, obtaining this data is expensive, and the pilot study conducted using the UK data was a crucial first step in the research process.
Overall, this study provides valuable insight into the relationship between smoking and mental illness and offers new avenues for prevention and treatment strategies. As smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide, it is crucial to continue exploring ways to reduce its impact on public health.