While smoking a cigarette may make you feel momentarily energized, smoking can actually lower the amount of oxygen that reaches your brain, thereby affecting your memory. In fact, studies have found that smokers score lower on memory tests than nonsmokers, and smokers who average more than a pack a day appear to have an especially hard time recalling names and faces. Some research suggests that smoking can slow your memory performance about as much as having a couple of drinks. Smoking a pack a day exposes you to 1,000 micrograms of toluene (among other things), which is highly toxic and can cause confusion and memory loss.
I’ve been trying to find out if these affects are permanent or if not how long your brain needs to recover from heavy smoking. You’re welcome to add insight by leaving a comment.
