Adolescence is a time of growth, self-discovery, and exploration, which can sometimes include experimenting with substances. As parents and caregivers, it’s important to understand these substances, their growing popularity, and their effects on teens’ physical and mental health. Staying informed helps you better support and guide your teen through this critical stage of development.
What is vaping?
Vaping is when a substance is heated to the point of releasing vapor (vaporizing) but not combusting (lighting on fire). It’s inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device.
Vaping devices are also referred to as e-cigarettes, e-vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems. They’re battery-operated and used to inhale an aerosol usually containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals.
Vaping is an increasingly popular way to ingest nicotine and cannabis. It’s relatively odorless, making it difficult to distinguish between a nicotine and cannabis vape.
What is in vape juice/e-liquids?
The FDA hasn’t evaluated any of the e-liquids currently on the market and doesn’t regulate them. The FDA requires vape manufacturers to reveal ingredients in e-liquids, but not the harmful carcinogens in the heated vapor.
Ingredients in e-liquid (e-juice): Nicotine, flavoring, humectant (propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin)
- Nicotine: Stimulates the central nervous system and raises blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.
- Flavorings: Currently there are more than 7,000 e-juice flavors. Many of those flavoring chemicals are also used to flavor food, but we don’t know what happens when they are inhaled. For example, diacetyl is commonly used to add buttery flavor to popcorn. It’s been linked to obstructive lung disease when inhaled.
- Propylene glycol (PG): PG is a lab-made liquid that the FDA generally views as safe in food, drugs, and cosmetics. It’s also used to make artificial smoke or fog (concerts, etc.).
- Glycerin: Odorless and colorless, with a slightly sweet taste. Like PG, the FDA generally views it as safe. It’s found in many products, including food, prescriptions, and over-the-counter drugs.
Ingredients once heated: Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, particulates and toxic metals. They’re released in increasing amounts as the temperature of the e-liquid rises.
- Formaldehyde: A probable carcinogen.
- Acetaldehyde: Another probable carcinogen.
- Acrolein: Formed from heated glycerin and can damage the lungs and contribute to heart disease.
- Particulates and metals: The tiny particles in e-cigarette aerosol may also be harmful. A study published in 2023 revealed that e-cigarette aerosol contains at least 12 toxic metals. Researchers found dangerous concentrations of metals such as arsenic, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel.
Why is vaping bad for teens?
Additional dangers of vaping:
- Teens are more likely than others to start smoking cigarettes within the next year if they used an e-cigarette before 9th grade.
- E-cigarettes allow users to ingest more nicotine than they would using traditional cigarettes. Addiction treatment specialists say that some teens who use e-cigarettes show signs of nicotine toxicity and respiratory problems. Doctors note that teenagers use e-cigarettes at faster rates than traditional cigarettes, and experts worry they make teenagers more vulnerable to other kinds of substance use.
- Due to higher levels of nicotine, vaping can increase the risk of addiction.
What are the effects of nicotine?
Nicotine addiction is a serious, ongoing condition that can lead to life-threatening physical health problems if not treated.
Nicotine use affects the brain’s development, especially in areas that control attention and learning. It can also lead to mood disorders and long-term issues with impulse control.
Using nicotine has also been linked to:
- Increased stress
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
Additionally, teens who use nicotine have a higher risk of using other substances, like marijuana.
What are the effects of marijuana?
Marijuana releases dopamine which makes us feel good and encourages us to repeat “feel good behaviors.” Similarly, when we exercise, dopamine signals to the brain that the activity is enjoyable and motivates us to continue. Despite the negative consequences of marijuana, the short-term benefits are rewarding and reinforcing. Over time, a person experiences less enjoyment of activities that once brought pleasure. As a person continues using substances, the changes in the brain lead to impaired decision-making abilities and a loss of control.
Adolescence is a critical time for brain development, which continues until the mid-20s. An adolescent’s brain can be more vulnerable to damage by alcohol and other substances than the adult brain.
Substances used during this time can disrupt brain functioning, which could impact:
- Cognitive functioning
- Learning, processing, and understanding
- Memory
- Decision making
- Self-control
- Motivation and pleasure
- Emotional intelligence
Page Feller, NCSE, ICS, LPC, MAC, CSAC, clinical operations supervisor for Mental Health and Addiction services, shares tips for parents and how to spot signs of vaping in this Rise Above podcast.
Rogers’ Teen Recovery Program
Our Teen Recovery Program is here to help you and your child work through their mental health challenges and coinciding substance use. Our caring team creates a safe and supportive environment where your teen can heal and grow. By focusing on prevention, early intervention, and wellness, we aim to give your child the tools they need to live a happy, fulfilling life.
Call 833-308-5887 a free, confidential screening.
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