New Study: Link Between Teen Vaping and Poor Mental Health
A new study from the American Heart Association – a survey of about 2,500 teens and young adults ages 13-24 – found those who vape are more likely to report systems of anxiety and depression, CBS News reports.
According to the CDC, 2.5 Million + middle and high schoolers reported using e-cigarette products in 2022. More than a quarter (27.6%) were daily users.
The American Heart Association study found that 25% of teens surveyed said they used vaping to “relieve stress.” However, 60% of nicotine-only users and 70% who vaped THC products reported experiencing anxiety. 50% of users felt depressed, and disturbingly, 50% of teens reported suicidal thoughts.
CBS News talked with Dr. Loren Wold, professor and associate dean of research at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Excerpts from that conversation follow:
What’s your reaction to the study?
“We really didn’t appreciate the association between vaping, both with nicotine and/or with THC, and the potential implications for mental health challenges, particularly in youth and young adults. This study has brought to light the underreported association between vaping and mental health challenges. What we need to now focus on is looking at: is this a causative factor?”
“Are the users using vaping to combat the feelings of depression, anxiety, etc. or is it potentially the vaping causing the issues with mental health?”
What’s your instinct about this causal relationship?
“There’s a lot of research with vaping on nicotine. Vaping with THC is really a new use of the product. We really don’t know the causative nature.”
“We do know [from prior studies] that vaping is associated with changes in brain chemistry, changes in neurocognitive function, but this is the first comprehensive study in this population of users showing the potential issue with vaping causing mental health challenges.”
Why are teens turning to vaping in such big numbers?
“Part of the issue is marketing by the companies … making it look as an exciting, fun thing to do, a normal thing that’s being done. These products are being offered in the local markets on the shelves, the availability is there. Others are doing it. There are the issues of peer pressure as well as … the normalization of these behaviors. And then the ability to hide them, if you will. My colleagues who work in high schools and middle schools find students hiding in the bathroom every day using these products.”
What’s your advice for parents on this issue?
“My advice would be that we need to begin to talk about these issues. Are the youth experiencing depression symptoms, symptoms of anxiety? … We know that vaping has significant issues with the lungs as well as the heart. The unfortunate reality is when these young adults are beginning to use the products at such a young age, what are the implications later in life? These products are new…. We just don’t know what the implications are for future health and for future health of offspring.”
Listen to the interview at CBSNews.com.
Read the American Heart Association study or learn more about vaping here.