Research shows that vaping is harmful to both mental and physical health. New studies link vaping and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, psychosis, and eating disorders. Yet many young people don’t see vaping as risky—one-third believe it’s no worse than coffee. They often miss how vaping affects mental health until it’s too late.
If you’re in Atlanta, GA and worried about vaping’s toll on your mood or your teen’s well-being, outpatient mental health treatment can offer support. Understanding how vaping impacts your brain and body can help you make informed choices and find help when you need it.
What Percent of College Students Vape?
Vape products—also called e-cigarettes—are now the most popular tobacco items among U.S. college students. Around 75% of tobacco-using students vape, compared to 42% who smoke traditional cigarettes. That means three out of four students choosing nicotine pick vaping over smoking — a stark shift in habits.
The Monitoring the Future survey found vaping among young adults has tripled since 2017. Back then, only 6% vaped nicotine; today it’s 16%. Even more startling, marijuana vaping doubled from 6% to 12% in the same period. That surge mirrors rising pot use overall: levels now match or exceed any point since MTF first tracked them in 1988.
Digging deeper, vaping rates differ by demographic:
- Gender gaps: Men vape at slightly higher rates than women, but the difference is narrowing.
- Racial trends: White and Hispanic students report higher e-cigarette use than Black students, though rates are rising across all groups.
- Campus culture: Schools with larger Greek-life presence often see higher vaping rates, thanks to social norms and peer influence.
Understanding how widespread vaping is on college campuses highlights the need to discuss how vaping affects mental health before patterns cement into adulthood.
Why Do Young Adults Vape?
Vaping appeals to teens and college students for many reasons:
- Curiosity: Bright devices and flavored liquids spark initial interest.
- Peer pressure: Friends or roommates who vape can make it seem normal, even cool.
- Flavor variety: Candy, fruit, and dessert flavors feel safer and more fun than smoky tobacco.
- Stress relief: Many use vaping to cope with school pressure, social anxiety, or family issues.
- Smoking cessation: Some start vaping hoping to quit cigarettes, but end up using both—known as “dual use.”
- Perceived safety: A common myth is that vaping is harmless compared to smoking.
- Accessibility: Vapes are easy to buy online or slip into a pocket, making them more convenient than lighters and packs.
Although some see vaping as a tool to quit cigarettes, evidence shows it often backfires. Dual use can sustain nicotine addiction, and the high nicotine levels in modern pods make quitting vape devices just as hard. Recognizing these drivers can help families and counselors address motivations before dependence takes hold.
Perception of Vaping Risk Among Young Adults
Young adults generally underestimate vaping’s harms—especially regarding mental health.
In a 2023 survey:
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Only 25% strongly agreed e-cigarettes pose negative health effects.
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33% believed nicotine from a vape is as harmless as a cup of coffee.
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More than 12% thought nicotine only becomes addictive when smoked.
While most knew vaping raises lung and heart risks, less than half recognized its link to seizures, thanks to toxins like nickel, tin, lead, and flavoring chemicals. Even fewer understood how vaping affects mental health—only 30–50% could name depression or anxiety as potential consequences.
This gap in awareness comes from marketing and social media influencers portraying vaping as a benign or trendy activity. Without clear education on how vaping and mental health intersect, young people may chase short-term relief, unaware of long-term fallout.
How Does Vaping Affect Your Body?
Although vaping is often billed as safer than smoking, it still carries both short- and long-term effects on physical and mental health.
The Short-Term Effects of Vaping
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Addiction
Nicotine rivals heroin and cocaine in addictiveness. Many pods now contain extra-strength cartridges, accelerating dependence. -
Lung irritation
Users often report shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and low-grade fevers shortly after vaping. -
Immune response
Propylene glycol (PG), a common vape liquid base, can inflame airways. Some vapers develop sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, or even pneumonia-like symptoms. -
Oral issues
Nicotine reduces gum blood flow and nutrition. Acid reflux from nicotine can erode tooth enamel, leading to cavities and gum disease. -
Sleep disturbances
Nicotine’s stimulant effects disturb sleep cycles, causing insomnia, restlessness, and daytime fatigue. -
Lung injury
Young adults who vape cannabis risk EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, associated lung injury). A 2020 study linked vapers to a 5–7× greater chance of severe COVID-19 symptoms due to pre-existing lung damage. -
Popcorn lung
Diacetyl—a buttery flavoring chemical—can scar small airways, leading to irreversible “bronchiolitis obliterans.” -
Immediate nausea
High-dose THC vapes or nicotine can trigger nausea, vomiting, and dizziness within minutes of inhalation.
Understanding these short-term reactions can motivate users to reconsider vaping before long-term damage sets in.
The Long-Term Effects of Vaping
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Cardiovascular strain
Nicotine spikes blood pressure and adrenaline, increasing heart rate and risk of heart attack. Flavoring chemicals can damage endothelial cells lining blood vessels. -
Brain development
In young adults, nicotine disrupts brain chemistry, especially in regions controlling mood, impulse control, attention, and learning. Lead from faulty coils adds neurotoxicity risks. -
Chronic lung disease
Frequent vaping may progress to chronic bronchitis, emphysema-like symptoms, or reduced lung capacity over time. -
Cancer risk
A Pediatrics study found vapers excrete high levels of carcinogens like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in their urine. -
Immune suppression
Persistent inhalation of ultra-fine particles may impair alveolar macrophages, weakening lung defenses and raising infection risk. -
Gastrointestinal issues
Nicotine’s impact on gut motility can cause chronic acid reflux, ulcers, or gastritis long term. -
Nutritional deficiencies
Vaping’s appetite-suppressing effects may lead to unbalanced diets, compounding risks for teens and young adults.
While vaping may seem like a less harsh alternative to smoking, these potential long-term harms reveal it’s far from harmless.
How Does Vaping Affect Mental Health?
The mental health implications of vaping often fly under the radar. Many start using e-cigarettes to ease stress, anxiety, or depression. Yet science shows vaping can worsen these conditions, creating a vicious cycle.
Vaping Affects Mental Health via Nicotine’s Brain Impact
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Dopamine dysregulation: Nicotine spikes dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical. Repeated surges force your brain to adapt, dulling natural dopamine production. Over time, you need nicotine just to feel normal, setting the stage for anxiety and low mood when you skip a session.
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Withdrawal blues: Quitting or cutting back triggers nicotine withdrawal—headaches, irritability, depression, and intense cravings. These symptoms make users less likely to stop and can worsen existing mental health issues.
Vaping and Anxiety
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Temporary relief vs. chronic stress: While a quick vape session might calm nerves initially, nicotine’s stimulant nature ultimately boosts heart rate and stress hormones, feeding anxiety in the long run.
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Comorbidity: Studies of 3,500 college students found e-cigarette users were more likely to have anxiety disorders, ADHD, and substance abuse issues.
Vaping and Depression
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Bidirectional link: Depressed students are 34% more likely to vape. Conversely, frequent vaping can trigger or deepen depressive symptoms by disrupting neurotransmitters and coping skills development.
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Poor coping strategies: Young people who lean on vaping instead of therapy, exercise, or social support miss out on healthier ways to manage low mood.
Vaping and Psychosis
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THC potency: Vaping THC exposes users to much higher concentrations than smoking flower—up to 52% THC versus 13%. That jump raises psychosis risk by over six times compared to non-users.
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Long-term risk: Early, heavy THC vaping is linked to a greater chance of developing schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders later in life.
Vaping and Eating Disorders
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Appetite suppression: Nicotine can curb hunger, tempting people with body image concerns to vape as a weight-loss tool.
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Emotional regulation: Those with eating disorders often struggle to manage feelings. They may use vaping to self-soothe, reinforcing unhealthy patterns.
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Elevated risk: Among 51,000 college students, 6% of frequent vapers had diagnosed eating disorders, and 30% faced high risk—far above non-vapers.
Addressing the Underlying Causes of Vaping and Mental Health Symptoms in Young Adults
Most young adults start vaping to cope with stress, trauma, or mental health struggles. Quitting vaping is vital for physical health, but lasting change also means treating root issues.
Effective outpatient mental health treatment in Atlanta focuses on:
- Trauma-informed care: Recognizing past wounds that drive substance use.
- Integrated therapy: Combining cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and family counseling to build healthy coping skills.
- Lifestyle interventions: Promoting sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise to stabilize mood and reduce cravings.
- Peer support: Joining groups where young adults share experiences and accountability.
- Clinical monitoring: Tracking mood, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms to adjust treatment promptly.
At Hooked on Hope Mental Health in Atlanta, GA, we help young people tap into strengths and passions. Our programs blend clinical therapy with experiential activities—outdoor adventures, creative arts, and mindfulness—to spark real change. Participants walk away with proven strategies to manage stress, resist cravings, and nurture lasting mental wellness.
Vaping may seem like a quick fix for stress, but the hidden toll on your mental health can be steep. From mood swings and anxiety to depression, psychosis, and eating disorders, the risks pile up fast. Recognizing how vaping affects mental health empowers you to make better choices and seek help when you need it.
If vaping has taken a toll on you or someone you love, don’t wait for things to get worse. Contact Hooked on Hope Mental Health in Atlanta, GA at 470-287-1927 or via our online contact form, today to explore outpatient mental health treatment in Atlanta and start your journey to recovery and resilience.