Hookah and the Mind: How Social Smoking Influences Mental Health in Young Adults

Hookah and the Mind: How Social Smoking Influences Mental Health in Young Adults

Situating the Conversation without the Usual “What Is”

On a Friday evening in New York, a group of college friends crowd around a hookah pipe in a dimly lit lounge. In Delhi, a similar scene unfolds at a rooftop café where flavored smoke swirls through laughter and selfies. In London and Sydney, hookah bars sit quietly tucked between pubs and cafés, drawing young professionals who want a way to unwind. The image is almost universal now-hookah as a symbol of social connection, relaxation, and cultural coolness.

But behind these colorful settings is a different story that rarely makes it to the surface. Hookah is not just smoke in the air; it represents a pattern of behavior that ties directly into how young people feel, think, and cope with stress. It’s not just a recreational choice. For many, it becomes a ritual tied to identity, friendships, and even coping strategies when life feels overwhelming.

As a psychologist, I often hear young adults describe hookah nights not only as entertainment but as “therapy sessions” with friends. They talk about how the act of passing the pipe around the circle makes them feel more connected. They claim the flavored smoke relaxes them in ways daily routines cannot. Yet, when asked about the aftereffects, many also mention lingering anxiety, low mood the next morning, or an urge to plan the next lounge visit sooner than expected. This paradox-relaxation in the moment, unease later-captures the hidden mental health story of hookah.

This isn’t about labeling hookah as good or bad in absolute terms. Rather, it’s about understanding how a simple social activity intersects with the sensitive mental landscape of young adulthood. The teenage brain and the twenties are already filled with heightened emotional intensity, identity searching, and vulnerability to peer pressure. Add nicotine and smoke rituals into the mix, and you see why psychologists are increasingly paying attention.

The conversation about hookah and mental health must move beyond physical harm and cancer risk, topics that dominate most health warnings. What matters here is: How does hookah influence the emotional balance of young people? How does it shape their coping skills and mental resilience? And why do so many believe it helps when evidence suggests otherwise? These are the questions we’ll address, not from a place of fear, but with empathy and clarity for those caught in the swirl of social smoke.

Social Appeal vs. Mental Impact

The appeal of hookah is powerful because it blends social belonging with sensory pleasure. Unlike cigarettes, which are often smoked alone and carry a stigma, hookah is group-centered. The setup itself-pipes, hoses, flavors-turns smoking into a shared ritual. For college students in Boston, café-goers in Bangalore, or party-goers in Dubai, the act of gathering around a hookah becomes a shorthand for community.

Flavored tobacco adds to the illusion of safety. Mango, mint, blueberry, cola-the aromas mask the harshness of smoke. Many young adults say it feels less toxic than cigarettes because it “tastes sweet” or because the smoke passes through water. This perception is deeply misleading. Research consistently shows that the water does not filter harmful chemicals in a meaningful way. In fact, one hookah session can expose users to more smoke than several cigarettes combined.

Here lies the psychological trap: because the experience feels lighter and more sociable, users underestimate the impact on their mental health. A student might say, “It helps me relax before exams,” while another insists, “It’s just for fun, nothing serious.” What they don’t always recognize is that nicotine, the central ingredient in most hookah tobacco, is rewiring their brain with each puff.

Nicotine creates short bursts of calm by stimulating dopamine release. In the short term, this feels like stress relief. But once nicotine levels drop, the brain demands more, leading to restlessness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Over time, the very “relaxation” tool becomes the source of stress. This cycle is why many young adults report feeling low or anxious after nights of heavy hookah use, even if they don’t connect the dots.

Social reinforcement deepens the hookah habit. Imagine being the only one in the group who refuses to smoke-many fear standing out or missing out. This is especially true in collectivist cultures like India or the Middle East, where shared rituals carry weight, but it’s equally strong among Western youth who crave peer acceptance. Psychologically, the desire to belong often outweighs the desire to protect one’s health.

In therapy, I’ve spoken with young professionals who confessed they didn’t even enjoy the taste of hookah but joined in because “that’s how we bond.” Others admitted feeling guilty afterward but unable to resist the pull of the group. The tension between fitting in socially and protecting mental well-being is one of the hardest struggles young adults face today.

So while hookah offers belonging and ease in the short term, it often plants seeds of dependency, stress, and even mood disturbances in the long run. What looks like harmless social smoke can quietly shape the mental health trajectory of an entire generation.

Mental Health Landscape & Hookah Usage: Regional Data Highlights

Hookah is no longer confined to Middle Eastern traditions. Today, it is woven into the fabric of nightlife, college culture, and café life across the globe. To understand its mental health impact, we need to look at how widely it is used, and how cultural settings shape the story.

United States: Hookah use has steadily shifted from a niche activity to a mainstream one among young adults. National surveys show that while cigarette smoking has declined among teens, hookah and vaping filled the gap. University campuses in California, New York, and Florida have reported hookah as a “trendy” alternative to smoking, often marketed as safer. Yet, young Americans who use hookah regularly are more likely to report higher stress levels, lower academic focus, and increased symptoms of depression. The mental cost is often hidden behind flavored smoke.

India: In Indian cities like Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai, hookah cafés rose in popularity during the last two decades. Young professionals and college students often see it as a modern lifestyle choice. But here’s the twist: many Indian states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, have banned hookah lounges due to rising health concerns. Despite restrictions, use continues privately in homes and small cafés. Among Indian youth, hookah often blends into celebrations and group rituals, making it difficult to challenge. Mental health professionals in India increasingly see hookah as part of stress management gone wrong-an attempt to cope with pressure that only worsens emotional stability.

United Kingdom: London and Birmingham host vibrant hookah bars, especially in neighborhoods with Middle Eastern and South Asian communities. Surveys suggest that hookah is especially popular among university students and young professionals. Many report using it as a way to socialize after work or exams. However, British health experts warn that young adults who smoke hookah show higher levels of fatigue, mood swings, and risk-taking behavior. Mental health awareness campaigns are now targeting shisha users, highlighting its link with anxiety and depression.

Australia and Canada: In Sydney, Melbourne, and Toronto, hookah culture thrives among multicultural communities. It is often presented as a harmless alternative to alcohol-based socializing. Young Australians in particular describe hookah as a “stress escape” during exams or long workweeks. Yet psychologists point out that regular hookah use correlates with disrupted sleep, emotional instability, and reduced resilience to stress.

When we look across regions, a pattern emerges: young adults often underestimate hookah’s effects. They view it as cultural, trendy, or harmless. Yet the psychological toll-higher stress, dependence, and mood changes-appears in every country where its use is rising. Whether in Mumbai or New York, London or Sydney, the underlying mental health risks remain the same.

This global perspective highlights why hookah is not just a health issue but a mental health concern that transcends borders. The cultural wrapping may differ, but the psychological impact is remarkably consistent.

Cognitive & Emotional Effects of Nicotine via Hookah

Nicotine is the invisible thread tying together the hookah experience and its impact on the mind. While flavors and rituals mask the reality, it is nicotine that drives both the short-lived comfort and the long-term harm.

For a young brain-still developing well into the mid-twenties-nicotine acts like a rewiring agent. It alters pathways that regulate mood, focus, memory, and impulse control. That’s why adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable. They don’t just experience the “buzz” of smoking; their brains adapt quickly, building patterns of dependency that linger.

Short-term effects: Within minutes of smoking, nicotine triggers dopamine release, the same chemical linked to pleasure and reward. Young adults describe this as relaxation or a “light head.” They may also feel more talkative or engaged with friends. However, once nicotine levels drop, the opposite happens: irritability, restlessness, difficulty focusing. What seemed like stress relief turns into a cycle of craving and withdrawal.

Emotional consequences: Over time, this cycle destabilizes mood. Many regular hookah users report higher levels of anxiety, even though they believe smoking helps them cope. It’s a psychological trap-the very tool they use for relief becomes the source of unease. Research shows that young adults who use nicotine regularly are more likely to develop depressive symptoms, feel socially isolated when not smoking, and struggle with emotional regulation.

Cognitive strain: Nicotine also affects concentration and memory. Students who smoke hookah before study sessions may feel temporarily energized, but they often report mental fatigue the following day. Sleep disturbances are common, and poor sleep amplifies stress and low mood. Over time, this undermines academic performance and workplace productivity.

Social reinforcement of cognitive effects: When smoking is done in groups, the effects extend beyond biology. Friends bond over the temporary lift, reinforcing the behavior. The group setting hides individual struggles, making it easier to normalize the mental lows that follow. In online therapy sessions, I’ve heard young adults describe feeling “mentally foggy” or “emotionally off” after hookah nights, yet they return to it because “that’s how we connect.”

In simple terms: nicotine hijacks the brain’s natural systems for coping and regulating emotions. Instead of learning to manage stress through healthy strategies, young adults begin to rely on the artificial comfort of hookah sessions. The more they depend on it, the weaker their natural resilience becomes.

The real danger isn’t just the smoke-it’s how hookah reshapes the mental toolkit of young people, leaving them more vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and mood disorders in the years ahead.

Social Smoking: Perceived Harmlessness Turns Harmful

One of the most dangerous aspects of hookah smoking is not just the smoke itself-it is the perception that it is harmless. Cigarettes carry bold warning labels, images of lungs, and decades of public health campaigns. Hookah, on the other hand, often comes packaged in colorful lounges, fruity flavors, and dimly lit social spaces that make it feel safe and even glamorous.

Young adults often repeat the same line: “It’s just flavored smoke.” The presence of water in the hookah base fuels another common myth-that toxins are filtered out. In reality, the water does little more than cool the smoke. Studies have shown that one session of hookah smoking can expose a person to as much or more nicotine and carbon monoxide than smoking a pack of cigarettes. Yet, because it doesn’t feel as harsh, people assume it carries fewer risks.

The sense of safety is further reinforced by the group setting. Unlike cigarette smokers who may face social judgment, hookah users often gather in groups where the activity is normalized. In lounges across London, Mumbai, or Los Angeles, hookah is served like coffee, accompanied by music and conversation. This normalizes the behavior, especially for newcomers.

Psychologically, this false sense of safety is dangerous because it reduces barriers to entry. A young adult who might never touch a cigarette can easily accept an invitation to a hookah night. Once inside the ritual, they discover a sense of belonging that feels hard to replace. They may even frame hookah as “better than drinking,” using it to justify continued use.

But the mental aftershocks are real. Nicotine withdrawal after a long session can leave users anxious, restless, and moody. Some report waking the next morning with headaches or feelings of low motivation. Over time, these subtle shifts add up. What starts as a fun evening ritual can become a contributor to chronic stress, lowered self-esteem, and even symptoms of depression.

For many young adults, the greatest harm of hookah is not physical illness decades later but the quiet erosion of their present mental health. By the time they recognize the connection, the habit is already linked with their social identity.

Mental Health Risks in Context

The mental health risks tied to hookah smoking become clearer when placed in the context of young adulthood. This life stage is already marked by challenges-balancing studies or early careers, forming relationships, managing financial stress, and shaping personal identity. Hookah enters this mix not as an innocent pastime but as a coping mechanism that can magnify emotional struggles.

Stress relief paradox: Many users describe hookah as a way to relax. The flavored smoke, the dim lights of the lounge, and the laughter with friends create an atmosphere of calm. Yet the science tells another story. The nicotine in hookah creates a short burst of relaxation but then leaves the brain craving more. This craving produces stress. Instead of reducing anxiety, hookah use builds a cycle of temporary relief followed by heightened tension. Over time, the baseline stress level actually rises.

Depressive symptoms: Multiple studies have connected regular hookah use with higher rates of depressive feelings. This isn’t surprising when you consider the nicotine cycle. After repeated exposure, young adults often report feeling emotionally flat, less motivated, or generally down. These symptoms are sometimes dismissed as academic burnout or work fatigue, but hookah may be playing a silent role.

Social identity pressures: In cultures where hookah is seen as a social glue, refusing to join can feel isolating. This pressure is particularly strong in collectivist societies like India or Middle Eastern communities, but it also exists in Western settings like American colleges where group activities define belonging. Feeling forced into hookah sessions to maintain friendships adds another layer of stress, guilt, and even resentment-emotions that directly weigh on mental well-being.

Sleep and focus problems: Many users report disturbed sleep after smoking sessions. Nicotine disrupts normal sleep cycles, leading to shorter rest and less restorative sleep. Poor sleep is strongly tied to worsening anxiety and depression. In addition, reduced concentration during the day makes academic and work tasks harder, creating a cycle of stress and underperformance.

Gateway effects: For some, hookah is a first step into wider tobacco or substance use. Once normalized, it reduces the mental barrier to experimenting with cigarettes, vaping, or even alcohol. Each new habit brings its own mental health risks, compounding the effects.

Seen in context, hookah does not act alone-it interacts with existing pressures, amplifying them. A stressed student becomes more stressed. A lonely young adult feels lonelier when their coping mechanism wears off. The harm isn’t always dramatic, but it is cumulative. The small mental imbalances created by hookah can slowly tip a person’s overall well-being in the wrong direction.

Cultural, Regional & Professional Nuances

Hookah carries different meanings depending on where you live, what community you belong to, and even what profession you work in. Understanding these cultural and regional nuances is essential to see why young adults worldwide are drawn to it despite the risks.

India: In many North Indian states, hookah has roots in tradition. Historically, it was shared among families in villages as a symbol of hospitality. Today, that image blends with urban youth culture in metros like Delhi and Mumbai. Hookah cafés and lounges exploded in popularity in the early 2000s, marketed as chic, global spaces for young professionals. Even though states like Maharashtra and Punjab have banned hookah bars, private gatherings continue. For Indian youth juggling academic competition, career pressure, and family expectations, hookah becomes a symbol of modern rebellion-something that feels both social and personal.

Middle East and diaspora communities: In countries like Syria, Lebanon, and the UAE, hookah is deeply integrated into daily life. Families may share a session after dinner, and cafés often serve shisha as naturally as tea. Among diaspora communities in London, Toronto, and Sydney, hookah lounges act as cultural bridges, places where young adults feel connected to heritage while blending into Western nightlife. The challenge here is that hookah is not perceived as a vice but as tradition. Questioning it can feel like questioning identity itself, which makes mental health messaging more complex.

Western youth culture: In the United States, Canada, and the UK, hookah has become trendy on college campuses. Students describe it as a “chill” way to hang out without alcohol. Many prefer hookah lounges over bars, seeing it as a cleaner or more intellectual pastime. But the same students often report fatigue, low mood, or irritability the day after smoking. The cognitive dissonance-believing it is harmless while experiencing side effects-can be difficult to reconcile.

Professional environments: In cities like Dubai, Bangalore, and London, hookah is sometimes tied to corporate after-hours bonding. Young professionals head to lounges after stressful workdays, framing hookah as part of networking and relaxation. In therapy sessions, I have heard clients describe it as “a way to survive corporate life.” Yet, these same individuals struggle with burnout, irritability, and lack of focus, all worsened by nicotine’s effects on the brain.

What becomes clear is that hookah isn’t just about the act of smoking-it’s about what it symbolizes. For some, it represents tradition. For others, rebellion. For many, belonging. But regardless of the cultural lens, the psychological cost remains: dependence, stress cycles, and weakened coping skills. This is why addressing hookah’s mental health impact requires more than facts-it requires understanding the social fabric in which it is woven.

Interventions: Education, Policy & Alternative Coping

Tackling the mental health risks of hookah requires action on multiple fronts-education, policy, and personal coping strategies. Without this three-way approach, young adults will continue to underestimate its effects.

Education: Awareness campaigns must go beyond the typical “smoking causes cancer” message. Young adults already know hookah carries risks, but they downplay them because of how it feels. Campaigns should highlight the immediate mental health effects-anxiety, poor sleep, stress cycles, and mood instability. These are experiences young people recognize in themselves. When messages reflect their lived reality, they pay attention. Peer-to-peer education also helps, as students listen more readily to people their own age sharing stories of struggle with hookah use.

Policy: Governments have made strides, but gaps remain. In India, bans on hookah lounges in several states pushed the culture underground rather than eliminating it. Stronger regulation is needed around flavored tobacco, which attracts youth. In Western countries, licensing and health warning requirements for hookah lounges could mirror those for alcohol or cigarettes. Policies alone, however, will not shift behavior unless they are paired with cultural sensitivity and community engagement.

Coping alternatives: On the personal level, the best interventions focus on helping young adults replace hookah rituals with healthier forms of connection. Many say they turn to hookah because it feels like stress relief and social bonding. What if those needs could be met in other ways? Social activities that combine relaxation with belonging-group fitness, art sessions, mindfulness clubs, or even board game cafés-can serve as healthier substitutes. For stress management, practices like meditation, journaling, or therapy sessions provide relief without nicotine’s cost.

I recall a young professional in Mumbai who described hookah as his “escape button” after work. Over months of therapy, he replaced lounge nights with regular football games and mindfulness training. Not only did his stress drop, but his circle of friends grew, as he found others who valued healthy bonding. This kind of personal transformation is proof that alternatives work when they tap into the same needs hookah pretends to meet.

In the bigger picture, interventions must combine science with empathy. Young adults don’t respond well to fear-based messaging or outright bans. They respond when we respect why they use hookah-connection, identity, relaxation-while showing them healthier ways to find the same. With education, thoughtful policy, and real alternatives, the cycle of social smoking and mental harm can begin to break.

Expert Voices & Real-World Examples

When we talk about hookah and its influence on mental health, numbers and studies help, but stories bring the issue to life. As a psychologist, I’ve seen how young adults describe their experiences with hookah in ways that echo research findings. These voices give us a deeper look at the hidden psychological toll.

A college student in Boston once told me, “I don’t even like the taste. But all my friends go to the shisha lounge after class. If I don’t join, I feel left out. The smoke doesn’t relax me anymore, but being there makes me feel like I belong.” This reflection reveals how hookah is less about enjoyment and more about social survival. The pressure to fit in overrides concerns about health or mood.

In Mumbai, a young software engineer shared, “We would sit for hours at the lounge after work. It felt like a stress buster. But the next morning, I was restless and unable to focus on coding. At first, I thought it was my job stress, but when I stopped smoking, my concentration returned.” His story illustrates how hookah subtly erodes cognitive performance while disguising itself as relaxation.

A young woman in London described hookah as her “comfort blanket” during university exams. “It was how we calmed each other down. We laughed, studied less, smoked more. Later, I realized I wasn’t actually less anxious-I just postponed the anxiety until the morning.” Her words capture the emotional trap: hookah masks anxiety temporarily but worsens it in the long term.

From the professional side, many mental health practitioners echo the same concern. One therapist in Sydney summarized it well: “Hookah isn’t seen as a harmful behavior, so clients rarely bring it up. But when I ask about sleep, mood, and concentration, it comes out as a hidden factor.” In therapy, the link between hookah and mental health is often uncovered only after exploring broader patterns of stress and low mood.

These voices remind us that hookah is not just a recreational act-it is an emotional coping tool, a social ticket, and sometimes a silent contributor to poor mental health. By listening to these real-world experiences, we move closer to designing solutions that resonate with young people’s actual struggles, rather than simply handing them warnings.

Summary Table or Bullets for AI Overview Snippets

For clarity and easy reference, here are the key takeaways that highlight the relationship between hookah use and mental health in young adults. This section is intentionally structured for quick reading, making it suitable for Google’s featured snippets and AI overview picks:

Hookah and Mental Health at a Glance

• Perceived relaxation is temporary: Hookah produces short bursts of calm but increases anxiety and stress once nicotine wears off.

• Cognitive impact: Regular use disrupts sleep, weakens concentration, and reduces academic/work performance.

• Emotional toll: Higher risk of depressive symptoms, irritability, and emotional instability, especially in young adults.

• Social reinforcement: Group settings normalize smoking, making it harder for individuals to refuse and reinforcing dependency.

• Cultural influences: In India and the Middle East, hookah ties to tradition; in Western countries, it is trendy on campuses and workplaces.

• Global prevalence: From the U.S. to Australia, young adults report using hookah as stress relief-yet research shows it deepens stress cycles.

• Policy gaps: Bans in some regions have limited effect; regulation around flavored tobacco and awareness of mental health effects remain weak.

• Healthier alternatives: Group sports, creative clubs, mindfulness practices, and therapy provide the belonging and relief that hookah promises without the cost.

This concise overview helps both readers and search engines capture the core message: hookah is not just a cultural or social habit-it is a mental health issue that demands attention.

FAQs

1. Does hookah make you depressed?

Hookah use can contribute to depressive symptoms because nicotine disrupts mood regulation. While people often feel a temporary lift, the withdrawal phase increases irritability, sadness, and lack of motivation. Over time, this cycle can make feelings of depression worse.

2. Is hookah less harmful than cigarettes?

No. A single hookah session can expose you to as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. It also carries higher carbon monoxide levels. The sweet flavors and water base create a false sense of safety, but they don’t protect your lungs or your mental health.

3. Why is hookah popular among college students?

Hookah is seen as a social activity that brings people together. Students say it feels trendy, fun, and safer than drinking alcohol. Peer pressure and the desire to belong make it especially appealing during a life stage where social identity is being formed.

4. Can hookah cause anxiety?

Yes. Nicotine overstimulates the nervous system and creates dependency. After the initial calm wears off, the brain craves more, leading to restlessness, racing thoughts, and anxious feelings.

5. What are the mental health effects of hookah in young adults?

Young adults who use hookah regularly often report fatigue, difficulty focusing, higher stress levels, and more frequent low moods. Studies also link it to impulsivity and poor emotional regulation.

6. How many young adults in the USA use hookah?

While the numbers are lower than a decade ago, hookah remains popular in university towns. Surveys show that about 1 in 10 young adults has tried it, with higher use among 18–24 year olds compared to older groups.

7. Are there states in India where hookah bars are banned?

Yes. States like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh have banned public hookah lounges, but private and small café use continues.

8. Can hookah lead to smoking cigarettes?

It can. Hookah normalizes nicotine use, which lowers barriers to trying cigarettes, vaping, or other tobacco products. This “gateway effect” has been documented in multiple studies.

9. Does hookah affect brain development?

Yes. In adolescents and young adults, nicotine interferes with brain pathways that control attention, impulse control, and mood. This increases vulnerability to mental health struggles later in life.

10. Does hookah use help with stress?

It feels like it helps because of the short dopamine boost from nicotine. But once the effect fades, stress levels are actually higher. This creates a cycle where people smoke more often to chase relief that never lasts.

11. What short-term side effects do hookah users notice?

Common effects include headaches, nausea, dry throat, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating the next day. Many people confuse these with tiredness or work stress, but they are linked to nicotine and smoke exposure.

12. Why do hookah users believe it’s safe?

Marketing, fruity flavors, and the presence of water create a false sense of safety. Because it doesn’t taste as harsh as cigarettes, people assume it’s filtered, but this is misleading.

13. How does hookah affect sleep?

Nicotine disrupts sleep cycles, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing deep, restorative sleep. Poor sleep worsens stress, anxiety, and mood swings.

14. Is hookah common in Western countries?

Yes. In cities like London, New York, Toronto, and Sydney, hookah lounges attract young professionals and students. It is marketed as a social and trendy alternative to drinking.

15. Can hookah affect academic or work performance?

Yes. Hookah use reduces concentration, weakens memory, and increases fatigue. Students often report lower productivity the day after smoking, while professionals describe burnout and irritability.

16. Are there healthier alternatives to hookah for socializing?

Yes. Group activities like board game cafés, sports clubs, art nights, or even mindfulness groups provide the same sense of belonging without the health risks.

17. Does hookah addiction happen as fast as cigarette addiction?

It can. The nicotine content is similar, and because sessions last longer, the body still develops dependency. The difference is that people often don’t realize they are hooked until withdrawal symptoms show up.

18. Can quitting hookah improve mental health?

Yes. Many who quit report better sleep, less irritability, improved mood, and more energy. They also gain healthier coping strategies for stress, which strengthens long-term resilience.

19. Is hookah safer if smoked only once in a while?

Even occasional use exposes the brain and body to harmful chemicals. While the risk is lower than daily use, the same mental health effects-anxiety, mood swings, poor sleep-can appear after a single long session.

20. Why should mental health services talk about hookah?

Because young adults often use it as a coping tool. If therapy ignores it, an important part of their emotional struggles may be overlooked. Bringing hookah into the conversation allows for better understanding and healthier coping strategies.

Conclusion: Beyond the Smoke

Hookah is more than a social ritual. For young adults, it is often a way to bond, escape, or feel part of something larger. But beneath the laughter and flavored clouds lies a silent influence on the mind-cycles of stress, lowered mood, disrupted sleep, and weakened resilience.

As psychologists, educators, and mentors, our role is not to demonize hookah but to understand why it appeals to young people and how it subtly harms their mental health. The truth is simple: the calm it seems to offer is temporary, while the emotional costs are lasting.

Whether in New York, Delhi, London, or Sydney, the pattern is the same. Young adults turn to hookah for belonging and relief but end up with dependency and mental fatigue. Recognizing this cycle is the first step. Providing healthier alternatives, honest education, and empathetic support is the way forward.

At Click2Pro, we believe mental health conversations should address the realities of modern youth culture-including hookah. Our mission is to help young people find genuine resilience, authentic connection, and sustainable ways to manage stress-without losing themselves in the smoke.

About the Author

Srishty Bhadoria, M.P.C. (Master’s in Clinical Psychology), is a licensed professional counselor with over eight years of experience specializing in emotional and relational support. At Click2Pro, she brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to her writing and her clinical practice. Her expertise spans areas such as anxiety, depression, breakup recovery, relationship counselling, and stress management.

She deeply values accessibility and emotional clarity, which is why her articles avoid heavy clinical jargon-replacing it with everyday language that helps readers find comfort, understanding, and practical guidance. Prioritizing cultural sensitivity and emotional nuance, Srishty draws from her diverse experience supporting clients across backgrounds-from urban professionals to parents and students -ensuring her guidance resonates with people in India, the U.S., and around the globe.

When she’s not writing or counselling, Srishty enjoys quiet nature walks with her rescue pup, sketching emotional landscapes, and exploring cozy cafés that spark reflection and connection.