How is that possible that today, when there’s so much information available about the dangers of smoking tobacco, somebody is still doing this? Unfortunately, this knowledge is often a weak tool against nicotine addiction. And its physical side doesn’t play the major role. The main problem lies in our minds.
Vaping And A Mental Side Of The Nicotine Addiction
Smokers have the so-called “rituals” they have built around their habit. These are small situations that trigger the need for a cigarette, like coffee time, drinking alcohol or after meal smoke. When smokers are trying to quit their habit, they have to deal not only with the nicotine cravings but also with the violation of their daily routine, which is really challenging for the majority of people.
For many, an electronic cigarette has become a rescue from the tobacco trap. Vaping is quite similar to smoking. Some vaping devices even look like combustible cigarettes, though a bit bigger and heavier. But the process is almost the same – a user inhales and exhales vapor. That’s why vaporizers help to cope with triggering situations.
Unlike regular cigarettes, which rely on burning tobacco to deliver nicotine, tar, and 4,000 other chemicals, e-cigarettes use an electric charge to vaporize a dose of nicotine accompanied by propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, the substances commonly used as food additives or ingredients in many cosmetic and hygiene products. Using electronic nicotine-delivery systems are more effective than traditional Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which includes gum, patches, sprays, inhalers, or lozenges, as using these products doesn’t copy the process of smoking.
Another great advantage is that best e cigarette is cleaner than tobacco smoke. At least, this is what Public Health England, Cancer Research UK, and many health experts claim.
Is Vaping The Right Choice?
For quitters who start losing their motivation and strength to resist the temptation to smoke, vaping is a life saver. It helps to get rid of nicotine addiction and the behavioral patterns. But is it as safe as its advocate say? Here’re a few things that we must warn you about:
- Recently, studies have found several toxic chemicals in some e-liquids. For the sake of your health, always check the ingredients of oil you’re going to buy.
- Moreover, the market is full of cheap gadgets ad counterfeits. To make sure you’ll get the best e-cig, take your time and read the reviews of the model and brand you like and double check the gear before buying. Always buy vape products from trustable retailers.
- The general condition of the vape is also an important factor. When you use your device for a long time and don’t take care of it, you might put your health under the risk. Clean your e-cig regularly.
The Effect Of Smoking On A Mental Health
Most smokers say that their habit acts like a stress coping tool. In fact, it has the opposite effect. Doctor Robert West, Professor of health psychology at the University College London, reports that non-smokers and former smokers have an equal level of anxiety, which is lower than in current smokers.
Why did the myth that smoking can reduce stress actually appeared? A person can feel relaxed while puffing on a cigarette and a limited time after this. But it doesn’t deal with the root of the problem, so the feelings of anxiety and tension become stronger with time.
Another story which smokers spin about is being able to concentrate better at work while smoking. In reality, nicotine tends to make your brain function slower. It happens due to the work of carbon monoxide, a harmful chemical that reduces the oxygen supply to the vital organs of the body, including the brain. Smokers can only achieve the levels of concentration they were capable of before they developed a habit no matter how many cigarettes they smoke.
On a basic level, smoke-free life is less stressful. Just imagine that you don’t have to build your activities around your smoking habit. No more inconvenience when eating at a restaurant or flying to someplace. No more misunderstanding with tobacco haters. Your mind will be free of all the concerns that you had to deal with as a smoker.
Does Smoking Help People With Mental Health Problems?
People that suffer from such mental problems as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, are often chain smokers. There’s a popular misconception among them that a cigarette acts as a relaxing agent during these ailments.
Having this in mind, they start smoking more heavily which leads to developing more diseases than before. Several studies have shown that those who were diagnosed with mental ailments die 10 to 20 years earlier than those who don’t have such problems, and smoking is the common habit among them all.
The truth is that tobacco smoking doesn’t have any medicinal qualities to cure any mental disease. Moreover, it can interfere with the work of anti-depressants and antipsychotic medicines. Thus, patients are required to quit. NRT or an e-cig vaporizer can help if someone need to give up tobacco a.s.a.p.
Will Quitting Improve Your Mental State?
British scientists studied the change in mental health due to smoking cessation. The participants were clinical patients and ordinary people that fell out of the habit. According to the results, quitting smoking is linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, positive mood, and better quality of life in comparison with keeping smoking and even to medicine.
American researchers analyzed data from 4,800 regular smokers taken from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The first survey showed that about 40% of smokers suffered from mood or anxiety issues. About 50% of smokers revealed having problems with alcohol, and about 25% - with drugs.
The second survey was conducted again three years later. It turned out that 42% of the people who still smoked experienced mood disorders, and only 29% of quitters had the same problem. Ex-smokers also reported lowers rates of substance abuse.
The researchers don’t know whether it is the boost of mental health that drives people to lead a healthier life or quitting that contributes to the improvement. A lead investigator Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg says that they are sure there’s “a strong link between quitting and a better psychiatric outlook.”
