A sleep-deprived body seeks any kind of stimulation to stay awake, which is why cravings for cigarettes increase when you’re tired. (Source: Pexels)In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, pulling an all-nighter is no surprise. Whether it’s cramming for a college assignment or racing to meet a work deadline, the pattern is everywhere. What follows is a groggy day where your body feels drained, your mind can’t focus, everything becomes a trigger, and time seems to go on for eternity.
Desperate to snap out of this state, many reach for a cigarette. And no lies there: it momentarily brings relief, loosens the nerves, jolts the mind awake, and makes the day feel a tad more tolerable. But why?
“Nicotine releases dopamine, the happy hormone, which lowers stress and brings short-term relaxation. However, as soon as dopamine levels drop, the stress and fatigue come rushing back,” explains Dr Vikas Mittal, Pulmonologist and Director at Wellness Home Clinic and Sleep Centre, Paschim Vihar. Thus comes another cigarette and then another one, creating an endless cycle of needing the nicotine to keep yourself from dozing off.
The alertness that the cigarette brings is because of the nicotine triggering stimulatory hormones like adrenaline. “It may feel like smoking is helping you stay awake, but that alertness is due to adrenaline,” Dr. Mittal adds. This surge is followed by an increase in pulse rate, which worsens inflammation in the body and lungs and can contribute to chronic lung diseases.
A sleep-deprived body is looking for any any kind of stimulation to stay awake, and thus craves smoking even more (Source: Pexels)
“Both smoking and sleep deprivation cause inflammation in the body,” Dr. Mittal warns. “And the combination is definitely more dangerous.” Naturally, a tired body is unable to handle it like a well-rested one. The immunity drops, infections creep in, and fatigue worsens.
“If you smoke in a sleep-deprived state, your immunity becomes much lower,” he says. That’s why you’ll catch colds and flu more easily than a person who sleeps well. Under the microscope, the changes may not show as structural damage just yet, but chemically, the lungs of a sleep-deprived smoker are flooded with inflammatory markers, Dr Mittal warns.
He acknowledges that a sleep-deprived body craves smoke even more. This is because a tired mind seeks any kind of stimulation to stay awake and alert. “If someone is already a smoker, then obviously the addiction to nicotine worsens,” Dr Mittal explains. With exhaustion building, the urge to light up intensifies, turning cigarette breaks from voluntary unwinding into the only cushion preventing a crash.
While one cigarette after an all-nighter might seem innocent or just part of an existing addiction, it could have serious consequences if it becomes a habit. “One bad night and one cigarette won’t cause permanent damage,” Dr Mittal reassures, “but it’s always harmful to combine smoking with sleep deprivation. The real danger lies in making it a pattern.”
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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