The Brain

The brain is part of the nervous system. Blood vessels that supply the brain with needed oxygen and other nutrients can be damaged by chemicals found in tobacco products. This damage is called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Carbon monoxide found in cigarettes damages the inner wall of your arteries, and fat builds up. After years of smoking, this buildup of fat causes your blood vessels to narrow and harden. They lose their ability to bend and stretch. Nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products also contributes to this process. One result of atherosclerosis can be a stroke.