Youth Who Vape Twice Likely To Experience Chronic Stress [Study]

Vaping has been linked to mental health problems. A new study looked into the effects of vapes and e-cigarettes on teens and young adults.

Vaping And Mental Health

Compared to their non-vaping peers, young people who use e-cigarettes are more than twice as likely to report having chronic stress, according to research from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as of 2022, one in seven high school students in the U.S. uses e-cigarettes. This translates to 2.14 million young people nationwide.

In the study, which used data from the Canadian Health Measure Surveys, 115 of the 905 participants, aged 15 to 30, were likelier to report extreme chronic stress. Additionally, it was discovered that teens who vaped were more likely to engage in physical activity.

The link between vaping and stress is unclear. The researchers were unsure if vaping only serves as a coping method for those already under stress or whether it increases stress. Or perhaps it's a combination of the two, locking the user in a vicious loop of stress- and stress-induced vaping.

In either case, long-term stress can negatively affect both physical and mental health.

According to Teresa To, a senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children who led the study, persistent stress can contribute to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are just a few chronic disorders that stress increases the likelihood of developing in the body, as is oxidative stress and inflammation.

Although it is yet unknown if vaping is a cause or effect of stress, it is crucial to reduce chronic stress whenever possible, especially among young people.

The findings will be presented in Milan, Italy, at the International Congress of the European Respiratory Society on Tuesday (Sept. 12).

What Is Chronic Stress?

Chronic stress is a persistent, frequently overwhelming tension that can hurt a person's day-to-day activities. Or it could be a long-term pattern of feeling consistently under pressure and overwhelmed.

A physiologic reaction to challenging circumstances is stress. Hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released as a result. By speeding up the heart and breathing rates, for instance, these hormones assist the body in getting ready to act. A doctor may refer to this as a person being in a state of increased awareness or arousal.

Various conditions and psychological stresses, such as work deadlines, exams, and sporting events, can cause a stress response. Financial difficulties and challenging relationships also cause chronic stress.

Symptoms of chronic stress include irritability, fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating or sleeping, disorganized thoughts, digestive problems, change in appetite, feeling helpless, perceived loss of control, low self-esteem, loss of sexual desire, nervousness, and frequent illnesses.

Patients with chronic stress often receive a treatment plan that targets their specific symptoms. A patient with digestive issues rooted in stress could go on medication, change their diet, and focus on reducing stress.

You can also manage stress by exercising, keeping a healthy diet, learning time management techniques, setting realistic goals, getting enough sleep, making time for leisure activities, reducing stress, and practicing mindfulness.

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