Mexico is the most stressed country in the world adding up to a 75% of surveyed people who admitted to have suffer from it. On the other hand, anxiety is highlighted as a common disorder, with 14,000 people who have experienced. So, which is the most short term and economical solution? A simple outlet which avoid the "hassle" of having to visit a specialist? In a culture where
self medication is not at all rare, cigarettes seem to be a valve for an ideal escape.
But far beyond being a stress reliever, cigarettes don't get rid of it and don't suppress anxiety neither. They actually induce it. Those who have tried to quit, will agree that these symptoms are linked to abstinence.
The British Heart Foundation alongside London University, made a study that had as purpose analyzing the tendencies of 6,500 smokers, over 40 years of age only to confirm that 70% of the respondents are more prone to feel depression or anxiety in comparison to those who don't share the habit of smoking.
A 36% of the respondents admitted to smoke because they believe the habit was good for fighting said ailments, without knowing that is actually them who are causing it: "Instead of helping, smoking increases anxiety and tension, When a smoker lights up a cigarette, the sensation of stress relief becomes temporary and is quickly substituted by a munchies and abstinence syndrome" explain doctor Mike Knapton.
"If you think smoking helps you deal with stress, it's actually making it worse. This article proves that myth".
With information from Sin Embargo and La Jornada
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