8 Steps to Wellbeing - Smoking and alcohol
It’s never too late to give up smoking. There are trained advisors who can provide advice and a range of stop smoking aids to help you to stop smoking.
How smoking affects the brain
Smoking has several harmful effects that increase dementia risk:
- Reduces blood flow to the brain: Nicotine and chemicals damage blood vessels, leading to poor oxygen and nutrient delivery.
- Raises risk of vascular disease: Stroke, hypertension, and heart disease are linked to cognitive decline.
- Directly linked to Alzheimer’s disease: Smokers have a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Smoking cessation and brain health
- Immediate benefits: Improved blood flow and oxygen delivery.
- Long-term benefits: Slower cognitive decline and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Other benefits: Lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer, all of which indirectly protect brain health.
Drink less alcohol
- Heavy drinking can directly damage neurons and brain structures.
- Raises risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and liver disease, which indirectly increase dementia risk.
- Can lead to vitamin deficiencies, particularly B vitamins, important for brain health. This, in turn can also lead to Alcohol Related Brain Injury (ARBI). Evidence suggests that as many as a third of people with an alcohol dependency may have ARBI. ARBI is often reversible with treatment and abstinence from alcohol.
Recommendations for brain health
- There are no safe levels for drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol can harm your brain.
- Men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week (6 pints of beer or glasses of wine). Spread your drinking over three days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week. The more you drink above these amounts, the more chance you have of harming your brain
- Focus on other lifestyle strategies (exercise, diet, smoking) to reduce risk of dementia.