Choosing to quit vaping offers a path to enhanced well-being, reduced health risks, and the chance to embrace an addiction-free life.
Quitting vaping is a positive decision with numerous benefits. It not only saves you money and improves your health but also frees you from addiction, ultimately offering you a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Here are some of the specific physical and mental health benefits of quitting vaping.
Quitting vaping can improve lung health. When you quit, you reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and irritants in e-cigarette aerosols, which can irritate and damage your lungs.
One study looked at the link between e-cigarette use and respiratory diseases compared with traditional tobacco products.
Researchers found that both current and former e-cigarettes users were more likely to develop respiratory diseases compared with those who did not use e-cigarettes or traditional tobacco.
Furthermore, those who smoked both e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco had the highest chance of respiratory diseases.
Quitting vaping can have several cardiovascular benefits, such as improving the function of the inner lining of your blood vessels (endothelial function). This leads to better blood vessel health, improved blood flow, and a lower chance of heart-related issues.
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The researchers found that both e-cigarette users and smokers had reduced blood vessel function than non-users. E-cigarette users and smokers also had lower levels of nitric oxide (NO), which is critical for endothelial cell health.
Vaping specifically increased the leakiness of small blood vessels called microvascular endothelial cells. It also had effects on oxidative stress that were different from traditional smoking, indicating potential harm to blood vessel function.
Quitting vaping, whether this be nicotine-based products or THC, may improve mood and mental well-being. Quitting may also help you develop healthier coping strategies and reduce the temptation to manage mental health challenges through vaping.
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Notably, dual users were at higher risk and had stronger addiction tendencies. The study suggests the importance of addressing the use of nicotine and THC vapes, building resilience and coping skills, and increasing awareness about the risks of vaping among young people.
Vaping, much like smoking, has been linked to self-reported cognitive complaints in adults.
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It found that dual users (using both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes) and current e-cigarette users had a significantly higher association with cognitive complaints compared to those who had never used these products.
Current smokers and ex-smokers also showed a stronger link with thinking problems than those who had never smoked. However, ex-smokers had a lower association with thinking problems than current smokers.
This suggests that vaping, similar to smoking, may have potential cognitive health effects.
Quitting vaping may be beneficial for oral health because it helps avoid the disruption of the oral microbiome associated with e-cigarette use, which can lead to periodontal issues and oral health challenges.
In a 6–month study involving e-cigarette users, conventional cigarette smokers, and nonsmokers, researchers found that e-cigarette use led to a unique oral microbiome that resembled that of conventional smokers in some aspects.
The different communities of mouth bacteria caused specific reactions in the body, indicating potential risks linked to e-cigarette use. It also influenced the health of the gums and other mouth tissues, showing that e-cigarette users experienced changes in their oral health.
Quitting vaping can benefit your skin in several ways:
- Improved hydration: Nicotine that is present in many vape products narrows blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin and potentially drying it out.
- Enhanced skin healing: Nicotine can slow your body’s ability to heal. Smokers and vapers may experience slower recovery from wounds, surgeries, or skin conditions.
- Reduced premature aging: Vaping and smoking expose the skin to harmful chemicals and toxins. These toxins can break down collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to premature aging, such as wrinkles and sagging.
- Clearer complexion: Inhaling toxins from vaping may worsen skin conditions like acne or eczema.
Quitting vaping and quitting cigarettes share some similarities but also have notable differences.
Vaping, especially when using nicotine-based fluids, was initially promoted as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, primarily because it lacks the harmful tar and many of the carcinogens found in tobacco cigarettes. This has led some people to believe that quitting vaping might be less urgent.
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On the other hand, nicotine-free vaping fluids, as well as those containing cannabis or CBD, pose different challenges. While they don’t introduce nicotine, they may still contain other potentially harmful substances, and the long-term health effects of inhaling these compounds aren’t yet fully understood.
Quitting vaping can be beneficial for your health in several ways. For instance, it can improve cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of endothelial dysfunction, which affects blood vessel function. It can also promote better skin and oral health and reduce the chances of respiratory and systemic health issues associated with vaping.
If you’re thinking of quitting vaping, consider seeking support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or quitlines. Set a quit date, identify your triggers, and create a plan to manage cravings.
Remember, quitting vaping is achievable, and seeking support can greatly improve your chances of success.