There are current discussions in the government about whether or not to ban vaping. Vaping has been around for a decade thought to help cigarette smokers quit. By knowing about the true nature of vaping, you will understand the dangers it can do to your body and the potential to develop an addiction to it.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is when you smoke e-cigarettes with some of them containing THC, a chemical found in marijuana to make users high. While vaping used to be considered safer than smoking, the American Lung Association says that vaping is not safer or helps to quit cigarettes. Some may still be smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes, but vape in places where smoking is not allowed, like a restaurant. Vaping can actually serve as a gateway to smoking in that you feel if you can handle e-cigarettes, there is no reason why cigarettes filled with nicotine would be any different.
What Are the Risks of Vaping?
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine did studies that proved e-cigarettes contain toxic substances that irritate the lungs and cause a number of health issues. The University of North Carolina says that the more ingredients in an e-cigarette, the more toxic it can be. Liquid nicotine has also been linked to seizures, especially when the e-cigarette has high concentrations of nicotine.
Is Vaping Addictive?
Nicotine is the highly-addictive ingredient contained in e-cigarettes. You can even suffer from withdrawal cravings if you ignore your cravings. Many people think that vaping is inhaling less nicotine than an actual cigarette. The truth is that e-cigarettes either have the same or more nicotine than a traditional cigarette which can still increase your chances of developing an addiction. Nicotine is also toxic where it can lower your blood pressure, cause your heart to beat faster, and increase your risks of having a heart attack.
What is Still Unknown About Vaping?
Scientists are still trying to determine what can happen to your body after vaping for a long time since vaping is still relatively new. Researchers are also concerned that long-term vaping can lead to “popcorn lung” which is a lung disease caused by the chemical diacetyl. Diacetyl was used to enhance the flavor of popcorn until factory workers developed popcorn lung as a result of it. Staying away from vaping will help prevent your body from harmful chemicals as well as addiction.
Located in Georgetown, Texas, Alma Loma is a transformative living center to help those struggling in early recovery to transition out of our Psychiatric and Substance Abuse residential center. Alma Loma believes that addiction is born from an untreated mental illness in which our facility is willing to help you. Our facility offers residency, medication management education, individualized treatment, life skills education, 12-Step support, and more tools to bring patients the confidence to be able to live an independent life. For more information, please call us at 866-457-3843.
