Yes, research strongly links vaping to worse mental health, including increased depression and anxiety, creating a cycle where users often vape to cope with stress but nicotine actually worsens these feelings long-term, especially for developing brains. Studies show a correlation between vaping and higher rates of depressive symptoms, even suggesting nicotine can increase the likelihood of developing depression, while withdrawal can also cause temporary mood changes like sadness and irritability.
Can vaping cause depression and anxiety? According to a 2019 JAMA study of nearly 30,000 current e-cigarette users above age 18, frequent vaping is tied to even higher odds – 2.4X – of having a diagnosis of depression compared to never users.
Research has shown that nicotine increases feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. It's not a reach for scientists to say that vaping contributes to anxiety because of the nicotine content. The amount of nicotine in a vape varies, but many are packed with more nicotine than cigarettes.
90% of survey respondents felt less stressed, anxious, or depressed after quitting vaping nicotine.
EVALI may cause the following symptoms:
Improve your health
Nicotine can worsen anxiety and depression, but quitting can improve your mental health. We are still learning about all the health risks related to vaping. We do know that vaping is not safe, and short-term use has been associated with: nausea.
Vaping poses significant health risks, including addiction to nicotine, causing harm to adolescent brain development, and leading to severe respiratory issues like EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury) or popcorn lung, while also exposing users to cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxins that damage the heart, lungs, and other organs, with risks including seizures, burns, and increased anxiety.
Vape alternatives range from Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) like patches, gum, and lozenges, to nicotine-free flavored air inhalers (FÜM, Cigtrus) that satisfy oral fixation, to plant-based diffusers (ripple+), and prescription medications (Varenicline, Bupropion), offering ways to manage cravings and quit vaping with options focusing on flavor, habit replacement, or nicotine reduction. Other alternatives include heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, or adopting lifestyle changes like exercise.
But nicotine vaping could still damage your health. “Your lungs aren't meant to deal with the constant challenge of non-air that people are putting into them—sometimes as many as 200 puffs a day—day after day, week after week, year after year,” Eissenberg says.
Quitting vaping is likely similar to quitting smoking because both involve nicotine addiction and quitting may lead to withdrawal symptoms.
The safety of zero-nicotine vapes is a topic of ongoing debate and research within the scientific and medical communities. While they are generally considered to be safer than vaping products containing nicotine, it's essential to understand that they are not entirely risk-free.
Vaping has been linked to greater risk of chronic lung diseases like asthma or chronic bronchitis, as well as heart problems including heart failure, and continuing to vape after an EVALI diagnosis may cause permanent scarring in your lungs. Vaping may also lower some measures of lung function over time.
The particles you inhale while vaping can cause inflammation (swelling) and irritation in your lungs. This can lead to lung damage like scarring and narrowing of the tubes that bring air in and out of your lungs.
The drug can also cause long-term changes to your brain, affecting your memory and ability to focus and learn—which all promote addiction. Some vapes contain as much nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes. In fact, teens who vape can get addicted to the drug more quickly than if they smoked cigarettes.
Research has shown that three to six months after quitting, ex-smokers have less stress and anxiety than before they quit. People who smoke or vape have more stress because they are constantly dealing with the anxiety that nicotine cravings cause.
Vaping and your mental health
Vaping and nicotine can impact how your brain develops, affecting your memory, attention, learning and mood. Vaping can also make mental health issues like anxiety and depression worse. There is help available if you're experiencing mental health difficulties.
So, while your brain can heal, the sooner you stop vaping, the better. Of course, eating well, getting outside and exercising regularly are good for your brain health. But the main thing is that you should stop vaping immediately and indefinitely.
Recent research found that vaping may cause scarring of lung tissue, or constrictive bronchiolitis. Inhaling chemicals found in e-cigarettes may damage the lung's small airways. People who vape who develop constrictive bronchiolitis may develop symptoms like: Shortness of breath.
What are the signs and symptoms of popcorn lung?
2: Research suggests vaping is bad for your heart and lungs.
It causes you to crave a smoke and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you ignore the craving. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.
Heavy vaping can be harmful to health, so it's important to practice moderation. Vapers should aim to keep their puff count within a safe range. Studies suggest that approximately 140 puffs per day are safe for most vapers.
The good news is that the human body is resilient, and studies suggest that your lungs begin healing as soon as you stop vaping. Keep in mind that researchers don't yet know how much healing is achievable, and they believe vaping too much for too long can create permanent lung damage.
No, IGET vapes are not considered safe, with health authorities reporting serious acute illnesses (seizures, collapse) linked to them, especially in youth, due to undisclosed nicotine and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein (found in insect killer) often present, even if labeled nicotine-free, and containing lung irritants and potential carcinogens, making them a significant public health concern.
Within one week your sense of taste and smell may have improved. Within three months you will be coughing and wheezing less, your immune function and circulation to your hands and feet will be improving, and your lungs will be getting better at removing mucus, tar and dust.