The risks associated with smoking have been made clear, advertising has been banned, and warning signs placed on cigarette cartons.
But, the signs were there long before these restrictions were introduced. In 1602, one British author suggested that tobacco smoking could cause similar ailments to those found in chimney sweeps through inhaling soot.
It wasn’t until the 1940s that scientists linked smoking to cancers in humans, and in the 1950s, tests proved conclusive. What you might not know though is there might be some links between smoking, vaping and mental well-being too.
Research has shown that certain signs of mental health can improve when someone stops smoking. Quitting nicotine results in lessened symptoms of depression, and mood improvements. However, during the quitting period, smokers often struggle mentally and have feelings of anxiety.
This can lead to smokers being scared to quit in case their mental well-being suffers. This is where vaping may be of some use.
How could vaping affect your physical health?
Some studies have shown that vaping may cause an increased risk of stroke or heart attack and raise blood pressure. In comparison to cigarettes though, vape pens are largely seen as the better choice.
Anyone of legal age can visit one of the many vendors such as Dampfi Vape Shop to view the varied range of e-cigarettes and related products now. But, it is wise to understand the laws in your own country when buying online, as vaping has been banned by a number of governments.
Though online purchases are available through vape zilla or many other similar webstores, many countries have actually prohibited the sale of these devices. As health worries regarding vaping remain, some regions continue to restrict sales of vape pens. Stories have been reported about exploding vape pens and popcorn lungs.
Interestingly, Cancer Research UK has reported there is no link between vaping popcorn lung though.
What isn’t in doubt though is that smoking tobacco is harmful to you and those around you. Smoking can cause gum disease as well as much more serious illnesses including cancer.
In what ways does vaping impact mental health?
Too much nicotine consumption can cause anxiety amongst other unpleasant side effects. While nicotine doesn’t cause any mental health illnesses, it can exacerbate certain symptoms.
Also, there are links between vaping and possible brain damage. Some e-liquids can produce vapor with lead and there is a link between this and brain damage.
Vaping produces fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes, but there are still many chemicals in e-juice.
These include the following:
- Aldehydes
- Flavorings
- Volatile organic compounds
- Solvent carriers
- Metals
VOCs for instance, can cause damage to internal organs, including the liver and kidneys, and irritate the throat.
Could vaping affect mental well-being in a positive way?
If you move away from potential physical health concerns with e-cigarettes and concentrate on mental well-being, there are some interesting connections including nicotine and ADHD.
Nicotine isn’t just addictive, it is also a stimulant. It seems that many adults with ADHD are smoking due to the similar effect of nicotine to that of prescription medicine.
But, it appears that any positive effects on mood are short-term and purely temporary.
When someone lights a cigarette, they may feel more relaxed, but in reality, anyone who smokes will have higher levels of stress and anxiety, and smokers are more likely to develop depression further down the line.
Should you avoid vaping if you suffer from some mental health conditions?
It is clear that nicotine can impact the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, negatively. Therefore, anyone with mental health concerns in these areas would be better off not vaping.
There are also ongoing studies surrounding the effects of vaping on impulse control in teenagers, and youngsters whose brains are still developing. It is believed that using vape pens at a young age can see negative mental health issues later on including permanent damage to areas of the brain responsible for emotions and memory.
However, there may be ways to use vape pens in a positive way to improve various mental health symptoms.
Can vaping help improve the mental well-being of users at all?
One of the tips to avoid depression throughout life is to quit drugs, and whether you consider it to be one or not, nicotine is an addictive substance. Kicking this can improve all manner of mental health symptoms.
So, switching to vaping and using some professional support could see individuals lowering their nicotine intake, and perhaps stopping. Smoking cessation is a proven way to boost mood and reduce stress. And users can continue using vape pens with zero percent nicotine in them.
Summary
It would seem that nicotine is the biggest concern with vaping and mental well-being. It is an addictive substance, and the cravings can affect moods and emotional stability. Inhaling nicotine can give a temporary boost, but negative symptoms of depression and anxiety will return.