Quitting smoking helps relieve Anxiety and depression

Many people want to quit smoking but are concerned about their mental health following cessation. Clinicians also raise this question.

Considering further and elaborating these findings, researchers in their study of 4260 adults investigated this association and assessed mental health status following smoking cessation using three confirmatory coprimary analytical approaches. They measured Anxiety and depression scores using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at 24 weeks (a lower score indicates better mental health). The Exposure was smoking abstinence between weeks 9 through 24.

They used data from the EAGLES trial conducted in 16 countries.

The key findings of this study are:

• There were 4260 participants with a mean age of 46 years.
• 55.4% had a history of mental illness.
• The mean baseline Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score for Anxiety and depression was 4.25 and 2.44.
• Smoking cessation decreased scores for both Anxiety and depression than those who continued to smoke.

They said smoking cessation, sustained for at least 15 weeks, improves mental health outcomes.

The EAGLES trial was the largest trial of smoking cessation medication we know, they wrote.

They added an important message, “Our study results may motivate policymakers and stakeholders to support smoking cessation in people with mental health disorders.”

Further reading:

Wu AD, Gao M, Aveyard P, Taylor G. Smoking Cessation and Changes in Anxiety and Depression in Adults With and Without Psychiatric Disorders. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(5):e2316111. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.16111