Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) released study yesterday showing that people who 25 or more cigarettes a day had elevated levels of monoamine oxidase in their brains 8 hours after their last cigarette. The same chemical is elevated in the brains of those said to be clinically depressed. The study’s authors say that this [...]
Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) released study yesterday showing that people who 25 or more cigarettes a day had elevated levels of monoamine oxidase in their brains 8 hours after their last cigarette. The same chemical is elevated in the brains of those said to be clinically depressed. The study’s authors say that this could explain why smokers have almost a double risk over the general population of becoming depressed. These results are unrelated to nicotine addiction. The author suggested that drugs could be developed which suppress monoamine oxidase in those trying to quit smoking. Read the full article online at http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/08/02/quitting-smoking-similar-to-clinical-depression-study/
With this new knowledge, what role can the pharmacist play? How can we help our patients with this aspect of smoking cessation? Just some food for thought as you sip your morning coffee! 
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