TMS and Smoking Cessation

Impact of Smoking on Mental Health

The notion that chronic tobacco smoking contributes to multiple negative health outcomes is broadly appreciated. Smoking has been linked to heart disease, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancers, to name a few adverse medical outcomes. Yet, the impact that smoking has on our mental health is less commonly appreciated.

A study recently published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that 43% of chronic smokers met diagnostic criteria for at least one mental health disorder. While the immediate effects of smoking may alleviate anxiety and stabilize mood, the long-term effects of smoking have been shown to increase both depression and anxiety. Here, we are presented with a classical paradox in addiction psychology. This is between the short-term effects of a substance may improve symptoms that the same substance aggravates over a longer time frame.

Smoking Cessation

Given that we all know how dangerous smoking is for our health, why is it so challenging to quit the habit? In short, that is because nicotine highjacks our pleasure/reward systems and gradually erodes our capacity to express our will (i.e., abstaining) to alter our future behavior. Our world collapses into the singular pursuit of getting that next tobacco fix. This causes us to neglect our health, our relationships and our ability to engage in hobbies and activities that nourish our wellbeing.

Medical approaches to quitting nicotine have revolved around nicotine replacement strategies, such as nicotine gum and the nicotine patch. Both Zyban (bupropion) and Chantix (varenicline) can help chronic tobacco users reduce cravings and ultimately kick the habit. However, these medicinal agents have not been shown to be very effective and often lead to multiple side effects, including anxiety, agitation and increases in depression.

TMS for Smoking Cessation

Recently, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was FDA-approved to aid in smoking cessation, based upon a randomized controlled trial comprised of 262 patients who met criteria for nicotine use disorder. At the end of that trial, the continuous quit rate was significantly higher for the active treatment group as compared to the placebo group. Moreover, for participants who weren’t able to fully quit, their daily tobacco usage measured in cigarettes per day was dramatically lower than the group that received placebo.

Nicotine is one of the most addictive compounds known to humankind. Given this, it’s no wonder that on average it takes dependent individuals 4-6 attempts at quitting before abstinence can be achieved. These new developments in the field of TMS promise further assistance for those who haven’t achieved adequate results in previous attempts to reduce or quit smoking.

TMS at Bay Psychiatric Associates

Through the use of TMS, we at Bay Psychiatric Associates, are committed to helping patients with depression, anxiety and nicotine use disorders utilize state-of-the-art treatments to help them achieve their mental and physical health goals. If quitting smoking remains a goal for you, please given us a call. We are eager to help.