The Effects of Vaping on the Body and Brain: An Overview
Though initially designed to help ease smokers off of traditional cigarettes, currently, vapes and e-cigarettes are predominantly used by teens and youth with no prior cigarette use. Unfortunately, these devices can have harmful long-term health effects on the brain and body, especially for younger users.
When a user “hits” or inhales from a vape, they are breathing in a liquid aerosol made up of several chemicals dissolved in propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerine (VG). While PG and VG are safe to use in food preparation, their safety when inhaled is not entirely known because e-cigarettes are a relatively recent development. Early studies suggest that PG may cause irritation in the mouth and nose when inhaled. In addition to the liquid solvents PG/VG, vapes contain several other substances known to be harmful. One of the chemical compounds present in 99% of e-cigarettes is nicotine. Nicotine comes from tobacco plants and is extremely addictive, especially for younger users. Another substance found in some vapes is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound that comes from marijuana. Since THC is not legal in all states, many THC-containing vapes are purchased from non-regulated “street” sources. Such vapes often contain other chemicals and metals that can be extremely dangerous to users.
Certain chemicals in vapes act on a longer timescale and may cause long-term health issues. When nicotine-containing products are inhaled, clusters of nerves are stimulated, leading to contraction of the bronchus, the airway leading into the lungs. Over time, constant nicotine use is associated with airway obstruction, or reduced ability to get air into the lungs. One common condition among vapers is bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), otherwise known as “popcorn lung,” whereby inflammation and scarring of the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs, leads to symptoms like frequent coughing and shortness of breath. Though it has not been conclusively shown that vaping causes BO, certain chemicals present in e-cigarettes are strongly linked to the condition.
When a user “hits” or inhales from a vape, they are breathing in a liquid aerosol made up of several chemicals dissolved in propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerine (VG). While PG and VG are safe to use in food preparation, their safety when inhaled is not entirely known because e-cigarettes are a relatively recent development. Early studies suggest that PG may cause irritation in the mouth and nose when inhaled. In addition to the liquid solvents PG/VG, vapes contain several other substances known to be harmful. One of the chemical compounds present in 99% of e-cigarettes is nicotine. Nicotine comes from tobacco plants and is extremely addictive, especially for younger users. Another substance found in some vapes is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound that comes from marijuana. Since THC is not legal in all states, many THC-containing vapes are purchased from non-regulated “street” sources. Such vapes often contain other chemicals and metals that can be extremely dangerous to users.
Certain chemicals in vapes act on a longer timescale and may cause long-term health issues. When nicotine-containing products are inhaled, clusters of nerves are stimulated, leading to contraction of the bronchus, the airway leading into the lungs. Over time, constant nicotine use is associated with airway obstruction, or reduced ability to get air into the lungs. One common condition among vapers is bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), otherwise known as “popcorn lung,” whereby inflammation and scarring of the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs, leads to symptoms like frequent coughing and shortness of breath. Though it has not been conclusively shown that vaping causes BO, certain chemicals present in e-cigarettes are strongly linked to the condition.
The aerosol that e-cigarette users breathe in contains a mixture of chemicals associated with various serious health impacts, including long-term effects on respiration and brain function.
Image Source: sarahjohnson1
Another study reviewing e-cigarette vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) found that dyspnoea (shortness of breath), frequent coughing, and chest pain were especially common among vapers. Samples from EVALI patients’ lungs were also found to have high levels of vitamin E acetate, and later investigation found that most vaping devices did too. Vitamin E acetate is thought to affect the ability of cells in the lungs to maintain tension, which can result in long-term breathing problems; later reports strongly suggest that this substance causes EVALI and its related symptoms.
In addition to having harmful effects on the body, frequent vaping may cause cognitive or brain impairment over time. Because inhaling nicotine releases dopamine in the brain and may bring a feeling of “buzz” or “high,” vaping activates the brain’s reward system. This reward system is hyperactive in young people as their brains are still developing, thus making younger vapers more prone to addiction. Furthermore, nicotine is broken down by the body very quickly compared to other drugs, meaning nicotine-related highs are short-lived. As such, users have very strong cravings. Beyond this nicotine dependence, studies suggest that vaping among young adults may decrease attention span, worsen sleep quality, and increase impulsive behavior over time. Even more concerning, frequent e-cigarette use has been linked to increased depression and suicidal thoughts in many young people.
With an estimated 2.06 million e-cigarette users under the age of 18 in the United States, studying the long-term effects of vaping on developing bodies remains a prominent research interest. Even considering the long list of dangerous side effects already uncovered, the most severe effects may still be unknown.
In addition to having harmful effects on the body, frequent vaping may cause cognitive or brain impairment over time. Because inhaling nicotine releases dopamine in the brain and may bring a feeling of “buzz” or “high,” vaping activates the brain’s reward system. This reward system is hyperactive in young people as their brains are still developing, thus making younger vapers more prone to addiction. Furthermore, nicotine is broken down by the body very quickly compared to other drugs, meaning nicotine-related highs are short-lived. As such, users have very strong cravings. Beyond this nicotine dependence, studies suggest that vaping among young adults may decrease attention span, worsen sleep quality, and increase impulsive behavior over time. Even more concerning, frequent e-cigarette use has been linked to increased depression and suicidal thoughts in many young people.
With an estimated 2.06 million e-cigarette users under the age of 18 in the United States, studying the long-term effects of vaping on developing bodies remains a prominent research interest. Even considering the long list of dangerous side effects already uncovered, the most severe effects may still be unknown.
Featured Image Source: rolandmey
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