Question:

Hello, I’m 14 years old and vaped for a year and a half. I recently quit because I heard vaping can cause brain damage and memory loss. Is this true? If so, is it possible for my memory and brain function to improve if I never vape again, start eating better and get fresh air?

Answered by medical toxicologist Anthony J. Scalzo, MD, FACMT, FAAP, FAACT, AAN:

The brain has an amazing ability to heal itself. However, pod-based e-cigarettes haven’t been around that long, and we don’t know enough about the long-term side effects. From the little research we have, we know that vaping and e-cigarettes are not healthy alternatives to smoking.

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/opioids like fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic substances like meth, cocaine, flakka, K2 and Spice. The use of marijuana in e-cigarettes has been associated with the national outbreak of lung injury and death in youths over the past year.

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.