Is Vaping Bad For Your Health?

Many people involved in the vaping debate have asked the question, and there have been many differing answers. Whilst we know that smoking is 98 percent less healthy than vaping, there is still a lot of research to be done into the health effects of vaping. So, before you start down to your UK vapor shop, it might be a good idea to have a look at what we do know about vaping and its effects on your health.

Vaping and nicotine

Nicotine is one of the main ingredients of e liquid which makes it such an effective smoking cessation tool. As the linking factor between vaping and smoking, nicotine is well known as being one of the most addictive substances used by mammals. For this reason, it’s always wise to ensure that you do not use nicotine when pregnant, as this can affect the child.

Deriving from the nightshade family of plants, nicotine is unique in that it can act as both a depressant and a stimulant. This makes it dangerous in large quantities.

In higher doses, nicotine has been known to cause overdoses and even poisoning. Those who work with tobacco plants often have to be careful not touch the most nicotine concentrated parts of the plants in case of its causing of rashes on the skin.

Does nicotine cause cancer?

Whilst there is not enough research to show whether nicotine is carcinogenic, there is evidence to suggest that it can encourage the growth of tumors in pancreatic, mouth and lung variations. Again, there is not enough evidence to verify this, and again the elevated risk would be nowhere near that of smoking tobacco.

Vasoconstriction 

One problem with nicotine that has caused concern is the very fact that it is a stimulant. In increasing the heart rate, nicotine has been associated with vasoconstriction. This is the narrowing of the veins and arteries, temporarily but immediately after ingesting nicotine, making it more difficult for blood to pump through the body in the areas where it’s been used. This can lead to discolouration of the gums and if you suffer from heart conditions, can worsen the symptoms.

Diacetyl

An ingredient in vape juice which has caused concern in anti vapers is the use of diacetyl in some vape juices. Whilst it is not used by premium vape juice brands, diacetyl is a preservative which has been known to be used in some buttery flavourings. It’s also been linked to a condition called bronchiolitis, or popcorn lung. This is a degenerative lung disease which can be triggered by prolonged contact with diacetyl.

However, evidence and reports suggest that popcorn lung is only seen in those who have had prolonged contact to diacetyl, meaning factory workers who handle the product, rather than the small levels in which it was present in some vape flavours. Luckily, diacetyl is no longer used by most respectable vape companies, and even if it was, you’d have little to fear!