A recent study published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica reveals a concerning link between smoking and the increased risk of developing mental disorders. Conducted by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, the study delves into the association between genetic predispositions and smoking habits (never, former, and present smoker) on hospitalizations for major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The research encompassed a large cohort of 337,140 individuals of White British ancestry from the U.K. Biobank.
The study’s findings demonstrate that genetic factors play a significant role in the risk of developing mental disorders, with estimated single nucleotide polymorphism heritabilities of 23 percent for pack-years (a measure of smoking intensity), 5.7 percent for ever smoking, and 5.7 percent for neuroticism. Moreover, polygenic risk scores for both pack-years and neuroticism were correlated with a heightened risk of hospitalization for mental disorders across all smoking status groups.
Of particular concern is the revelation that individuals who smoke, whether former or current smokers, face a substantially increased risk of mental health hospitalization compared to those who have never smoked. After adjusting for confounding factors, the study found that previous smokers had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.50 for mental health hospitalization, while current smokers had an even higher HR of 2.58.
These findings underscore the importance of recognizing the significant impact of smoking on mental health. Smoking cessation efforts may not only contribute to physical health but also play a crucial role in reducing the risk of developing mental disorders, thereby improving overall well-being.
