Do you think smoking is only bad for your lungs? Think again
Our friends at SmokeFree.gov recently put together this handy interactive program detailing how smoking negatively impacts every facet of one's health.
From the brain to the mouth to the heart to the bones to even the white blood cells — no aspect of human physiology can escape smoking's wrath.
Here are a few examples
Weakened immune system. Cigarette smoke contains high levels of tar and other chemicals, which can make your immune system less effective at fighting off infections. This means you’re more likely to get sick.
DNA. Every single puff of a cigarette causes damages to your DNA. When DNA is damaged, the “instruction manual” gets messed up, and the cell can begin growing out of control and create a cancer tumor.
Bigger belly. Smokers have bigger bellies and less muscle than non-smokers. They are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, even if they don’t smoke every day.
Muscle deterioration. When you smoke, less blood and oxygen flow to your muscles, making it harder to build muscle.
Become addicted. Nicotine from cigarettes is as addictive as heroin. Nicotine addiction is hard to beat because it changes your brain.
And the list goes on from there.
Fortunately, the site isn't all doom and gloom. Each interactive menu features a paragraph on the numerous benefits of quitting. For example, did you know that "[t]he large number of nicotine receptors in your brain will return to normal levels after about a month of [quitting]"?