What Happens When You Stop Smoking?

What Happens When You Stop Smoking?

The harmful effects of smoking on the human body are well-known. When a person smokes, over 7,000 chemicals, including about 250 harmful ones, enter the body. These not only “destroy” the lungs but also damage the heart, blood vessels, and other organs. However, when you stop smoking, your body begins to experience significant positive changes, even if you’ve smoked for many years.

So, what happens when you stop smoking?

Within 20 minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.

After 2 hours: Your hands and feet become warmer as blood circulation improves in these peripheral areas.

After 12 hours: Your body clears out excess carbon monoxide from smoking, and oxygen levels return to normal.

After 1 day: Your risk of heart attack and stroke begins to decrease as your blood pressure lowers and the small hairs in your lungs start to remove carbon monoxide from your body.

After 2 days: Your sense of taste and smell return as smoking damages the nerve endings responsible for these senses.

After 3 days: Nicotine levels in your body deplete, which may cause irritability, sadness, and cravings.

After 1 month: Your lung function improves, allowing you to breathe better and experience less coughing and shortness of breath after exercise.

After 9 months: The tiny hairs in your lungs recover, reducing the risk of lung infections.

After 1 year: Your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half.

After 10 years: The risk of dying from lung cancer drops by 50%, and the chances of developing cancer in the mouth, throat, or pancreas also significantly decrease.

After 20 years: The risk of death from smoking-related causes, such as lung disease or cancer, falls to that of someone who has never smoked. Your risk of developing pancreatic cancer also reduces to the level of a non-smoker.

Understanding what happens when you stop smoking can motivate you to take that crucial step toward a healthier life. If you’ve never smoked, avoid starting. If you do smoke, for your health and that of your family and those around you, quit smoking as soon as possible.