Being able to relax is a common claim by many persons who overuse this excuse to explain why they have bad smoking habits. The funny part is clear when it becomes public information that their smoking habits were scientifically proved to do quite the opposite. What do they say in response? Those scientists couldn’t possibly test every cigarette in the world, so there is a chance that the ones I smoke are safe. Maybe in that case, smoking caused shrinkage of their brains. In this article I will attempt to disclaim a myth produced by smokers whilst reforming the reality which actually take place in the body of smokers.

Alcohol is one of the most common relaxing substance known to man, and as we all know when overused, results in passing out, unconsciousness, and awaking in the bed of a complete stranger. Although the latter has nothing to do with this article, it is very close to a scientific fact. However, the smoking of cigarettes does not cause the slightest of a dosing off effect, even when excessively smoking.
The reason for this is the fact that smoking increases anxiety in the smoker and thus, makes them more aware rather than putting them to sleep or relaxing them. By heightening the senses and increasing agitation of the nervous system, smokers are less relaxed after smoking. As the nicotine from the cigarette leaves the body, this removal of agitation is comparatively termed as relaxation by the brain. Hence, we feel as if it is the cigarette doing its job, when it is our body’s own removal system to thank.

The inhalation of carbon monoxide is responsible for the body’s red blood cells to hold less oxygen molecules. This stresses out the heart to pump faster to maintain the required amount throughout the body
The nicotine present in the cigarette acts as a neuro-stimulant to cause blood to be drawn away from the body’s extremities, such as the toes, skin, fingers and digestive system, and into main arteries, causing the smoker’s blood pressure to rise.

In general, smokers find the action quiet, peaceful and easy, hence they grove themselves to believe that smoking is relaxing. However, mental alertness is increased when smoking, causing the smoker to easily shut out any distractions and remain focused. Smoking cigarettes occurs more abundant in people under everyday stress at work. Hence, when they finally obtain increased mental alertness, they may confuse this feeling with that of being relaxed.

In conclusion, cigarettes do not relax a smoker, it builds up anxiety and mental awareness in the smoker. However, the removal of the nicotine present in the cigarette by the body, causes the smoker to be relatively relaxed, compared with the few minutes experienced whilst the nicotine was in the body. Hence the general confusion by smokers to claim that smoking cigarettes relaxes them.