Last reviewed
Long-term effects of smoking on your body and mind
How years of smoking affect the lungs, heart and brain, how it’s linked to anxiety and depression, and what improves when you quit.
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
✓ Medically reviewed by Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Photos are illustrative and don’t show actual patients.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Its effects build slowly, which makes them easy to put off thinking about.
Physical effects
Smoking damages nearly every organ. It causes lung cancer, COPD and emphysema, and it raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and many other cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, bladder and pancreas. It also affects skin, teeth, gums, sexual function and healing.
Mental health effects
Nicotine dependence can create a cycle of tension and relief that feels like stress control but adds to anxiety over time. Research shows that people who quit often feel less anxious and depressed afterward, not more.
Brain and memory
Long-term smoking is linked to faster decline in memory and thinking as people age, partly through its effects on blood vessels.
What improves when you quit
Within weeks, circulation and breathing begin to improve. Over the following years, the risk of heart disease, stroke and many cancers drops steadily. It’s never too late to benefit.
A gentle next step
Wellthy Psychiatry offers judgment-free, LGBTQ+ affirming care by telehealth across California. A free 15-minute phone consult is an easy way to see if we’re a good fit.
This article is for general education and isn’t medical advice. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
About the author
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner · UCSF-trained · Founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
Earl provides LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming psychiatric care, blending medication management, therapy and whole-person approaches. His background includes inpatient psychiatry and community mental health at Glenn County Behavioral Health and Equity Health, a federally qualified health center. He sees clients in San Francisco and by telehealth across California.
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