A new study released by UCLA, states that tobacco smoking has a major impact on teens' brains. The study shows that smoking can actually effect a youth's rational decisions regarding their well-being, and that includes their decision to stop smoking.While studies have linked cigarette smoking to deficits in attention and memory in adults, UCLA wanted to compare brain function in adolescent smokers and non-smokers. Focus was given to the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that guides "executive functions" like decision-making and that is still developing structurally and functionally in adolescents.
Simply put, the greater the addiction the less activity in prefrontal cortex. We must remember that teens are still developing socially and physically and adding tobacco hurts the entire developmental process.
The test consisted of pressing a button when a lighted arrow appears, unless a auditory tone was played then no action was required. This would test the ability to inhibit an action.
We all know the dangers of smoking, yet teens still smoke. In fact, 80% of adult smokers became addicted by the time they were 18 years old. Studies like these are crucial to understanding how we can assist our youth from ever starting to smoke.
To read more about the study, click on the link below.
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/25072
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