If you've found yourself walking around in a mental fog lately, it may be time to put down the vape pen. A new study just released by the University of Rochester Medical Center finds compelling evidence of an association between vaping and mental fog (memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and indecision).
' Both teens and adults who vape regularly are more likely to have symptoms described as “brain fog,” – like difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions – than people who do not, according to two new analyses conducted at the University of Rochester in New York.
Foggy brain is just one of the many symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and it's often most common in the first week or two of quitting. When you were vaping, your body was used to getting nicotine When it's no longer getting that stimulus, your body craves it and communicates that craving through withdrawal.
Vaping with or without nicotine has been shown to impact impulse control, especially in young adults whose brains have not fully developed yet. Some of these risks include mood disorders and permanent damage to parts of the brain responsible for memory, emotion and critical thinking.
Brain Risks
These risks include nicotine addiction, mood disorders, and permanent lowering of impulse control. Nicotine also changes the way synapses are formed, which can harm the parts of the brain that control attention and learning.
Brain risks: Nicotine affects your brain development. This can make it harder to learn and concentrate. Some of the brain changes are permanent and can affect your mood and ability to control your impulses as an adult.
If You've Vaped Too Much...
The most common and least serious situation is being nauseous or having a headache after vaping too much. Usually, if you stop vaping you'll feel better soon. It is key, though, to stop as soon as you feel any symptoms - if you try and power through it you'll only feel worse.
A study of more than 2,500 people ages 13-24 found that nicotine-only vapers, THC-only vapers and dual vapers (of nicotine and THC) were more likely to report anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts when compared with their peers who did not use electronic cigarettes or vape THC.
Perhaps the most common reason you may feel sick after vaping is the nicotine itself. Most of us will be familiar with the concept of a “niccy rush”. It is a light-headedness that comes from taking in a big hit of nicotine either for the first time that day, or simply if we take a bigger puff than normal.
Nicotine is a stimulant that paradoxically can increase mental alertness and have a sedative effect. For some users, it's more of one than the other. It's conceivable that if you're tired or fatigued from vaping, it could be similar to a caffeine crash.
1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.
Benefits of vaping
Vaping can help some people quit smoking. Vaping is usually cheaper than smoking. Vaping is not harmless, but it is much less harmful than smoking. Vaping is less harmful to those around you than smoking, as there's no current evidence that second-hand vapour is dangerous to others.
There is no real "normal," and the puffs per day don't matter. The acceptable daily intake for nicotine varies based on several modes of life and biological factors. Since the system to calculate nicotine intake per puff isn't an exact science, it's better to satisfy your needs.
E-cigarettes are self-regulating and you can get to puff just the right amount provided you don't make changes to the amount recommended by manufacturers. The average number of puffs per day is between 132-140 and if you are puffing more than that then it's time for you to slow down.
A smoker typically puffs on a cigarette around 10-15 times before putting it out, so let's be conservative and estimate that puffing on a vape 15 times is approximately equal to smoking one cigarette. If that's the case, then a disposable vape that delivers 600 puffs is equal to about two packs of cigarettes.
Two new studies from the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) have uncovered an association between vaping and mental fog. Both adults and kids who vape were more likely to report difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions than their non-vaping, non-smoking peers.
It's a difficult process that could take weeks or even months, and the day-to-day will be tough, but the withdrawal symptoms are temporary, and it will get easier.
Nicotine Content in E-Liquids. One reason you could be vaping more than you smoked is because you aren't using the best nicotine strength for your preferences. E-liquids come in a variety of different strengths and go up to 20 mg/ml in the UK.
Try changing your daily routine to avoid “triggers” that cause you to want to vape. It may be best to avoid certain situations in the early stages of quitting. Prepare for cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Learn about stress-reducing activities like meditation or taking a brisk walk to keep yourself busy.