The Science Behind Vaping and Its Impact on Mood

Did you know that vaping has a link to your mental well-being? If not, this article will reveal the science behind vaping and how it impacts your mood. While vaping is famous for inhaling and enjoying vaporizers, you must know which devices are available in the market. You can choose from e-cigarettes, pods, vaping pens, tank systems, and electronic nicotine delivery systems. These devices use heating elements to atomize the flavored concentrate such as cannabidiol (CBD) and others.

Is Vaping Gaining Popularity?

E-cigarettes are gaining popularity among teenaged and young adults. According to a recent report, more than 19% of high school pupils and almost 4.7% of middle school children vape at the moment. Some have also agreed to have been using it daily. However, some flavors were hazardous to health when heated and inhaled.   

Why has vaping become so common? One of the top reasons vaping is becoming popular is social or peer pressure. Moreover, the increased use of social media, influencing marketing strategies and deception misleads young people.

Else, vaping is considered a safe alternative to smoking. Hence, smoking lovers can enjoy vaping without compromising their motivation. However, the reality suggests that vaporizers (used in vaping) are not completely harmless. In fact, they feature possibly damaging substances such as heavy metals, which may get into your respiratory tract and cause lung damage.

How Does Vaping Impact Mental Well-Being?

If you are a smoker, then you might know that nicotine majorly impacts your physical and mental well-being. However, the influence on psychological health has been dominated by physical health problems. Some sources have confirmed that nicotine content in vaporizers is much greater than in cigarettes. An example is the Juul pod which comprise as much nicotine as a full pack of cigarette.

Studies have endorsed that vaping is associated with causing many psychological issues in young people. However, if your concentration comprises of nicotine it may cause recklessness, mood swings, tension, stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts. As nicotine is highly addictive and can have a major impact on the brain, it can cause long-term health damage.

If you have observed that some people engage in vaping to cope with psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and other conditions. In fact, it can possibly exacerbate the present mental issues. The reason is that nicotine in concentrate disturbs the cerebral dopamine pathway and aggravates depression symptoms. Moreover, you may also become more sensitive to stress, as it modifies the coping mechanism in your mind. As a result, you may experience more symptoms when you come in contact with nicotine.

How to Prevent?

If you plan to quit smoking cigarettes, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. In this case, you should consult a medical doctor who might be able to guide you. On the contrary, you may switch to e-cigarettes, however, you must consult your general physician before taking the decision. However, if you try nicotine replacement therapy, and communicative treatments, it can majorly help you to successfully deal with withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, you can also explore evidence-based prevention programs that with apprise you about the downsides of vaping. If you have successfully been able to side-step any kind of smoking, you can save your health from many hazardous illnesses, and be a healthy member of society.

Does Vaping Cause Depression and Anxiety?

It is a known fact that nicotine damages young minds, and it may make adolescents more vulnerable to addiction. However, some studies show that there is no direct link between the use of nicotine in causing psychological issues, however, if you use e-cigarettes, you are more likely to be a depression patient.  

JAMA research conducted in 2019 surveyed 30,000 e-cig users (aged 18+), and the results suggested that frequent vaping is linked to increasing the possibility of causing depression by 2.4 times. The study also revealed that present e-cig users were 1.6 times and prior users were 1.5 times more likely to suffer from mental health problems.

A study published in 2017 engaged 2500 high school pupils who had never formerly used e-cigs or combustible tobacco in LA, USA compared to the ones who used e-cigs at a higher frequency suffered more depressive symptoms. This also included mood swings such as a feeling of sadness and crying.

Can Vaping Trigger Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Research conducted in 2019 revealed that US college pupils discovered that vaping can cause ADHD symptoms. And nicotine addiction is the main cause of higher anxiety levels. Hence, no matter what age group you belong to you must try to avoid vaping or smoking habit. You can get rid of nicotine addiction when you quit vaping. Therefore, it is likely to improve your overall health and mental comfort. According to a 2014 meta-analysis, quitting smoking can help reduce anxiety levels, depressive disorders, mental stress, and overall quality of life.

How Does Vaping Affect Your Health?

While we have been discussing how vaping affects mood and mental wellness. There are other health risks also associated with vaping. If you have been using e-cigs regularly you are likely to develop a nicotine addiction which may worsen your mental health. You will suffer from memory loss, poor concentration, lack of self-control, and attention deficit. Moreover, if you are a male, vaping can cause sexual dysfunction. You may also suffer from sleep issues, and are more prone to cancer. Some people may develop chronic bronchitis or life-long lung damage.

How Can Quit Help?

You would agree that health is the most prized gift from God. Hence, you must take care of yourself. When you quit vaping, you will feel free from addiction. As nicotine affects brain development, you will be able to enjoy a good mood, and happy life (with full of energy). You will be saved from the harm caused by tobacco, and toxins that can damage your overall health and well-being.