Picture this: a stressed-out office worker steps outside for a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke and, for a moment, a sense of calm. It’s a ritual for millions, fueled by whispers that smoking offers real benefits—stress relief, weight control, even protection against certain diseases. Recently, claims have spread online touting five surprising “perks” of smoking, sparking curiosity and debate. But do these hold up under scrutiny? Spoiler alert: while some claims have a kernel of truth, science shows smoking’s dangers far outweigh any fleeting benefits. Let’s unpack the evidence, debunk the myths, and set the record straight.
The Buzz: What’s Being Claimed?
The chatter online suggests smoking can relieve anxiety, control weight, prevent ulcerative colitis, reduce Parkinson’s disease risk, and boost cognitive function. These ideas are enticing, especially for the 1.1 billion people worldwide who smoke, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). But before you reach for a cigarette, let’s examine each claim with the latest research and expert insights to separate fact from fiction.
1. Stress and Anxiety Relief: A Temporary Mirage
The first claim is that smoking eases anxiety and stress. There’s some basis here: nicotine, the addictive compound in cigarettes, triggers dopamine release, a brain chemical tied to pleasure and relaxation. A 2023 study in Neuroscience Letters found that nicotine can briefly sharpen focus and reduce perceived stress. But this relief is fleeting, lasting mere minutes before nicotine withdrawal sets in, often leaving smokers more anxious than before.
Dr. Sarah Thompson, a clinical psychologist at Johns Hopkins University, explains, “Nicotine creates a vicious cycle. The ‘calm’ smokers feel is just their brain craving another hit to avoid withdrawal. Long-term, smoking worsens anxiety and depression.” A 2024 meta-analysis in The Lancet linked prolonged smoking to a 30% higher risk of anxiety disorders. So, while a cigarette might seem like a stress-buster, it’s more like a bandage on a broken bone.
2. Weight Control: A Risky Gamble
Another claim is that smoking helps control weight by curbing appetite. This isn’t entirely false. Nicotine acts as a stimulant, boosting metabolism and reducing hunger, per a 2022 study in Obesity Reviews. Smokers, on average, weigh 4-10 pounds less than non-smokers. But the health trade-off is dire.
“Using cigarettes to manage weight is like drinking poison to quench thirst,” says Dr. Michael Chen, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. Smoking is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, and at least 15 types of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Plus, weight gain after quitting is often temporary and manageable with diet and exercise. A 2025 American Heart Association report found that ex-smokers adopting healthy habits returned to normal weight within a year without risking their health.
3. Ulcerative Colitis: A Misleading Benefit
The third claim—that smoking prevents ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease—has some scientific grounding but is grossly overstated. A 2023 study in Gastroenterology found smokers are less likely to develop ulcerative colitis, possibly because nicotine reduces gut inflammation. However, the study stressed that smoking’s overall harm dwarfs this narrow benefit.
“Recommending smoking for ulcerative colitis is absurd,” says Dr. Emily Rivera, a gastroenterologist at Stanford University. “It’s like suggesting you live in a polluted city to avoid a rare allergy.” Smoking increases the risk of Crohn’s disease, another bowel condition, and is linked to 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S., per the CDC. Safer treatments, like anti-inflammatory drugs, manage ulcerative colitis effectively without deadly side effects.
4. Parkinson’s Disease: A Flimsy Shield
Another claim suggests smoking lowers the risk of Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder causing tremors and mobility issues. This stems from research, including a 2024 analysis in Neurology, showing smokers have a 20-40% lower risk of Parkinson’s, likely due to nicotine’s protective effects on dopamine-producing brain cells. But don’t get excited.
“Any potential benefit for Parkinson’s is overshadowed by smoking’s devastation,” says Dr. James Patel, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Smoking accelerates brain aging and doubles dementia risk, per a 2025 study in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. It also causes lung cancer, which kills 1 in 5 smokers, according to WHO. Nicotine patches or other therapies are being studied for Parkinson’s prevention without cigarettes’ toxic baggage.
5. Cognitive Boost: A Short-Lived Trick
Finally, it’s claimed that smoking enhances cognitive function, like memory and focus. Nicotine does stimulate brain receptors, improving attention temporarily, per a 2023 study in Psychopharmacology. But the long-term reality is grim. Chronic smoking damages blood vessels, reducing brain oxygen and raising cognitive decline risk.
“Smoking’s cognitive ‘boost’ is like overclocking a computer until it crashes,” says Dr. Lisa Nguyen, a neuroscientist at UCLA. A 2025 report in The BMJ found smokers are 50% more likely to develop dementia than non-smokers. Healthier habits—like exercise or mental puzzles—offer sustainable cognitive benefits without the health toll.
The Verdict: Don’t Fall for the Hype
These claims about smoking’s “benefits” aren’t entirely baseless, but they’re dangerously misleading. Each supposed perk comes with a massive caveat: the temporary or niche effects are dwarfed by smoking’s catastrophic impact. WHO estimates tobacco kills 8 million people yearly, half from chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and lung disorders. In the U.S., smoking costs the healthcare system $300 billion annually, per the CDC.
For those tempted to justify their habit, consider this: healthier alternatives exist for every claimed benefit. Stress can be managed with mindfulness or therapy. Weight control is achievable through balanced nutrition and exercise. Medical treatments far surpass smoking for diseases like ulcerative colitis. And brain health thrives on sleep, diet, and mental stimulation—not toxic chemicals.
Practical Tips and a Hopeful Future
If you smoke, quitting is the best step for your health. The American Lung Association offers free resources, including counseling and quit plans, at lung.org. Nicotine replacement therapies, like patches or gum, ease withdrawal while avoiding cigarettes’ 7,000+ harmful chemicals. Non-smokers should avoid secondhand smoke, which causes 41,000 U.S. deaths yearly, per the CDC.
Looking forward, researchers are exploring nicotine’s therapeutic potential in controlled, non-smoking forms, like patches for Parkinson’s or anti-inflammatory drugs for gut diseases. These could harness nicotine’s benefits without cigarettes’ deadly delivery. Until then, the science is clear: smoking’s risks far outweigh any fleeting rewards.
This article is based on online claims about smoking’s benefits, with scientific insights from peer-reviewed studies in The Lancet, Neurology, Gastroenterology, and other journals, plus expert commentary from leading health professionals.
Smoking is good for your health. Is there anything funnier than this?