Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. Some proponents of vaping claim that it can have mental health benefits beyond smoking cessation, such as helping to alleviate depression and anxiety. In this article, we will examine the evidence around whether vaping could potentially help with depression.
What is vaping?
Vaping refers to the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other vaping devices to inhale vaporized nicotine, flavors, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid (called e-liquid or vape juice) into an aerosol that the user inhales.
The liquid usually contains:
- Nicotine
- Flavorings
- Propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin as the base
Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn tobacco, e-cigarettes heat the e-liquid just enough to release a vapor without burning. This allows the user to inhale nicotine without the tar and carbon monoxide of cigarette smoke.
Vaping devices come in many shapes and sizes, from small disposable e-cigarettes to large, customizable mods with refillable tanks. Pod systems that use prefilled pods or cartridges are also popular. The device turns the liquid into vapor, which the user inhales through a mouthpiece.
How could vaping potentially help with depression?
There are a few ways that vaping advocates argue it could potentially help with depression:
Nicotine’s effects on the brain
Nicotine is known to stimulate the release of certain neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These are brain chemicals that regulate mood and are often deficient in people with depression. Some argue that inhaling nicotine through vaping can provide a boost to these mood-regulating chemicals.
Behavioral effects
The hand-to-mouth habit and inhaling/exhaling motions involved in vaping may have behavioral effects similar to smoking a cigarette that some find relaxing. The ritual of preparing the vape device and taking vape breaks may also be soothing.
Reduced withdrawal symptoms
For those quitting smoking while dealing with depression, vaping may help ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. This could hypothetically prevent worsening of depressive symptoms during smoking cessation.
Perceived benefits
Some depressed smokers switching to vaping report perceived benefits like improvements in mood, reduced anxiety, and increased calmness. The placebo effect likely plays a role here. Simply believing vaping is helping one’s mood can influence self-reported effects.
What does the research say?
While the potential mood-boosting effects of vaping make intuitive sense, the research evidence around vaping and depression is limited and mixed:
Cross-sectional studies
Some population surveys have found associations between vaping and depression, but the direction of causation is unclear. It’s debated whether:
- Depressed individuals may be more likely to start vaping.
- Vaping itself increases depression risk.
Overall, these observational studies cannot prove vaping reduces or worsens depression.
Clinical research
A few small clinical studies have looked at the short-term effects of vaping compared to smoking or nicotine replacement therapy:
- One study found vaping reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms just as well as nicotine patches.
- Another found vaping briefly improved mood and reduced stress compared to not vaping.
- However, a 3rd study found no difference in withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or depression after 4 weeks between people who quit smoking by vaping versus using nicotine patches.
Overall, this research has significant limitations like small sample sizes and short follow-up periods.
Potential risks
Experts in psychiatry caution that for some individuals, vaping could potentially worsen mental health issues like depression. Reasons include:
- Unknown long-term effects of chronic vaping on brain chemistry.
- Potential overuse or dependence on vaping to manage mood.
- Side effects like insomnia or agitation from high-nicotine concentrations.
More longitudinal research is needed to better understand the impacts.
Key insights from research
While more studies are needed, we can conclude:
- Vaping may temporarily relieve nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms that can worsen depression when quitting smoking.
- Vaping is unlikely to be more beneficial for depression than proven nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gum.
- Any mood-boosting effects from vaping are likely short-term. Vaping has not been shown to resolve underlying depression long-term.
- For those with mental health conditions, vaping risks likely outweigh unproven benefits. Consulting a doctor is advised.
Best practices for using vaping to quit smoking with depression
If someone with depression does want to try switching to vaping to quit smoking, some best practices include:
- Consult a doctor about risks and guidelines for use.
- Use the lowest nicotine concentration needed to manage cravings.
- Start with a simple, easy-to-use vaping system.
- Choose flavors that are satisfying but not too stimulating.
- Stick to a structured vaping schedule rather than vaping excessively.
- Track mood and side effects in case vaping worsens depression over time.
- Get additional support like counseling to better cope with underlying issues.
Other evidence-based strategies to quit smoking with depression
Vaping is just one option to consider. Other strategies with more robust evidence behind them include:
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Using nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, nasal spray, or inhaler. NRT provides nicotine without toxins from smoke and can double quit smoking success rates. It’s available over-the-counter or by prescription at higher doses.
Prescription medications
Such as bupropion (Zyban) or varenicline (Chantix), which reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They are proven to be highly effective for smoking cessation.
Counseling
Behavioral counseling provides strategies for coping with cravings, managing stress, avoiding triggers, etc. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps change mindsets and behaviors around smoking.
Support groups
In-person or online communities to get encouragement and advice from others trying to quit smoking. This can be very helpful when combined with other tactics.
A comprehensive plan combining medication, counseling, and support is often most successful for quitting smoking with depression. Vaping may play a role, but should be considered an adjunct rather than primary strategy.
Conclusions
– There is limited evidence that vaping can provide mild, short-term improvements in mood and withdrawal symptoms compared to continued smoking.
– Vaping has not been proven more effective for depression than traditional nicotine replacement products or medications.
– For those with depression, risks of vaping likely outweigh unconfirmed benefits. Consulting a doctor is advised.
– If using vaping to quit smoking, low nicotine levels and structured vaping schedules are recommended.
– Proven treatments like nicotine patches, prescription medications, counseling, and support groups should form the foundation of any quit-smoking plan for those with depression.
– More research is still needed on the long-term mental health impacts of vaping and how it compares to other cessation strategies.