Recent Research on E-Cig Use
Numerous studies have hinted at the possible risks of vaping in recent years, but a landmark study just published uncovered evidence that vaping can be just as harmful to your heart as smoking regular cigarettes. The assertion that e-cigarettes are “safer” than conventional cigarettes—a claim typically made by those who support vaping as a method for quitting smoking—is seriously called into question by these findings.
395 participants in the Cardiac and Lung E-Cig Smoking Study (CLUES) were under observation (164 long-term e-cigarette users, 117 long-term cigarette users, and 114 people who do not vape or smoke). Regular vape users, however, had lower heart rate variability measurements, a constricted brachial artery (the main blood vessel that feeds blood to the arms and hands), and were at higher risk of cardiovascular illness than those who only sometimes used e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes.
Participants underwent an exercise stress test as well, and those who smoked or vaped fared much worse on every metric. The individuals’ heart rates recovered from exercise more slowly and had to work more at peak levels than non-smokers.
Long-Term Effects Of Vaping On Health
While numerous earlier research have shown the additional harm that vaping can do, these more recent studies emphasise the direct effect it has on the heart. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, vaping can seriously harm the lungs. 2,800 e-cigarette users needed hospital admission owing to e-cigarette product use-associated lung damage (EVALI) as of February 2020, according to the CDC, and 68 of these cases ended in fatalities.
Furthermore, a number of studies have found alarming connections between nicotine, e-cigarette usage, and mental health. A 2019 JAMA study found that compared to non-Nicotine users, current e-cigarette users have double the likelihood of being diagnosed with depression. According to results of another study, regular e-cigarette usage is linked to increased levels of depressed and ADHD symptoms. Additionally, using nicotine is linked to more severe sensations of anxiety. Overall, numerous research conducted over the past few years have offered quantitative information on the detrimental consequences of vaping on people’s mental, pulmonary, and cardiovascular health.
Vaping: How Compulsive Is It?
8.1 million Americans presently use e-cigarettes, which contain the extremely addictive chemical nicotine, according to the CDC. Many people who use nicotine products develop a physical dependence, which incorporates both physiological and psychological elements and makes quitting difficult. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure, motivation, and learning, is released by the brain minutes after inhaling nicotine vapour from an e-cigarette. The brain develops a craving for the sensation brought on by the release of dopamine over time, which encourages continued use of the drug and may eventually result in addiction.
Because nicotine use is so common in the US, it can be challenging to identify when it has turned into an addiction. Among the warning indicators of nicotine addiction are:
Symptoms of withdrawal when one stops using nicotine
Possibility of quitting using nicotine products
an intent to continue using nicotine products despite negative effects
To feel “satisfied,” more nicotine is needed
having strong urges to smoke and cravings for tobacco.
Who Is Most Affected By Vaping’s Negative Health Effects?
While vaping can have negative health effects on everybody, some areas are more at risk than others. For instance, using e-cigarettes or any other product containing nicotine while pregnant is highly risky for the unborn child. Nicotine can harm a baby’s growing brain and lungs in addition to exposing the mother and kid to hazardous substances.
It’s difficult to avoid using the word “epidemic” when referring to the use of e-cigarettes by young people, with over 2 million middle and high school students using them everyday. Because their bodies and brains are still developing, teenagers are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of vaping. Nicotine can impair a young person’s memory and concentration, change the way their brain develops, and make it harder for them to rein in their urges. Additionally, compared to their classmates who have never smoked, kids who vape are three times more likely to start smoking cigarettes.
Giving up e-cigarettes
Before quitting sticks, it’s typical for people who use nicotine products, such as chewing tobacco, traditional cigarettes, and e-cigarettes, to try several times. Multiple failed attempts to stop using e-cigarettes may leave one feeling discouraged, yet recovery is achievable and can enhance one’s quality of life. Treatment is accessible, and quitting nicotine products can directly lower health risks connected with usage and improve mental health symptoms.
Many people find that therapy is an effective strategy for quitting smoking. A qualified therapist can assist with goal-setting and provide quitting assistance. To begin going, request to be paired with a therapist today.
Ref: https://www.addictioncenter.com/news/2022/11/health-impacts-vaping/
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