E-cigarettes heat a liquid solution to create an aerosol that a user inhales. The aerosol can contain nicotine, but also can be free of it and other toxicants.
Vaping is becoming increasingly popular among teens. It is marketed as a safer alternative to smoking. However, experts are still concerned about its long-term health effects.
Stress Reliever
Many youth choose to vape for a variety of reasons: appealing flavors; to appear “cool”, rebellious, or mature; curiosity; peer pressure; and stress relief. In fact, according to a 2021 survey by Truth Initiative, 81% of youth who use e-cigarettes started vaping to decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression and continue to vape as a way to reduce those emotions.
Nicotine stimulates and desensitizes nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, altering how the brain responds to stress. This means that when teens vape, they are experiencing a vicious cycle of temporary relief followed by withdrawal symptoms that escalate their stress levels even more.
The good news is that there are effective ways to combat stress and anxiety without a harmful habit like vaping. Getting a massage, listening to soothing music, or taking a hot bath are all excellent methods of reducing stress and promoting relaxation in the body. But the question remains: can vape really be a stress reliever?
Nicotine Addiction
Vaping is the act of using an e-cigarette, vape pen or similar device to inhale and exhale a solution called e-liquid. It contains a combination of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavorings and nicotine. It has become one of the most popular substance use trends for teens, many of whom are former smokers. Others are non-smokers taking up the habit for peer pressure, to relieve boredom or stress or as a means to avoid smoking cigarettes which can cause disease and premature death.
When a teen inhales vapor containing nicotine, it gets absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain in about 10 seconds where it fits lock-and-key into receptors that normally accept the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine plays an important role in muscle contraction, memory and cognition.
Like any drug of abuse, nicotine hijacks the brain’s reward system and leads to dependence and addiction. Removing triggers and replacing vaping with positive activities can help reduce cravings. Encourage your teen to embrace hobbies, join a club or get involved in community service.
E-Liquid Flavors
There are a wide variety of flavors for vape juice. Many are inspired by common fruits, drinks, desserts, and tobacco. Others are more adventurous, offering flavors like savory meals such as cereal and french toast.
Fruit flavours are perhaps the most popular choice. They are available in many different varieties, from strawberries to blueberries and melon. Some vapers also enjoy the subtler flavours of blackcurrant, lychee and dragon fruit. It is also possible to find e-liquids that blend several different fruity flavours into one heavenly vape.
It is important to use a clean syringe when mixing multiple flavours. If you’re not careful, over-flavoring can leave unpleasant tastes in your e-liquid. In addition, overdoing it can lead to the vape liquid burning. It is best to start with a small amount of each flavour and work your way up until you get the desired flavor. Then, you can add more as needed.
Vaping Devices
Vaping devices (also known as ENDS, electronic nicotine delivery systems) use a battery to heat liquid into an aerosol that users inhale. This vapor usually contains Nicotine, an addictive drug, but also can contain other unhealthy chemicals like formaldehyde, diacetyl and acrolein, which can cause respiratory irritation and lung damage.
The e-liquid, or “vape juice,” in these products also often includes other additives such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin base, flavorings and chemicals, including those that can be harmful when heated. Studies have found that even e-liquids that are labeled as nicotine-free still contain trace amounts of Nicotine and can lead to addiction.
Often, young people who start vaping do so because of the perception that these devices are safer than regular cigarettes. Many are also attracted to the sweet flavors that are popular among youth. If your child is using a device that doesn’t have an on/off switch, check for a reset button or USB port.