The Effects of Smoking and Vaping
Over the past few years, there has been a drastic rise in college students who vape and smoke.
Short term effects
Smoking and Vaping have various short-term side effects that influence both the brain and the lungs. Quickly after the nicotine exposure, it is absorbed by the adrenal glands leading to the release of more adrenaline which causes a buzz. This buzz and rush of adrenaline cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. All of these factors can lead to headaches, rapid mood changes, sleep disorders, and even vomiting. Like many other drugs, the nicotine absorbed from smoking and vaping activates reward pathways in the brain that reinforce the pleasure and satisfaction of doing it.
Long term effects
Oftentimes, we are so caught up in the moment that we forget about the long-term consequences of our actions. This especially rings true when it comes to smoking and vaping. High nicotine e-cigarettes have been worsening the exposure to nicotine. This high exposure to nicotine is harming brain cell development and causing a change in brain chemistry leading to adolescents and young adults being more susceptible to addiction with other drugs. Recent investigations have also linked vaping to the cause of seizures. Other long-term effects of smoking and vaping can include increased risk of stroke, triggering asthma, myeloid cancer, lower infertility, and eye cataracts. Some research has concluded that the flavors in vapes and e-cigarettes promote bacterial growth on teeth, resulting in the development of cavities. Research has also suggested that smoking and vaping causes gum inflammation.
Smoking nicotine-free
It has often been believed that smoking nicotine-free e-cigarettes cause little to no harm to your body. Studies have shown that e-cigarettes have other chemicals that can be extremely toxic when heated and can even cause cancer. Nicotine-free juice has also been shown to cause inflammation and trigger an inflammatory immune response from white blood cells. Studies have suggested that nicotine-free juice causes damage to heart cells. When heart cells are damaged, it can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
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