Goodbye vaping: withdrawal symptoms to watch out for, according to experts

Smoking is a public health problem worldwide, and the use of vaping devices (e-cigarettes) as a supposedly less harmful alternative has increased significantly among young people in Spain. In the absence of concrete figures (there has not yet been enough time to draw scientific conclusions), experts offer some guidelines and information on the possible consequences.

The first and most important of these is that vapes, which heat a liquid solution containing nicotine , are also addictive . Many people, eager to quit smoking traditional cigarettes, switch to vaping, even though they are unaware of the medium- and long-term effects of this practice, which also leads to the inhalation of toxic substances.

What if vapes aren't the solution to quitting smoking?

Although some people are entering the world of heated 'smoke' generated by vapers as a first option (because of the social ritual, because of fashion), the majority start vaping in an attempt to leave aside the traditional cigarette , which has more than proven its harmful and carcinogenic effects on health.

Although vaping doesn't burn tobacco, but rather a heated liquid, it generates a type of vapor that is inhaled through the lungs and contains nicotine, flavorings, and other dangerous chemicals such as diacetyl, or heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead.

Therefore, given the lack of scientific evidence , it's far from clear that vaping is the most advisable intermediate step toward quitting smoking. Among other things, those who vape report a significantly higher frequency of smoking. Since they contain nicotine, the most addictive substance in traditional cigarettes, toxicity is guaranteed.

The danger of disposable vapes, even greater

In some countries , the use of disposable vapes, which offer a single use, has been banned . The rest are being monitored until conclusive results are achieved, which in some cases could even be worse than those of traditional cigarettes (and that's saying something).

Regarding the suitability of using vapes to quit smoking cigarettes, experts warn that it is not a solution with proven "beneficial" consequences. Furthermore, there is a group of citizens who want to gradually quit vaping and shake off the nicotine addiction, which is not easy to achieve. This action generates a series of withdrawal symptoms that could even cause them to return to traditional tobacco.

These are the withdrawal symptoms of cutting back on vaping.

When you stop using nicotine vapes, your body may react as it adjusts to the absence of this toxic and addictive substance. While reactions vary from person to person, the most common withdrawal symptoms often include difficulty falling and staying asleep . Sleep is essential for maintaining health.

Another consequence of quitting vaping is a general feeling of weakness, uncontrollable irritability , and even the urge to vape or smoke even more. Difficulty concentrating on daily tasks and an extreme feeling of hunger complete the list of withdrawal symptoms.

Among the tips for managing this syndrome, experts recommend gradually reducing the nicotine content of e-liquid ; trying to change the frequency of vaping, gradually spacing out the habit (every 40 minutes instead of every 20, for example); and practicing patience with an eye toward the ultimate goal, which is to kick the habit and protect ourselves against very serious illnesses caused by the substances we inhale with a vape.