Probably depression is a complex thing with distinct pathologies covered by one word that can’t capture all the causes, even tho symptoms overlap across distinct types. Gut brain important too.

Everyone’s different. I didn’t get COVID but my spouse got it and we lived in a very dense part of the world during it. Before taking a crowded train my body would crave a cigarette, not for the anxiety, would be like the night before, but I figured out it was warming up my immune system. Maybe the oxidative chemicals in the smoke also kill virus and bacteria too. I very seldom get halitosis but I find a cigarette knocks it out and it doesn’t come back. Everyone’s different tho which is also science: epigenetics etc.

I think occasional tobacco aligns with its historical use as a shamanic or medicinal herb. I love the nicotine high but I’ve never been addicted compulsively so I never got into it, but occasional is good. Track my health across years where I have a couple cigarettes versus none at all and it’s better in those moderation years. Very occasional is good for my qi too.

It’s funny tho that CDC admits it improves depression in some. Haha