why vaping is bad

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Vaping is considered bad for health for several reasons:

  • Chemicals in Vaping: The chemicals associated with vaping, which are inhaled into the lungs, are harmful and can include carcinogens and other toxic substances. These can have detrimental effects on health, including poor success rates in IVF cycles, a measure closely related to egg quality 1.

  • Endothelial Cell Damage: Vaping severely impairs the function of endothelial cells, which are crucial for the health of blood vessels throughout the body and brain. This can lead to decreased cognitive capacity, increased risk of strokes, lung function issues, peripheral neuropathies, sexual dysfunction, and reproductive damage 2.

  • Negative Health Consequences: Vaping has been shown to increase the risk of certain diseases, regardless of the actual substances being vaped (tobacco or cannabis). It's detrimental to lung function and is known to carry a risk of stroke and peripheral vascular disease 3.

    Vaping and Egg Quality

    Discover the potential impact of vaping on egg quality and IVF success rates. Natalie Crawford shares insights on the chemicals associated with vaping and their effects on fertility, while Andrew Huberman highlights the distribution of responses and the importance of making informed choices for future pregnancies.

    Huberman Lab

    Dr. Natalie Crawford: Female Hormone Health, Fertility & Vitality
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  • Particulate Matter Inhalation: Just like with smoking, when vaping, you expose a large surface area of the lungs to particulate matter, which the body is very effective at absorbing. These particles can have adverse effects on one's health 4.

  • Addictive Nature: The rapid onset of dopamine release from vaping makes nicotine much more habit-forming and addictive compared to traditional cigarette smoking. This poses a large concern, especially among young people, who are engaging in vaping at significant rates 5.

  • Dopaminergic Consequences: Vaping can lead to addiction and a progressive narrowing of the sources of pleasure due to how it modulates the dopamine reward pathway. Over time, this can impair one’s entire dopamine system, leading to withdrawal symptoms and increased levels of depression when not vaping 6.

Considering these factors, it is clear that vaping poses several risks to both mental and physical health, and these dangers underscore the need for caution and, ideally, avoidance of vaping practices.

RELATED QUESTIONS

is there a good reason to vape?

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There are limited scenarios where vaping might be perceived as advantageous, particularly when viewed as a harm reduction strategy for those who are trying to quit smoking. Here are some points to consider:

  • Cessation Tool: Vaping can be used as a tool for quitting smoking, as it's believed to be less harmful than smoking cigarettes. The rapid onset of dopamine release from vaping nicotine creates a strong reward signal that may help some people shift away from tobacco use 1.

  • Dose Management: Vaping might offer smokers the ability to manage their nicotine dosage and potentially reduce it over time, which could facilitate the quitting process 2.

  • Cognitive Function: Nicotine itself, regardless of the delivery method, has been shown to enhance cognitive function in the short term, although there are significant side effects and risks associated with vaping 3.

    Vaping and Cocaine

    Andrew explains the similarities between the delivery mechanisms of cocaine and nicotine. He also highlights the rapid onset of dopamine release from vaping, which makes it more habit-forming and addictive than cigarette smoking. This explains the alarming rise of vaping among young people, which is a concerning practice given the negative long-term health effects.

    Huberman Lab

    Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping | Huberman Lab Podcast #90
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However, it's important to highlight that these potential benefits relate primarily to individuals who are already smokers and are looking for a less harmful alternative as they work on cessation. Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers due to its associated health risks and the potential for addiction 4.

Ultimately, if someone is seeking nicotine for purposes like cognitive enhancement, there may be safer methods of ingestion, such as gum or patches, especially for those whose brain development has slowed down substantially (typically around 25 years of age and older) 3. It's also essential to note that using nicotine in any form during adolescence or young adulthood is generally advised against, due to the potential for creating a dependence and impacting the development of neural circuits 3.

In summary, while there may be some scenarios where vaping could be considered as a less harmful option for smokers trying to quit, it comes with significant health concerns and potential for addiction, and is not recommended for non-smokers or young people.

RELATED QUESTIONS