Does Vaping Help with Depression? ( An Overview)
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In this article, the question, “ Does Vaping Help with Depression” will be answered along with signs and symptoms of depression, vaping, myths and facts about vaping, depression and vaping, alternative to dealing with depression, the health risk of vaping, vaping and toll on mental health and finally with some FAQs regarding the topic.
Does Vaping Help with Depression?
No, Vaping doesn’t help with depression because it rather results in:
- Increase risk of Depression
- Result in death
- Respiratory Disease or Lung Injury
- Disrupts cerebral dopamine pathway
- Affect the nervous system
- Interfere with metabolism
- Lower life expectancy
- Impacts impulse control
Vaping
It is the process of inhaling vapour from electronic or e-cigarette or any kind of vaping device of that sort. These are battery-powered cigarette and the cartridge is filled with liquid containing nicotine, flavours and other chemicals. When the liquid is heated, the vapour is inhaled by the person.
Vapes are in varied shapes and size however the basic component remains the same for all which is comprises of battery, flavour cartridge and sensor. A person who uses vape is called Vaper.
Depression
It is a mood disorder that is often called Unipolar Depression or Major Depressive Disorder. It is one of the most common and prevalent mental disorders.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), the two key symptoms of Depression are Depressed mood and the loss of pleasure and interest, Anhedonia during the same 2-week period. Apart from these two symptoms, Depressive patients also undergo other symptoms such as insomnia and hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation, loss of energy, worthlessness, diminished ability to think and concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation.
Sign and symptoms of Depression
Some of the sign and symptoms associated with Depression are:
- Depressed and Low mood
- Anhedonia
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Worthlessness and Helplessness
- Lack of concentration
- Thoughts on ending life
- Difficulty in sleep
- Irritability and Agitation
- Fluctuation in appetite
- Difficulty in decision making.
Myths about Vaping
- It helps in coping with smoking
Despite the effectiveness or efficiencies of Vaping more than other alternatives, it is not a reliable option since people who started vaping continues doing it. And through this process, they are also getting Nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Especially for teens, vaping prompt them to smoke cigarette gradually.
- It is a safer option than smoking
Vapes also contain all the harmful chemical such as acetone which irritates our eyes and skin. And the other chemical contains in the vapes results in cancer if inhaled for a prolonged time.
- The vapour of vapes are harmless
The vapour produced by vapes isn’t water vapour which is of no harm rather it is the aerosol mist that impacts our lung resulting respiratory failure heart diseases in long run.
- Vapes don’t create second-hand smoke
The health risk of people who are around cigarette snooker are dangerous and additionally, thirdhand smoke is also harmful especially for those having underlying respiratory failure. Although the smell of vapes isn’t that severe and serious like a cigarette, however, the chemical content pollutes the air as well as clings to surface that is later absorbed by our skin and lung.
- Quitting vaping is easy
A single vaping pod produce addictive nicotine similar to 20 cigarettes. Our brain is duped bt a single vape by the craving for more nicotine and desire to vape more. And since the teen brain is more susceptible to post effect of Nicotine, it is harder to quit vamping rather might escalate to cigarette smoking.
Facts about Vaping
- Vamping is little less harmful than smoking however it is not a safe option
Although E-Cigarette heats the nicotine, flavours and chemicals resulting in an aerosol that is inhaled, there is still lung injuries and death after vaping for too long. Unlike the normal cigarette composed of more than 7000 chemical of which most are toxic, vaping contains a less toxic substance.
Some vaping products contain THC, which is psychoactive and makes us high.
- Vaping is injurious for both lungs and heart
Since Nicotine is the primary agent in both cigarette and e-cigarette, it is additive. After nicotine intake, it makes an individual crave more of it failing to which will result in withdrawal symptoms.
Nicotine is a harmful toxic substance that elevates blood pressure, spike up adrenaline and increase heart rate resulting heart attack or cardiac arrest.
- It is addictive as Cigarette
Since both the cigarette contains nicotine, it is for sure addictive. And those using E-cigarette get more nicotine since extra or refill cartridge can be purchased.
- It is not the best smoking cessation option or tool.
Despite its advertisement for smoking cessation, it is not the best or approved mean to end smoking. Researchers have found that people who use an e-cigarette to stop smoking end up smoking both cigarettes and e-cigarette.
- The younger generation are hooking on Nicotine
E-cigarettes and vapes are especially prevalent and prefered choice amongst the youth. The three main reasons behind the use of vapes in youth are:
- It is assumed to be less harmful
- It cost less
- The wide range of flavour of vapes is enticing for them.
Health risk of Vaping
- Nicotine can be addictive and harm out brain and functioning
- Increased risk of cancer
- Begin smoking cigarette
- Cases of detonation and burns when recharging vapes
- Nicotine poisoning in children due to accidental exposure to liquid of e-cigarettes
- Harmful for fetus development
- Increase in heart rate
- Risk of stroke and heart attack
- Disrupts the normal functioning of lung
- Risk of cavities and irritation in gum and mouth
- Affect brain development.
- Impair our concentration, attention and learning
- Increase the risk of addiction in later life
- Irritate lung and cause damage
Vaping and effect on Mental Health
Vaping impacts our impulse control resulting in risks such as mood disorders, brain damages and our cognition. Vaping containing nicotine or without it has a tremendous effect on our mental health.
Depression and Vaping
Vaping is not the best option to help with depression rather it results in depression. Vaping increases the risk of depression as per new studies.
People who are currently using E-Cigarette or had ever used in past were on the higher continuum of depression.
More frequently an induvial vapes, there is a higher chance of suffering from depression.
E-Cigarette user was found to be more likely to report depression than the general population.they are twice more likely to be diagnosed with depression.
The correlation of Clinical Depression and E-Ciggartee is especially higher in a younger population group. It is considered as an epidemics especially in the teenager. Out of 10.8 million people in the US who used E-cigarette, 2.8 million are youth in the 18-24 age group.
Alternatives to cope with Depression than Vaping
Other than vaping, there is a more coping mechanism for depressive episodes ever experienced in a lifetime.
- Getting active and engage in physical activity
- Staying busy and occupied
- Doing something pleasurable every day
- Talking and conversing with loved ones
- Accepting the fact that life stands both up and down
- Looking out or staying alert from the signs of depression
How to Quit vaping
- Deciding why you wish to quit and then analyze the reasons.
- Ge rid of all the suppliers
- Get help from others to overcome the craving of it
- Understand and relive the withdrawal symptoms
- Use other alternatives
- Go for a walk
- Going to a place where vaping isn’t banned or not allowed
- Knowing the health effect of it.
FAQs: Does Vaping help with Depression
Can vaping help with anxiety?
Yes, Vaping does help in getting rid of anxiety and stress. It’s a preferred way in many people to get relaxed and calm after a long tiring day.
What does vaping help with?
Vaping can be with nicotine and those that don’t contain nicotine. The one containing nicotine increases our risk of heart attack and stroke, while the one without nicotine does prompt us to stop smoking tobacco thus, decreases all the health risk.
Does vaping affect mood?
Yes, since vapes contain Nicotine which is highly addictive. It affects our mood, concentration, learning, memory and attention.
Can caping cause anxiety and depression?
Yes, it does cause depression however for anxiety, it relieves anxiety symptoms in some people while cause anxiety in others.
Is it better to vape or smoke?
Yes, it is better to vape since it is less harmful however, it is still not safe.
Can you vape too much?
No, E-Cigarettes although is less harmful than a regular cigarette but cause tremendous health risk and effect in one’s life such as lung injury, respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.
What is the sign that indicates if a person is vaping?
The overt behaviour change in the individual includes increase irritability, excessive urinating since the amount of liquid intake is abnormally high, there are anxiety symptoms and mood swing.
Do you feel better after quitting Vaping?
Yes, it does. The longer one stays away from vaping, the body tends to get used to Nicotine-free and the uncomfortable withdrawal feelings fade away.
What does vaping do to one’s lung?
It was shown through researches that a chemical is known as diacetyl in vape cause disease in the air pathway of lung and also thickens our air sac resulting in inflammation.
Is smoking cheaper than vaping?
Yes, vaping is 90% cheaper than vaping.
Does vaping make you gain weight?
No, there is no direct effect of vaping on body weight although the presence of nicotine in vaping suppress our appetite.
Can you smell if a person is vaping?
Yes, some vape contains flavours thus, has a distinct smell that makes one feel nausea and vomiting while some doesn’t have a smell.
Is nicotine bad for depression?
No, nicotine stimulates the dopamine and increase the release of it in our body. Since dopamine triggers the positive feeling, people who are depression use cigarette to increase the supply of dopamine for the short term.
Does vaping make you feel good?
Yes, vapers often reported that vapes let them feel better and stop them from smelling smoke or crave for a cigarette.
Does vaping give you yellow teeth?
Yes, the nicotine present in vapes has a side effect on our teeth by discolouring it and leaving a stain on the teeth and also grinding of teeth in some cases.
Do I have to vape every day to get addicted?
No, even if a person doesn’t vape every day, there is a chance of getting addicted.
Conclusion.
In this article, the question “Does Vaping Help with Depression” is addressed, symptoms of depression, vaping and it’s a risk, alternatives to cope up with depression, methods for quitting vaping, depression and vaping and then with few FAQs related to the question asked.
Some sites for more information
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/e-cigarettes.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327305#Depression-risk-rises-with-increased-use
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/05/e-cigarettes-mental-health-vaping
Bibliography
Blaha, M. J. (2020). 5 Vaping Facts You Need to Know. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
Gordon, L. P. (2019, 9). Vaping: What You Need to Know. Kidshealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/e-cigarettes.html
Mirbolouk, M., Charkhchi, P., & Kianoush, S. (2018). Prevalence and Distribution of E-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016. PubMed.gov, 169(7), 429-438. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30167658/
Obisesan, O. H., & Mirbolouk, M. (2019). Association Between E-Cigarette Use and Depression in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016-2017. Original Investigation, 2(12).
Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch. (2020, 10 26). What is Vaping? TEXAS Health and Human Services. https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/Vaping/WhatisVaping/
Vandergriendt, C. (2020, 01 3). Is Vaping Bad for You? And 12 Other FAQs. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/is-vaping-bad-for-you
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