Can Vaping Cause Anxiety?

"

A lot of people have questions about vaping and whether or not it contributes to anxiety.

This comes as no surprise; anxiety disorders affect around 18.1 percent of American adults. Because nicotine carries a lot of similarities to caffeine, which has been known to exacerbate anxiety-related symptoms, it is our duty to tell you that yes, vaping can contribute to these symptoms.

However, there is no need to fret, because there are things you can do to prevent anxiety symptoms when vaping. Throughout this article, you’ll learn about triggers and symptoms associated with vaping as well as ways to combat anxiety when vaping. Keep reading to learn more.

Disclaimer

Before we get started, it’s necessary to get this out of the way: by no means is this article going to replace your doctor’s advice. We’re not doctors or medical experts. If you have questions or concerns about anxiety or anxiety-related symptoms, we recommend you talk to your doctor. Your health and safety are pretty darn important to us. Do what’s best for you.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

Maybe you already recognize the symptoms of anxiety, but there are a lot of people who don’t know which signs to look out for. So let’s run through a few of the symptoms:

• Feelings of nervousness or restlessness
• Increased heart rate
• A sense of panic or doom
• Hyperventilation
• Increased perspiration
• Muscle spasms or twitching
• Weakness or lethargy
• Difficulty concentrating

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s possible that what you are experiencing is anxiety-related. Again, we’re not medical experts, so be sure to speak with your doctor if these symptoms concern you.

Side Effects of Too Much Nicotine

Nicotine is stimulant. It's related to caffeine and the effects can closely resemble each other. Like caffeine, there are side effects associated with ingesting too much nicotine in a short amount of time. Seasoned vapers probably already know exactly what we're talking about--we've all felt the effects of chain-vaping or trying out your friend's mod that's filled with eliquid at a higher nicotine strength than you're accustomed to.

If you're new to vaping, or are trying to get a loved one to make the switch, there are some things that you should look out for. If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, headaches, a watering mouth, rapid heartbeat, and poor coordination, you may want to consider lowering your nicotine strength.

Other Anxiety Triggers

It's worth keeping in mind that anxiety triggers are a common presence in everyday life. Triggers can be as obvious as a stressful job or as subtle as the news or clutter.

But because everyone is different, it is difficult to know what triggers will affect you. You may have a high capacity for stress or you may have invisible triggers that you are not aware of that feed your anxiety. Learning about your specific anxiety triggers is a discussion that is best done with your doctor or therapist.

So, why are we bringing this up? Well, it's worth noting that like caffeine, nicotine consumption can exacerbate anxiety levels. If you’re in a high-stress environment and turn to chain-vaping to quell your stress, you might just be making the problem worse. Since vape eliquids often contain nicotine, it’s definitely something that you should keep in mind.

Ways to Avoid Anxiety Symptoms While Using a Vape Mod

Try to remember that chain-vaping is the most common cause of anxiety symptoms, but there are a few different measures that you can take to avoid this.

Try lowering your nicotine strength or keeping the frequency at which you vape in check. You can also choose to go with a lower-powered vaporizer. High-powered devices and subtanks vaporize the liquid at higher temperatures, resulting in more ingestion of nicotine. By choosing a lower-powered device, you avoid the risk of overdoing it.

Another thing to keep in mind while vaping is making sure to stay hydrated! No, we don’t mean chugging that 2-liter bottle of soda; we’re talking about crystal clear water. Vaping, especially high PG eliquids can dehydrate you over time. Be sure to replenish with lots of water throughout the day!