Smoking tobacco can result in numerous illnesses, diseases and even death. New findings now show it may be a trigger for the onset of schizophrenia.
Published in the Lancet Psychiatry, observational studies that documented smoking among those with psychotic disorders were compared with control groups. Out of 3,717 studies, 61 matched the criteria which researchers were looking for.
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Researchers found 57 percent of people who experienced an episode of psychosis were smokers. Daily smokers in particular developed a psychotic illness one year sooner than nonsmokers.
Researchers said their study shows that smoking should be accounted for as a potential cause for mental illness, in particular schizophrenia. But additional research is warranted to better understand the role smoking plays in the onset of psychosis.
Sources:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(15)00152-2/abstract
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
