While many see vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, emerging research reveals alarming truths about its hidden dangers to brain health that could change the way we think about this trendy habit. Especially now that vaping is more common for younger minds it is important to take into account how vaping can essentially kill your brain. Vapes contain high amounts of Nicotine, and Propylene Glycol. When inhaling Nicotine, the chemical releases fast acting dopamine in your brain which gives you that buzz feeling, but because the buzz is so fast it makes you want more and more which turns into addiction. Along with nicotine various human and animal studies have shown that high doses of Propylene Glycol can lead to Central Nervous System (CNS) problems. Side effects of CNS can include memory loss, seizures, lack of coordination, mental impairment, etc. Now that vaping has become trendy with developing minds scientists have learned that vaping these harmful chemicals can do
major damage on developing brains.
From the high-achieving professional to the seemingly carefree college student, addiction knows no boundaries and affects a diverse range of individuals in ways that challenge our understanding of who can fall victim to its grip. How can addiction be so extreme for an individual but then have no effect on another? Studies have found that those who live with mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder or depression, are more likely to partake in substance abuse, which puts them at a higher risk of developing an addiction. Another possible cause for the addiction gene as researchers have pointed out is according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the risk of addiction increases for those who have parents who are alcoholics or drug addicts. It has been found that the children of addicts are 45% to 79% more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol compared to the general population. A common misconception is that drug and alcohol abusers are those who are less educated. However that is a false accusation, many addicts are lawyers, doctors, and other highly educated individuals who take out their stress and isolation with substances. Some studies also believe that children who have higher IQ’s are more likely to use psychoactive drugs such as marijuana, heroin and cocaine in their later years.
