Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Good morning and welcome to Episode 019 of the Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!
In Episode 019, Dr. Trayford shares a brain tip that may seem like common sense: Stop smoking and vaping. Smoking (and even vaping) affects brain function, and though we don’t fully understand all the repercussions yet, these habits may have long-term effects on the brain. Let this be the reason that helps you kick the habit today! Join us!
If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening.
Chances are good if you’re a smoker you’ve heard talk about the harm that smoking causes to the lungs, cardiovascular system as well as increasing the chances of several different types of cancer. So it should come as no surprise to hear that smoking, and vaping from electronic smoking devices, can have a negative impact on the brain.
Of course it also goes without saying that these behaviors don’t just impact us. They also have an impact on the people around us. The bottom line is that when you’re putting something into your lungs, when you’re having these things attach to the alveoli in your lungs, which are the parts of your lungs that are meant to bring in oxygen, that you’re going to have health related challenges.
The thing that a lot of people don’t think about, which can potentially be more dangerous, is the chemicals associated with smoking and vaping. There are all kinds of different estimates on the multitude of chemicals in cigarettes. When it comes to vaping and e-cigarettes, there simply isn’t enough definitive research to accurately know what is happening with all of these synthetic additions and flavoring agents and chemical agents.
These chemicals enter the blood stream through the lungs and our bodies have to work to process them. In a lot of cases they are not naturally occurring substances or substances that our body is not originally designed to be able to process. So the body can be damaged because of it, even more particularly the brain can be damaged as a result.
If you’re interested in quitting, cold turkey is the best way to go. Of course I also recognize that a lot of people can have a challenge with that. It’s not uncommon for it to take several attempts before someone can successfully quit for good. At the very least decreasing the number of cigarettes you smoke by one or two each week will help to push you in the right direction and keep you mindful of the fact that you’re actively making a choice to embrace a healthier lifestyle and control the chemicals that are going into your body.
At the same time it’s a great opportunity for you to replace the these cigarettes and e-cigarettes with other activities, like going out for a walk or having a healthy snack like carrots and celery.
The cessation program you choose is a personal one. At the bottom line is that an idle mind needs that fix for some reason. Maybe that reason is related to anxiety, stress or really a lot of different things. Staying away from polluting the lungs with smoke and chemicals gives your brain the opportunity to make the most out of the oxygen and other key nutrients it needs to be it’s best.
Links for this episode:
Learn more at APEX Brain Centers.com
Read the APEX Brain Centers BLOG
Follow us on Facebook
On Google Plus
Follow APEX Brain Centers on Twitter
And here is the Twitter handle for this podcast: @BrainPodcast365
Visit our YouTube Channel