Closeup of disposable electronic cigarette in hand

Can Vaping Lead to Anxiety?

E-cigarettes have been the most frequently used tobacco products by young people since 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also called vaping, the use of e-cigarettes — or any tobacco use — is known to harm developing brains. Using products like vaping devices is especially harmful to adolescents, as they are highly addictive and can lead to issues with memory, attention, and learning (via U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 

In 2024, 1 in 20 middle school students reported that they vaped in the past 30 days, and 1 in 5 high school students reported the same (via CDC). And in 2024, over 8 million adults used e-cigarettes, according to another finding from the CDC. Vaping is widely used by children and adults alike.

Vaping differs from smoking in that it heats and vaporizes a liquid that can contain nicotine or cannabis products, resulting in inhaling aerosol particles that can cause lung damage and produce heavy metal toxicity (via Baylor College of Medicine). E-cigarettes can look like regular cigarettes, USB drives, pens, and regular everyday items (via CDC).

While some may think vaping is a safe alternative to smoking, that’s not true. E-cigarettes often contain much higher amounts of nicotine than combustible cigarettes (via Baylor College of Medicine). Since some nicotine cartridges can contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes (like the popular brand JUUL), it’s clear that the dangers of vaping are vast.

So how does vaping relate to anxiety?

Woman smoking an e-cigarette outside

While vaping isn’t necessarily directly related to anxiety, it does have implications for mental health. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, there is a significant association between e-cigarette use and major depressive disorder. And among college students who vape, there is a high prevalence of issues like ADHD, PTSD, gambling disorder, anxiety, low self-esteem, and impulsivity (via a study published in Annals of Clinical Psychiatry).

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In general, the use of any product with nicotine can be harmful to mental health. As individual nicotine use grows and continues, the eventual nicotine withdrawal increases feelings of stress and anxiety (via SmokeFree). It can also exacerbate symptoms of depression, as nicotine “interrupts the cerebral dopamine pathway” (via Baylor College of Medicine). However, these negative effects of nicotine use on mental health can potentially be reduced. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, it was observed that mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress improved when users quit nicotine products. 

Lesa O'Leary
Lesa O'Leary

Lesa is a dynamic member of OzHelp’s Service Delivery Team as the Service Delivery Team Leader and Nurse. She has been with OzHelp for five years and believes in leading by example. Lesa has experience in the not-for-profit sector, as well as many roles throughout different industries and sectors, including as a contractor to the Department of Defence. She has expertise in delivering OzHelp’s health and wellbeing programs and engaging with clients in a relaxed and comfortable manner that aligns with the organisation’s vision and objectives.

Lesa has a Certificate 4 in Nursing from Wodonga Tafe, Certificate 4 in Mental Health from Open Colleges, and is currently undertaking a Certificate 4 in Training and Assessment from Tafe NSW. For the past few months Lesa has been an Education and Memberships committee member of the ACT Branch of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).