In recent times, vaping is becoming a popular activity. Whether one compares it with establishing the status quo or trying out the innovations that come into the market, the number of vapors is rising significantly. It is easy to find a vape shop that has all the possible vape products you might need.
One more possible reason for the vaping industry flourishing is the messaging around a tobacco-free experience. It essentially means that using vapes might help you with chronic diseases such as lung cancer. In addition, compared to tobacco consumption, vaping reduces the intake of harmful substances like tar, carbon monoxide, cyanide, and other carcinogens.
In the United States, more than 480,000 individuals die per year due to cigarette smoking. Unfortunately, there are more than 41,000 deaths that result from passive smoking. According to the CDC statistics, it is essential to note that smokers live a life shorter by ten years compared to non-smokers.
What Is Vaping
For vaping, the e-cigarettes use volatile nicotine, along with other compounds such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. The heating coil inside these vapes converts liquid into vapor form for easy consumption. In short, vaping refers to the act of using vaporizers or vapes.
In E-cigarettes, there are small batteries. The question about how long these batteries last depends upon their usage. However, in general, they last around 2 to 6 hours.
While vaping, in general perception, is harmless, there are several toxic chemicals involved in the process that can lead to respiratory and heart diseases.
Essential Things To Know About Vaping And Mental Health
While vaping is an innovation that people are hailing, necessary research and studies also disclose essential revelations. It is time to look at them and explore how vaping relates to our mental health and its consequences.
It is a general tendency to ignore the mental health concerns of smoking or vaping. We emphasize the diseases resulting from smoking, such as liver cancer or lung cancer. Overall, the focus on one aspect leads to the marginalization and neglect of its impacts on mental health.
What Do Research And Studies Say?
In a Journal article, Dr. Patten (University of Calgary) argues that many people sideline the negative impacts of vaping on mental health. He busts the common myth that systemic inflammation, generally associated with smoking, does not deteriorate mental health while vaping. Nevertheless, he bolsters the argument that vaping also causes inflammatory changes.
Based on the assimilated evidence, Dr. Patten mentions that some vaping devices can deliver higher nicotine content than tobacco cigarettes. It can also lead to some changes/damages to the brain. He cites that mood disruptions, anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, and negatively perceived mental health are all associated with e-cigarette use.
In the context of Americans’ smoking history, attempts to quit, and their perceptions of vaping, a study conducted at the helm of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine came into the picture. In this study, the researchers questioned individuals regarding their mental health conditions, anxious attitude, and depressive episodes.
A total of 10,041 people were a part of this study. It revealed that there are twice the chances that individuals who were combating depression and were battling mental health conditions have used e-cigarettes in the past. In addition, they also have three times the possibility of using vape devices or simply vaping compared to those without any mental health issues.
While the FDA has not yet approved the consumption of e-cigarettes as a mechanism to quit smoking, individuals are likely to believe that a shot at e-cigarettes in the future can help them stop.
Let us consider one more study to understand the impact of vaping on our mental health. In a study published in the reputed Jama Network Open and reported on the Medical News Today website, several links are visible between the consumption of e-cigarettes and mental health. It is twice more likely that people who battle with clinical depression might have consumed e-cigarettes in the past.
The study used individuals belonging to the age group 18-25 to conduct this study. The choice of this particular age group stands valid as the harmful effects of vaping and consuming cigarettes adversely affect the youth, and this age group is most known to use these products in epidemic and excessive proportions. In addition, it is imperative to note that youngsters are much more open to trying new products/developments in the market and experimenting with new things.
Overall, the study also highlights that nicotine consumption can be extremely harmful to children and youngsters.
Conclusion
Through this blog, we have listed how the consumption of e-cigarettes can be harmful to an individual. The argument is valid both in terms of our bodily and mental health. Undoubtedly, several studies back this idea.
As we noted in the research above, several vape devices (especially the low-quality ones) can result in more nicotine consumption than tobacco cigarettes. If this happens, the purpose you might have in mind to quit smoking becomes impractical and redundant. Therefore, choosing the best vape devices is essential when you are a vaping newbie. So, know your purpose for vaping product choice, and then make an informed decision.
We hope this blog helped you surf your interest in vaping further and presented relevant details about the impacts of vaping and the consumption of e-cigarettes on your mental health.
