Is Vaping Bad for You?

In this article, you’ll learn and discover if vaping is bad for you and if it poses health risks.

Innovations and advancements in today’s world are evident in most if not all, aspects of life. So it doesn’t come as a surprise when new products change the way people consume alcohol or smoke. As an alternative, vaping rose to popularity due to the belief that it poses lesser health threats than traditional tobacco and nicotine-induced cigarette smoking. Vaping, however, still does pose health risks as found in multiple recent studies. Here’s a list of how vaping causes health risks.

1. Increased Risk of Heart Disease

E-liquid aerosols needed for vaping often contain high levels of particulates, oxidizing agents, aldehydes and nicotine. All of which affect the heart and the circulatory system when inhaled. Vaping raises blood pressure and spikes adrenaline, both of which increase heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.

Multiple studies dating back from 2017 up to today found that there is a significant association between e-cigarette use and the risk of heart disease. People who do vape are at a higher risk of acquiring different heart diseases such as stroke, angina, and heart attack, among many other heart diseases. Even so, vaping is still thought to cause less harm than cigarette smoking.

2. Possible Effects on the Lungs

In a study conducted last 2015, toxicity, oxidation, and inflammation are only some of the effects of e-juices on the lungs and lung cells of mice. Although these results cannot be generalized to conclude that the same effects would be evident in humans, vaping does disrupt normal lung function. In the United States alone, about 200 e-cigarette users have already developed severe lung diseases, and the number continues to increase.

No study has yet been conducted to ascertain that e-cigarette use is responsible for this increasing number of people with lung disease. Even so, experts believe that contaminants found in the inhaled vapors may be the cause since they can instigate chemical irritation as well as allergic or immune reactions. The most common flavors of e-juices have diacetyl that can cause “popcorn lung” when turned to vapor and inhaled. “Popcorn lung” can result in irreversible damage or worse death.

3. Negative Effects on Oral Health

Persistent exposure to e-cigarette aerosol can be unpleasant for the teeth. E-juices make teeth surfaces more susceptible to bacteria development and at the same time, increase the risk of cavities. Vaping is also found to be associated with gum inflammation and can cause gum, mouth, and throat irritation. Gum inflammation is a well-investigated factor in the development of periodontal diseases. Also, oral cells and tissues are at risk of being damaged due to vaping.

Improper maintenance of the e-cigarette itself can also lead to the development of canker sores and mouth ulcers. Vapors from the e-cigarette can also inhibit the process that lets the body repair itself. Vaping can prolong the healing process of ulcers and other open cuts in the mouth. 

4. Throat Irritation

E-juices also contain propylene glycol or PG. PG acts similarly to a sponge and sucks up moisture. Dryness irritates both the throat and the mouth. Persistent exposure to PG itself can also lead to throat irritation and sore throat. Similar to PG, diacetyl is also another compound found in e-juices that causes throat irritation. 

5. Effects on the Stomach

One of the probable reasons as to why vaping gained popularity is because users have full control over what their e-cigarette aerosol would contain. Some can opt for nicotine-induced e-juices that some times have higher concentration as compared to regular cigarettes. Nicotine in low doses can lead to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Although seemingly unlikely, nicotine in small doses can also cause eye irritation. 

6. Effects on Vision

Similar to the effects of vaping to the stomach, adverse effects on the eyes are also derived from e-juices. Different chemicals that are known to irritate the eyes make up e-juices. 

Vapors from diacetyl and other flavor additives carry with them the risk of oxidation and inflammation that can be detrimental to the eyes. Oxidative damage can worsen already serious eye problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Another by-product of e-cigarettes is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a proven eye irritant that causes burning sensations and the watering of the eyes. Check out TTDEYE for more eye care tips!

7. Effects on the Brain

Vaping is extremely popular among teens. In particular vape pens such as Juul pose even more significant threats. Such devices can carry potent amounts of nicotine. Teens’ brains are still developing and at this stage, are more sensitive to substances such as nicotine. Nicotine in high levels affects the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain plays a significant role in emotional control, decision making, and impulse regulation. 

Changes in the prefrontal cortex can cause reduced efficiency in task performance, especially those related to memory and attention. Brain changes such as this are also linked to higher sensitivity to other drugs. 

8. Effects on Fetal Development During Pregnancy

Vaping is more common in pregnant women compared to those who aren’t. Pregnant women wrongly think that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. However, vaping actually poses the same risks from nicotine exposure to the babies’ brain and lung development. Nicotine exposure can also increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. At the same time, in instances where nicotine passes through the placenta, it can lead to low birth weight and preterm birth. Other e-juice components can also cause harm to the development of the unborn child. 

Determining the effects of cigarette smoking took a very long time. Surely ample time will also be necessary for finding out the health risks that vaping poses. Purposive advertising of e-cigarette as a less harmful alternative to smoking also misguides people into believing that vaping doesn’t pose health risks. The truth is vaping does pose health threats, whether is it higher or not is still up to research. But for now, it is best to be mindful of what goes into your e-cigarettes. Learn about the chemicals that make up the e-juices and the harmful effects it can bring.