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Study shows cigarettes may thin the brain

By Staff Writer

Smoking is known to increase the chances of lung cancer, but new research also shows that it may thin the brain, according to MSNBC. Substance abuse treatment centers can help smokers kick the habit, and experts say that these new statistics may pressure more individuals into seeking treatment.

A study recently published in the journal of Biological Psychiatry looked at the magnetic resonance images of 22 smokers and 21 nonsmokers. The scans showed that the left medial orbitofrontal cortex was thinner in individuals who smoked cigarettes.

Study researcher Simone Kuhn told the news source that this may explain why smokers are more prone to developing a nicotine addiction. The area of the brain that is affected by cigarettes is where decision-making, reward processing and impulse control takes place. Experts believe that helping smokers quit at a younger age may make it easier for them to kick the habit later in life once their orbitofrontal cortex has deteriorated.

Tobacco companies spend $50 per person each year on advertising. Substance abuse treatment centers can help individuals detoxify and live healthier lives without cigarettes.