India, March 21 -- Smoking is an unhealthy habit, and it causes multiple health complications, from heart to lungs. However, cigarettes effect on mental health is underrated and crucial to understand. In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr Sameer Malhotra, senior director and head, Dept of mental health and behavioural sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket said, "Nicotine being a stimulant is associated with constriction of blood vessels, disturbing the blood flow to the peripheral parts of the body, and also to the brain. Smoking is also linked to the risk of atherosclerosis or plaque depositions in the blood vessels: again, restricting the blood flow to various parts of the body." Also read | How do I quit smoking?

However, smo...