You asked, we answered: Why is vaping bad for your brain, and can it improve if you stop vaping?
Question:
Hello,
Answered by medical toxicologist Anthony J. Scalzo, MD, FACMT, FAAP, FAACT, AAN:
The brain has an amazing ability to
Daily vaping alters inflammatory states across multiple organs, including the brain. When heated, the e-liquid, which usually contains propylene glycol, glycerol, nicotine and chemical flavoring, turns into an aerosol. This aerosol contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, chromium, lead and nickel, exposing the lungs to toxic metal particles and other cancer-causing ingredients.
Moreover, most e-cigarette pods contain higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes. Research shows that nicotine impacts brain function, attention and memory. The concentrated level in e-cigarettes creates greater nicotine dependence, especially in children and adolescents, whose brains are already vulnerable to addiction.
Even more concerning is that other substances can be used with e-cigarettes – marijuana, hash oil, opiates
I personally saw a 16-year-old girl who vaped regularly and had a seizure. We couldn’t identify any other cause for her seizure other than the fact that she had high nicotine levels in her body and vaped regularly. She stopped vaping for a while but started again and had another seizure.
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. In my opinion, there is nothing positive about vaping.
If you suspect your child is vaping and are worried about how it could impact their health, schedule an appointment with one of our primary care specialists. We're here to help. Call 800.922.0000.