For many, vaping is seen as a less harmful, convenient alternative to traditional smoking. It lasts longer, has minimal odor, and can fit inside almost any pocket.
However, vapes contain the highly addictive compound, nicotine. Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. This causes depolarization on the neurons they are found on, releasing dopamine and norepinephrine. Nicotine also causes secretion of the sympathetic nervous system, releasing epinephrine from adrenal glands.
During inhalation, as soon as the vapor hits your throat, a short-lived sense of pleasure, motivation, and excitement overwhelms your brain and body. This increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, salivation, and decreases attention, energy, and overall motivation.
Diacetyl is a frequently added compound to enhance the flavor of vapor. This compound can cause permanent scarring in the deepest branches of your airways. This disease is called Popcorn Lung, and can make it difficult to breathe. There is no treatment for this disease.
When a vape runs out of e-liquid, a burnt flavor is produced. This is from the filter of the vape melting and releasing melted plastic, and even metal elements like arsenic, chromium, nickel, and lead.
The worst part of vaping is how addicting it is. Over time, as one continues to vape, the brain builds tolerance to the substance, requiring a larger amount of vapor to achieve a previously felt sensation. Nicotine even reshapes our brain after consistent use. The brain learns this is how pleasure is easily obtained and develops new nicotinic receptors, increasing cravings for substance, and even reducing the amount of overall dopamine experienced.
All of this can make quitting extremely difficult. These effects may be scary but not permanent. Withdrawals typically last 2-4 weeks. Many institutions such as Smokefree.gov or YouCanQuit2 can help with this process.