smoking and depression

[sandy620]

I smoke and wonder if it interferes with the medications, have breakthrough depression after many years on meds. Thank you, Sandy

[RicardoODurnin]

I am a heavy smoker, 2 to 3 pacs a day. I read studies that nicotine, alcohol and caffeine (specially with sugar) are pretty bad for depression. I quit alcohol and coffee but at this point I am not willing to quit smoking, I guess I'm entitle to keep at least one bad habit

[Hensley258]

I suppose it is possible. I have always smoked, so I have no other experience to go by.

You mention a return of your depression after years of being able to keep it under control with meds? I have the same problem. My P-doc has explained to me that after so many years of taking SSRI and SNRI meds, that my body is starting to build up a resistance to their theraputic effects. This is why I have to change meds every couple years or so.

Maybe the same thing is also happining to you. Our bodies are very resiliant machines. It's our bodies job to view every synthetic chemical put in our system as an assult that must be destroyed. Eventually your body will figure out a way to make SSRI meds as useless as a Sugar pill. It's all just a matter of when.

When this does happen, our depression and anxiety ramp up because they go unchecked by our meds. So far I have built up resistance to 7 different AD medications over a 16 year period.

[Jade59]

Hi Sandy, absolutely YES nicotine interfers with medications.  Not all, but some.  When I stopped smoking I went looking for nicotine withdrawal symptoms on the Internet because I was having panic attacks and I found out that nicotine does in fact have an effect on some meds.  Of course, smoking also causes anxiety you know.  

If you google nicotine interactions, I think you will find the answer you're looking for.

Good Luck!!