Anxiety disorders (AD) affect about 40 million adults in the United States alone. Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD) are the most common types of AD.
Regardless of the type, many people with AD share similarities: stress and smoking.
If you’re one of those folks, you might want to try vaping without nicotine for anxiety relief. This guide covers the link between nicotine and AD and how nicotine-free vaping may help, so be sure to read on.
The Link Between Nicotine and Anxiety
On average, each cigarette contains approximately 10 to 12 mg of nicotine. Nicotine, in turn, is a chemical produced by tobacco plants with addictive properties. It’s the key ingredient that makes smoking tobacco cigs addicting.
Nicotine can be addictive because of its short-term stress- and anxiety-reducing effects. It also triggers the brain’s dopamine signals, causing a pleasurable sensation. As a result, people may want to smoke more to feel such effects.
The bad news is that nicotine alters brain functions, leading to withdrawal signs. For example, in between sticks, your anxiety, irritability, and stress will come back. Worse, you may feel even worse than before.
All that may then make you reach out for another stick to try and ease the symptoms.
Electronic Cigarettes and Nicotine Doses
Hon Lik, the man behind the first successful e-cig, supposedly created it as a quit smoking aid. Lik, a pharmacist, was also a smoker whose father, another heavy smoker, died due to lung cancer. That made him want to kick his nicotine addiction and smoking habit.
Since then, e-cigarettes have offered smokers a way to cut back on their nicotine intake. Since these devices vaporize e-liquids, the liquid itself may have no nicotine at all. These nicotine-free e-juices may simply come with a flavor or a taste similar to tobacco.
However, the US Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve e-cigs as a smoking cessation tool. Still, the agency is researching e-cigs as an alternative to harmful nicotine-rich cigarettes. The FDA also says that studies suggest e-cigs may be less harmful than smoking tobacco.
Vaping Without Nicotine for Anxiety and Stress Control
Since nicotine can cause or worsen anxiety and stress, your goal should be to go nicotine-free. So, when you switch from tobacco to a vape pen or vape mod, stick to a low-dose nicotine e-liquid. You might even be able to eliminate nicotine from your system if you go with a zero-nicotine e-juice.
By abstaining from nicotine-rich tobacco, you may be able to quit smoking completely.
Researchers suggest that ditching the habit may help improve mental health. Moreover, they associate tobacco cessation with a considerable decrease in anxiety symptoms.
Help Yourself Become Less Anxious By Vaping Without Nicotine
There you have it, your guide to vaping without nicotine for anxiety and stress control. However, keep in mind that nicotine-free vaping isn’t a cure-all for AD or high-stress levels. It’s only one step, which is why it’s still vital to see a doctor if you feel overly anxious or stressed.
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