Vaping has become a massive movement over the past decade, and it’s pretty easy to see why: it has presented millions of people worldwide a legitimate option as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. A big as the movement has gotten, however, there has definitely been some pushback and criticism, along with healthy speculation on the nature of the products and their effects on the body. In this article, we are going to take a look at the effects of vaping, particularly on how vaping affects the lungs, and what the side effects are. Continue reading to learn more!
Many people opt to vape as opposed to smoking because it offers the ability to have a similar experience without the tobacco. Tobacco, as we are all very much aware, is full of toxins, chemical ingredients, (approximately 4000!) including some that are known to be carcinogenic. Vaping with e-liquids, on the other hand, includes very few ingredients, with top-quality brands making it evident that purity is a top priority.
While smoking cigarettes includes subjecting the body to all of the chemical substances contained within them, along with toxic smoke and the tar left behind, vaping presents a completely different approach and result. The formulas of most e-liquids include just a few ingredients: water, vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavorings, and nicotine. The process involves vaporizing these liquids into an inhalable vapor, which when exhaled, leaves behind barely a trace of the vapor, which dissipates rapidly, without subjecting those nearby to any such effects as “second-hand vapor.”
Vaping and the Lungs
At the present time, there really is no hard proof to declare vaping is bad for the body or the lungs. Vaping is relatively a new occurrence, so there isn’t any long-term data available that is able to detail harm that can happen over a long period of time. There is presently no data to show that a mixture of water, vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, flavorings, and nicotine actually presents harm to the lungs when inhaled.
Smoking tobacco is a known cancer-causing habit, and it can lead to such illnesses as esophageal and lung cancer, as well as many other life-threatening conditions that involve the lungs, such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema due to the damage inflicted upon the cilia and bronchioles. The ways that smoking tobacco cigarettes harm the lungs is extensive; from the continuous exposure to the many carcinogenic chemicals, to the buildup of tar, to the depositing of particulate matter in the lungs; it is a very dangerous habit.
When vaping is compared to the above-mentioned issues, there really is no comparison to the amount of danger it presents, at least in terms of examining the risk from a critical point of view. Vaping doesn’t produce carcinogens in the same manner or quantity as smoking, and these stats, so far, have made it clear that it is not a true carcinogenic risk. Additionally, with vaping, there is no tar left behind, and no solid particulate matter.
Is Popcorn Lung a Real Threat to Vapers?
If you vape or have read up on the health effects of vaping, you may be aware of a condition known as “popcorn lung.” However, what’s important to know about popcorn lung is that it is not a widespread threat to all who vape. In fact, only a select few vapers are actually exposed to the substances that are related to causing popcorn lung: acetyl propionyl and diacetyl. Historically, when these substances were used in microwavable popcorn production, factory workers exposed to them in powder form were known to have developed the condition.
Acetyl propionyl and diacetyl are substances which are sometimes used in e-liquids to produce a creamy or buttery-like flavor. Currently, there are no known cases of popcorn lung related to vaping, however, it is best to avoid these substances in your juices if you are concerned.
Though there is no regulation to prevent vape juice companies from using these substances, brands that are committed to quality and ensuring the safety of their patrons avoid them. One example is VaporFi, who has always been dedicated to producing only the highest quality liquids on the market. They have stood by self-imposed regulations that include producing their juices in an FDA-registered lab, and their formulas are all on file with the FDA for further assurance.
Is Nicotine Safe?
When it comes to the effects of vaping on the body, it is important to understand that nicotine, while not technically as dangerous as smoking traditional cigarettes, is still regarded as a drug, and it is habit-forming. There is even consideration given to it as a substance that may cause heart disease when inhaled, so it’s important to understand this if you are intending on using vape products that contain nicotine. Therefore, if you have heart disease, it probably would be best to steer clear of any products that contain nicotine. Nicotine is naturally-occurring in many sources from nature, including plants (and foods) from the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, green peppers, and eggplant.
Between the health effects of smoking and vaping, there is no comparison to the greatly reduced number of risks associated with vaping as opposed to smoking. Because vaping does not involve tobacco, which is the root of the many deadly illnesses associated with smoking, a huge amount of the risk is abated. From the numerous ways smoking damages the lungs, to the carcinogenic tar left behind, along with the threat of damage to the heart and arteries, there are so many aspects that make vaping a better choice for those interested in choosing between the two.
