Smoking seems like an easy way to help calm down your nerves. You light up a cigarette and with a few puffs, you don’t feel as anxious anymore.
But that effect is only temporary. Once the nicotine in your cigarette works through your system, that’s it. Smoking will never be a cure for anxiety and could, in fact, worsen your symptoms.
If you’re so used to lighting up though you may be wondering if vaping is a better alternative. Here, we’ll talk about vaping for anxiety and what the experts have to say on the matter.
Vaping for Anxiety: What’s the Real Deal?
You have to look at the effects of nicotine to fully understand the link between vaping and anxiety. Remember, you have the option to vape nicotine-free e-juices such as Strawberry Watermelon Bubblegum on Ice or Frozen Lime Drop. And these won’t cause anxiety symptoms or make them worse.
But if you prefer e-liquids with nicotine in them, you need to know that nicotine has been associated with increased chances of anxiety disorders. This has something to do with the effects of nicotine on neurotransmitter systems. But the exact mechanism is still unknown to researchers.
So Does Vaping Help with Anxiety?
If you know that nicotine is bad for your anxiety, then why not just vape nicotine-free e-juices? You’ll still feel like you’re smoking but without the negative health effects. Right?
The problem with this is supposing that you can quit nicotine just like that. Don’t forget that there is such a thing as nicotine addiction. If you’ve developed nicotine dependence through years of smoking, vaping nicotine-free e-liquids will only make the withdrawal symptoms worse.
What you can do is to use vaping as a smoking cessation tool. You’ll still vape with nicotine. But you’ll gradually taper off your dosage.
When you get to that point where you don’t crave nicotine as much or at all, you can start vaping nicotine-free e-juices. Without nicotine in your system, you can at least say for certain that vaping has nothing at all to do with your anxiety.
But remember, vaping isn’t a solution for anxiety. If it helps you quit smoking and reduce your stress levels, great. Everything else such as how to deal with difficult people and situations, you’ll have to work on with your therapist and support group.
Final Thoughts on Vaping and Anxiety
If you’re thinking of vaping for anxiety, you shouldn’t go into it thinking it will cure your condition. Anxiety is a complex disorder that requires professional help. You should see a doctor who can refer you to a therapist and prescribe the right meds.
But if you’re thinking of vaping as an aid to help you quit smoking, remember to do it right. Don’t try to vape nicotine-free e-juices as it’s the same as quitting cold turkey.
You might make your nicotine withdrawal symptoms worse. And of course, this could trigger your anxiety symptoms. Taper your dosage gradually until you can be nicotine-free.
For more tips and advice on quitting smoking and healthy living, check out 6 Ways How to Use Vaping to Quit Smoking and 5 Amazing Essential Oils to Quit Smoking.