7 Habits that are dangerous for the Brain

Smoking

There has been a lot of research done on the harmful effects of smoking, so we understand the link fairly well. It is clear that smoking damages cell membranes and neuronal viability in areas of the brain that manage balance, coordination, and fine and gross motor skills. It also thins the cortex, where processes such as language, memory, and perception take place.

Quitting smoking now is important for your overall health, and it can also help your brain. However, some damage is already being done. Researchers have found that quitting smoking can restore some of the lost thickness of the cortex, but even hard-core ex-smokers who haven’t smoked in more than 25 years have a thinner cortex than those who never smoked.