By now, it should be no secret that vaping can have a concerning impact on our bodies.
While it is considered to be 'substantially less harmful than smoking', according to the NHS, it doesn't mean that vaping is entirely risk-free.
And e-cigarettes' explosion in popularity amongst younger people has since seen governments around the world introduce new restrictions on the habit, with the UK government currently looking at various methods to restrict vapes finding their way into the hands of younger generations.
However, if you are one of those looking to quit, then here's what to expect when you give up vaping once and for all.
Jordan North: The Truth About Vaping
BBC
What happens to your body when you inhale smoke from a vape?
Research into what happens to the body when it's exposed to vaping is also expanding, as experts scramble to catch-up on the years of studies on cigarette smoking.
A sobering simulation recently revealed exactly what happens to your body when you inhale vape smoke.
Should you be a regular user of a vape which contains ingredients such as diacetyl, then the vapours you're inhaling can lead to a build up of the mucus in the lungs, which damage the alveoli.
While diacetyl can sometimes appear in food and drink products, like stouts for example, it is currently banned from UK vapes and e-cigarettes as a result of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in 2016.
However, it can still make its way onto the ingredients list in other countries and illegal produced e-cigarettes.
What happens to the body when you quit vaping?
Now that you've seen what vaping can do to your body, you may be looking to scale back on your e-cigarette usage or even cut it out all-together.
But how quickly does it take for the body to see positive changes after putting down the vape for good?
Research into the long-term effects of vaping is still ongoing (Getty Stock Images)Well, according to Med Alert Help's Nikola Djordjevic MD, you can see improvements after just 20 minutes.
"[After 20 minutes] your heart rate returns to normal, your blood pressure drops, and your circulation starts to normalise," she told The Healthy.
After just 24 hours, your risk of heart disease also falls, with Djordjevic further explaining this is due to the 'lowering of blood pressure, rising blood oxygen levels, and reducing the negative influence on cholesterol levels and the formation of blood clots'.
If you're able to go one month without touching a vape, the nicotine will be flushed from your system and your lung capacity will improve, with Djordjevic adding: "There’s noticeably less shortness of breath and coughing."
However your body can see improvements within just days of kicking the habit (Getty Stock Images)
She goes on to add that the nine month mark is a significant milestone for the body's recovery, explaining that 'lung health improves significantly thanks to the renewal of microscopic hair-like structures inside the lungs that help push out mucus and fight infections'.
If you're able to kick the habit long-term, one year without a vape with see your risk of heart disease halved. After 10 to 15 years she adds that your risk of lung, pancreatic, mouth, and throat cancer 'is reduced by 50 percent'.
"After 15 years, your risk of developing coronary heart disease becomes the same as a nonsmoker’s," Djordjevic states.
"The same goes for the risk of developing pancreatic cancer."Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images/Youtube/The Infographics Show
Sobering simulation shows what really happens to your body when you inhale smoke from a vape
A simulation of what happens to your lungs when you regularly vape reveals how bad it can be for you
A simulation of what really happens in your body when your vape has revealed just how harmful it can be.
It's taken a while, but it looks like more people are becoming aware of how bad vaping can be for you, with authorities around the world putting measures in place to stop the epidemic from getting any further out of hand.
Keir Starmer and the UK government have vowed to ban cigarettes for all of those born in 2009 or after, and restrict the way that vapes are sold in shops to stop children from getting their hands on it.
She goes on to add that the nine month mark is a significant milestone for the body's recovery, explaining that 'lung health improves significantly thanks to the renewal of microscopic hair-like structures inside the lungs that help push out mucus and fight infections'.
If you're able to kick the habit long-term, one year without a vape with see your risk of heart disease halved. After 10 to 15 years she adds that your risk of lung, pancreatic, mouth, and throat cancer 'is reduced by 50 percent'.
"After 15 years, your risk of developing coronary heart disease becomes the same as a nonsmoker’s," Djordjevic states.
"The same goes for the risk of developing pancreatic cancer."Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images/Youtube/The Infographics Show
Sobering simulation shows what really happens to your body when you inhale smoke from a vape
A simulation of what happens to your lungs when you regularly vape reveals how bad it can be for you
A simulation of what really happens in your body when your vape has revealed just how harmful it can be.
It's taken a while, but it looks like more people are becoming aware of how bad vaping can be for you, with authorities around the world putting measures in place to stop the epidemic from getting any further out of hand.
Keir Starmer and the UK government have vowed to ban cigarettes for all of those born in 2009 or after, and restrict the way that vapes are sold in shops to stop children from getting their hands on it.
The vaping epidemic has swept the world over the last decade. (Getty Stock Photo)
Though these are steps in the right direction, it's worth knowing why vapes are bad for you, and seeing just how badly it can affect your body.
Most vapes consist of a mouthpiece, a heating element, a microprocessor, a battery, and a cartridge that contains e-liquid.
When the juice is drawn out of the cartridge by the heating element, it is vapourised and inhaled like cigarette smoke, though usually a lot sweeter.
Initially thought to be a 'healthier' alternative to smoking a ciggy, it turns out that there's a lot to worry about when it comes to sucking on the battery powered machines.
It's become a massive problem as back in 2019, the United States had an outbreak of over 1600 cases of unexplained lung injury, with 34 being fatal, and 92 percent of patients admitted that they had used black-market THC vape cartridges.
Now known as E-Cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), it is caused by vitamin E acetate, a synthetic used in topical skin cream.
But this is just one of several chemicals that are in vape juices which have little restriction.
In isolation, vape juice ingredients don't look that bad, including things such as propylene glycol, which is common in food and medicine, or even vegetable glycerine, a food thickening agent, along with whatever else manufacturers want to chuck in.
There's so little regulation on these ingredients to this day, so the risk of two elements becoming toxic when vapourised together isn't out of the question.
Diacetyl is a common artificial flavouring compound that flavours coddww, fruity drunks, and adds a butter flavour to microwave popcorn.
Despite ingesting it, you do not want it in your lungs.
A simulation shows what happens if we regularly inhale Diacetyl in vapes, and it might be enough to put you off it if you're a regular vape user.
You might develop a chronic condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as 'popcorn lung' as it was first discovered in a popcorn factory as workers spent so much time with diacetyl that it became toxic.
Though these are steps in the right direction, it's worth knowing why vapes are bad for you, and seeing just how badly it can affect your body.
Most vapes consist of a mouthpiece, a heating element, a microprocessor, a battery, and a cartridge that contains e-liquid.
When the juice is drawn out of the cartridge by the heating element, it is vapourised and inhaled like cigarette smoke, though usually a lot sweeter.
Initially thought to be a 'healthier' alternative to smoking a ciggy, it turns out that there's a lot to worry about when it comes to sucking on the battery powered machines.
It's become a massive problem as back in 2019, the United States had an outbreak of over 1600 cases of unexplained lung injury, with 34 being fatal, and 92 percent of patients admitted that they had used black-market THC vape cartridges.
Now known as E-Cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), it is caused by vitamin E acetate, a synthetic used in topical skin cream.
But this is just one of several chemicals that are in vape juices which have little restriction.
In isolation, vape juice ingredients don't look that bad, including things such as propylene glycol, which is common in food and medicine, or even vegetable glycerine, a food thickening agent, along with whatever else manufacturers want to chuck in.
There's so little regulation on these ingredients to this day, so the risk of two elements becoming toxic when vapourised together isn't out of the question.
Diacetyl is a common artificial flavouring compound that flavours coddww, fruity drunks, and adds a butter flavour to microwave popcorn.
Despite ingesting it, you do not want it in your lungs.
A simulation shows what happens if we regularly inhale Diacetyl in vapes, and it might be enough to put you off it if you're a regular vape user.
You might develop a chronic condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as 'popcorn lung' as it was first discovered in a popcorn factory as workers spent so much time with diacetyl that it became toxic.
Popcorn lung looks disgusting (Youtube/The Infographics Show)
The simulation shows the build up of mucus in the lungs and damaging the alveoli, which is the primary site of gas exchange between the blood and inhaled air.
Diacetyl is not illegal though, so it does still regularly make its way into vape juices regardless of flavour.
In fact, a 2015 study by the Environmental Health Perspectives revealed that out of 51 tested e-liquid flavours, 39 contained the chemical.
Medical professionals widely believe that vaping may be slightly better than smoking cigarettes, which are known to have over 600 chemicals in them and a higher nicotine level, but the more we look into vapes, the more than similarities show.
Essentially, if it's not air, it shouldn't be going into your lungs' cilia.
The cilia are hair-like structures in your lungs that move in wave patterns to keep out bacteria and other viruses away, so hat you can cough it out.
But smoking in numerous chemicals can have a 'paralytic effect' on the lung cilia, which takes weeks to heal, leaving your lungs exposed to infection.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photo / Youtube/The Infographics Show
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Timeline of what happens to your body when you quit vaping
Evidence suggests vaping is more dangerous than we first thought
As of last year, a staggering 4.7 million Brits admitted to vaping.
Now with the New Year upon us, there's no better time to ditch it.
According to a study, the habit appears to be most popular with those aged between 16 to 24 years old.
E-cigarettes were first advertised for those looking to quit smoking tobacco products, but research by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has since shown that one of the main reasons some choose to vape is to help them quit smoking altogether.
With the concerning figures in mind, people are being urged to ditch their e-cigarettes as there's some unhealthy side effects that come with the habit.
From lung disease to heart disease, it can increase a person's chances of developing debilitating health issues.
In contrast, your body can react positively to quitting vaping; with some positive side effects kicking in within minutes.
The simulation shows the build up of mucus in the lungs and damaging the alveoli, which is the primary site of gas exchange between the blood and inhaled air.
Diacetyl is not illegal though, so it does still regularly make its way into vape juices regardless of flavour.
In fact, a 2015 study by the Environmental Health Perspectives revealed that out of 51 tested e-liquid flavours, 39 contained the chemical.
Medical professionals widely believe that vaping may be slightly better than smoking cigarettes, which are known to have over 600 chemicals in them and a higher nicotine level, but the more we look into vapes, the more than similarities show.
Essentially, if it's not air, it shouldn't be going into your lungs' cilia.
The cilia are hair-like structures in your lungs that move in wave patterns to keep out bacteria and other viruses away, so hat you can cough it out.
But smoking in numerous chemicals can have a 'paralytic effect' on the lung cilia, which takes weeks to heal, leaving your lungs exposed to infection.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photo / Youtube/The Infographics Show
Timeline of what happens to your body when you quit vaping
Evidence suggests vaping is more dangerous than we first thought
As of last year, a staggering 4.7 million Brits admitted to vaping.
Now with the New Year upon us, there's no better time to ditch it.
According to a study, the habit appears to be most popular with those aged between 16 to 24 years old.
E-cigarettes were first advertised for those looking to quit smoking tobacco products, but research by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has since shown that one of the main reasons some choose to vape is to help them quit smoking altogether.
With the concerning figures in mind, people are being urged to ditch their e-cigarettes as there's some unhealthy side effects that come with the habit.
From lung disease to heart disease, it can increase a person's chances of developing debilitating health issues.
In contrast, your body can react positively to quitting vaping; with some positive side effects kicking in within minutes.
Martina Paraninfi/Getty Stock
Nikola Djordjevic MD – project manager at Med Alert Help – told The Healthy that even after just 20 minutes, 'your heart rate returns to normal, your blood pressure drops, and your circulation starts to normalise'.
Your breathing may also improve, with Caleb Backe, a certified health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics, stating: "When you quit vaping, you should find that your breathing becomes less laboured and your airflow is clearer."
And if that weren't incredible enough, apparently your risk of heart disease falls within just 24 hours.
The outlet pointed to a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine which showed that people who smoked e-cigarettes nearly doubled their heart attack risk when compared with non-smokers.
But fret not, as Djordjevic went on to say: "After just one day, your heart attack risk starts to decrease."
She explained that this is 'thanks to the lowering of blood pressure, rising blood oxygen levels, and reducing the negative influence on cholesterol levels and the formation of blood clots'.
Nikola Djordjevic MD – project manager at Med Alert Help – told The Healthy that even after just 20 minutes, 'your heart rate returns to normal, your blood pressure drops, and your circulation starts to normalise'.
Your breathing may also improve, with Caleb Backe, a certified health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics, stating: "When you quit vaping, you should find that your breathing becomes less laboured and your airflow is clearer."
And if that weren't incredible enough, apparently your risk of heart disease falls within just 24 hours.
The outlet pointed to a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine which showed that people who smoked e-cigarettes nearly doubled their heart attack risk when compared with non-smokers.
But fret not, as Djordjevic went on to say: "After just one day, your heart attack risk starts to decrease."
She explained that this is 'thanks to the lowering of blood pressure, rising blood oxygen levels, and reducing the negative influence on cholesterol levels and the formation of blood clots'.
Peter Dazeley/Getty StockAfter one month, the nicotine will be well out of your system – this takes around three days – and your lungs will start to recover.
Again, although vaping isn't as damaging to the lungs as regular cigarettes, it still involves breathing in chemicals and can therefore make breathing more difficult or make existing conditions worse.
It's yet another reason why kicking the habit may be worth doing sooner rather than later.
"After one month, your lung capacity improves," added Djordjevic. "There’s noticeably less shortness of breath and coughing.
"After nine months, lung health improves significantly thanks to the renewal of microscopic hair-like structures inside the lungs that help push out mucus and fight infections."
And after one year? Your risk of heart disease will have halved, according to the doctor.
She went on to outline the potential benefits after 10 to 15 years, stating: "After a decade, lung cancer risk is reduced by 50 percent, as well as the risk of pancreatic, mouth, and throat cancer.
"After 15 years, your risk of developing coronary heart disease becomes the same as a nonsmoker’s. The same goes for the risk of developing pancreatic cancer."
One of the major downsides of quitting is, of course, withdrawal symptoms, which will be more noticeable if you're vaping liquids with high nicotine content.
You may experience a variety of symptoms, such as cravings, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, irritability, increased hunger and headaches.
Djordjevic said these will hit a peak on day three, 'and gradually decrease during the following three to four weeks'.
She added: "So it will take around a month to break the habit."
However, with the right strategy and with the health benefits in mind, there's no reason why you can't quit vaping for good, one less puff at a time.Featured Image Credit: Stanton j Stephens /Reza Estakhrian/Getty
Published 18:38 30 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Doctor shows x-ray of 'popcorn lung' caused from vaping and it can be fatal
Just incase you needed some motivation to put down the vape once and for all
A doctor has shared an x-ray of a potentially fatal condition which can be caused by vaping.
By now, we're all very aware that habits such as smoking and vaping are not good for us. Ever since the candy flavoured e-cigarettes became popular amongst young people; countless amounts of warnings, restrictions and even outright bans have been rolling in as health experts scramble to understand more about what vaping does to our bodies.
One of the more concerning side effects linked to vaping over the past couple of years is something called 'popcorn lung' - and it can be fatal.
Doctors on vaping and 'popcorn lung'
Credit: CBS New York
What is 'popcorn lung'?
Popcorn lung is the popular name for a condition called bronchiolitis obliterans, which is a rare form of disease that sees scarring and inflammation of the bronchioles, the lung's smallest airways.
Once the airways become inflamed they are no longer able to expel carbon dioxide from the lung, which can lead to a fatal build up. This differs from other vaping or smoking related illnesses which usually occur in the lung's alveoli.
Symptoms of popcorn lung can include shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing which can flare up with exercise or exertion.
The name 'popcorn lung' comes from the fact that the disease was first discovered in works at a microwave popcorn plant who'd been inhaling a chemical used in the production of the snack.
Are vaping and popcorn lung related?
It's important to note that vaping on it's own does not cause popcorn lung. Your risk of developing the disease is all down to the chemicals found in the particular vape you're inhaling.
Popcorn lung seen on an x-ray (CBS)
Researchers have been able to link popcorn lung to a chemical known as diacetyl, which is often found in the production of certain foods and snack items, such as the previously mentioned microwaved popcorn.
However, diacetyl has also been found in the production of certain flavoured vapes as it can help create flavours such as cotton candy and blue raspberry.
Fortunately, diacetyl is banned in the production of vapes in the UK, due to concerns about popcorn lungs. Which means that you're unlikely to develop this specific disease by using vapes sold legally in UK stores.
However, diacetyl can still be found in vaping products in other countries and is a particular risk in the production of illegal and unregulated vapes.
This is particular concern for children under the age of 18 who are purchasing vapes illegally.
Researchers have been able to link popcorn lung to a chemical known as diacetyl, which is often found in the production of certain foods and snack items, such as the previously mentioned microwaved popcorn.
However, diacetyl has also been found in the production of certain flavoured vapes as it can help create flavours such as cotton candy and blue raspberry.
Fortunately, diacetyl is banned in the production of vapes in the UK, due to concerns about popcorn lungs. Which means that you're unlikely to develop this specific disease by using vapes sold legally in UK stores.
However, diacetyl can still be found in vaping products in other countries and is a particular risk in the production of illegal and unregulated vapes.
This is particular concern for children under the age of 18 who are purchasing vapes illegally.
The concern is largely concerned with illegal vapes in the UK (Getty Stock Images)
The American Lung Association has also labelled popcorn lung as 'a dangerous risk of flavoured e-cigarettes'.
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, from the Tobacco Treatment Clinic at Johns Hopkins University, has also stressed the seriousness of the condition, telling the Daily Mail back in 2022: "It's as brutal as disease as it sounds... if you develop it you have a 95 percent of dying within five years."Featured Image Credit: (CBS)
What happens to your body when you give up vaping as UK set for ban
Here's how vaping affects your body when you quit
Now that UK ministers are getting ready to ban single-use vapes - you may want to know exactly what happens to your body when you kick the habit.
Following a series of calls from public waste campaigners, paediatricians and councils, disposable vapes could now be made illegal on health and environmental grounds as of next week.
You may have picked up the brightly-coloured, cute-looking little bars that taste like fruit in a bid to give up smoking or simply just for fun, but a slew of evidence suggests vaping is a little more damaging than we initially thought.
So, now might be the time to ditch the e-cigarettes for good.
However, if the idea of not sucking in clouds of pineapple air makes you grab around for your vape in anxiety, maybe hearing about what happens to your body when you give up vaping will help you go at least a day or two without it.
Although plenty of studies have shown that using vapes is better than smoking cigarettes, they still contain a number of chemicals and, of course, nicotine that can impact your health in the long run.
"Nicotine vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking," the NHS explains. "It's also one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking.
"Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers and young people because it is not completely harmless."
Thankfully, according to the experts, your body starts recovering pretty damn quick after quitting.
In fact, Nikola Djordjevic MD – project manager at Med Alert Help – told The Healthy that even after just 20 minutes, 'your heart rate returns to normal, your blood pressure drops, and your circulation starts to normalise'.
Your breathing may also improve, with Caleb Backe, a certified health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics, stating: "When you quit vaping, you should find that your breathing becomes less laboured and your airflow is clearer."
And if that weren't incredible enough, apparently your risk of heart disease falls within just 24 hours.
The outlet pointed to a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine which showed that people who smoked e-cigarettes nearly doubled their heart attack risk when compared with non-smokers.
But fret not, as Djordjevic went on to say: "After just one day, your heart attack risk starts to decrease."
She explained that this is 'thanks to the lowering of blood pressure, rising blood oxygen levels, and reducing the negative influence on cholesterol levels and the formation of blood clots'.
Olena Bohovyk / Pexels
After one month, the nicotine will be well out of your system – this takes around three days – and your lungs will start to recover.
Again, although vaping isn't as damaging to the lungs as regular cigarettes, it still involves breathing in chemicals and can therefore make breathing more difficult or make existing conditions worse.
It's yet another reason why kicking the habit may be worth doing sooner rather than later.
"After one month, your lung capacity improves," added Djordjevic. "There’s noticeably less shortness of breath and coughing.
"After nine months, lung health improves significantly thanks to the renewal of microscopic hair-like structures inside the lungs that help push out mucus and fight infections."
And after one year? Your risk of heart disease will have halved, according to the doctor.
She went on to outline the potential benefits after 10 to 15 years, stating: "After a decade, lung cancer risk is reduced by 50 percent, as well as the risk of pancreatic, mouth, and throat cancer.
After one month, the nicotine will be well out of your system – this takes around three days – and your lungs will start to recover.
Again, although vaping isn't as damaging to the lungs as regular cigarettes, it still involves breathing in chemicals and can therefore make breathing more difficult or make existing conditions worse.
It's yet another reason why kicking the habit may be worth doing sooner rather than later.
"After one month, your lung capacity improves," added Djordjevic. "There’s noticeably less shortness of breath and coughing.
"After nine months, lung health improves significantly thanks to the renewal of microscopic hair-like structures inside the lungs that help push out mucus and fight infections."
And after one year? Your risk of heart disease will have halved, according to the doctor.
She went on to outline the potential benefits after 10 to 15 years, stating: "After a decade, lung cancer risk is reduced by 50 percent, as well as the risk of pancreatic, mouth, and throat cancer.
Unsplash"After 15 years, your risk of developing coronary heart disease becomes the same as a nonsmoker’s. The same goes for the risk of developing pancreatic cancer."
One of the major downsides of quitting is, of course, withdrawal symptoms, which will be more noticeable if you're vaping liquids with high nicotine content.
You may experience a variety of symptoms, such as cravings, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, irritability, increased hunger and headaches.
Djordjevic said these will hit a peak on day three, 'and gradually decrease during the following three to four weeks'.
She added: "So it will take around a month to break the habit."
However, with the right strategy and with health benefits in mind, there's no reason why you can't quit vaping for good, one less puff at a time.
