The poorer mental function seen among alcoholics, many of whom also regularly smoke cigarettes, may be partially due to the long-term effects of nicotine, new research suggests."People who are also smokers are at a much higher risk,” Dr. Jennifer M. Glass, of the University of Michigan’s Addiction Research Center, told Reuters Health.In her study, “cigarette smoking was negatively related to IQ and thinking,” she said.This finding may seem counterintuitive, since many smokers attest to feeling more alert and focused after smoking. Indeed, research shows that improved mental functioning is one of the immediate effects of nicotine exposure. Chronic smoking, however, is known to have the opposite effect.
