[paul.fr]

Is it true that smoking suppresses hunger? if so how?

[DoctorBeaver]

Yes & I don't know.

[dentstudent]

I found this on the net, so obviously treat it with the caution it may require:

Smoking May Spark Hunger

According to a study by Yale University researchers, mice exposed to nicotine experienced increased motivation to seek food, an effect that seemed to last for weeks after exposure.

The findings fly in the face of the popular belief that smoking suppresses appetite. "Although acute nicotine can act as an appetite suppressant, these data are the first to suggest that repeated exposure to nicotine has the opposite effect, that nicotine increases motivation for food for weeks following exposure to the drug," said Darlene Brunzell, lead researcher on the study.

Added Stephanie O'Malley, professor of psychiatry and principal investigator for the Center for Nicotine & Tobacco Use Research at Yale: "This research suggests that when young people take up smoking to regulate their weight, this may be counterproductive in addition to being harmful to their health. More research is needed to determine how exactly that works, but this does show that there could be a connection between exposure to nicotine and subsequent weight gain in some individuals."

The findings have significance for stop-smoking programs, which often are challenged by female smokers who are reluctant to quit because they believe they will gain weight.

The study also found that Beta 2 nicotine receptors in the brain are involved in the drug's role in stimulating behavioral cues.

[another_someone]

Don't know if smoking suppresses hunger, or acts in other ways, but there are many cases I have heard of (anecdotal evidence, but consistent enough that it cannot be casually dismissed) that people who have ceased smoking put on weight.  It may have nothing to do with hunger, and more to do with changes in metabolism, or it may indeed just be, as suggested by Paul, a hunger suppressant - I don't know.

[dentstudent]

Don't know if smoking suppresses hunger, or acts in other ways, but there are many cases I have heard of (anecdotal evidence, but consistent enough that it cannot be casually dismissed) that people who have ceased smoking put on weight.  It may have nothing to do with hunger, and more to do with changes in metabolism, or it may indeed just be, as suggested by Paul, a hunger suppressant - I don't know.

Or indeed the fact that there is now nothing to do in the place of smoking and eating is someting of a comforter. So it's not necessarily that hunger has been re-initiated, but that an alternative habit has been provoked.

[Karen W.]

I think that may be very close to the truth! People do tend to exchange one habit for another at times. I stopped eating all the time and got on here to help alleviate the urge to snack or eat too much! It helps but traded one addiction for the other. I prefer this one quite honestly and so does my body! LOL

[paul.fr]

I definately smoke more that i eat, if that makes sense?

More often than not, if i feel peckish i will light a cig up instead of going and getting a snack. Is this just being lazy, in part quite possibly. But it does reduce what little hunger i feel.

saying that i do not eat much at all, some days i am quite happy just to have cerial and toast and that's it for the day.

[Karen W.]

Yep I feel hungry and sit here instead of eating but I must remind myself to eat small regular snacks!

[Carolyn]

smoking suppressed hunger & sugar cravings for me. When I quit I gained 70 pounds, but thankfully have since lost it! []

[chris]

Cigarettes do not suppress hunger. Last time someone told me that I ate a whole packet and they just gave me the trots.

[paul.fr]

Cigarettes do not suppress hunger. Last time someone told me that I ate a whole packet and they just gave me the trots.

maybe, you should try menthol next time.