Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among teenagers and young adults. Many people believe vaping is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. But what happens when you stop vaping after using e-cigarettes on a regular basis?
How does vaping affect the body?
Vaping introduces nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals into the lungs. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and it can lead to dependence even when used in vaping. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes also contains tiny particles that can irritate the lungs.
Some of the short-term effects of vaping include:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Lung irritation and coughing
- Mouth and throat irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea
The long-term effects of vaping are still being researched, but potential risks include:
- Higher risk of heart attack and stroke
- Lung damage and chronic lung disorders like COPD
- Increased risk of seizures
- Changes in brain development in teenagers
The risk of these effects likely depends on how much and how often someone vapes. More research is needed on the long-term impact.
What happens when you stop vaping?
Quitting vaping after regular use results in some side effects, mostly related to nicotine withdrawal. This happens because the body gets used to functioning with nicotine. When nicotine levels drop after stopping vaping, it causes withdrawal symptoms.
Some symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include:
- Strong cravings for nicotine
- Increased appetite
- Anxiety, depression, or irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness or trouble sleeping
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Nausea
These withdrawal effects can begin within a few hours of the last vape session. They peak within the first few days and usually last 1-3 weeks. However, cravings for nicotine can persist for months. The severity and length of nicotine withdrawal depends on:
- How much and how often someone was vaping
- The nicotine content in the vape products
- Individual factors like genetics, sex, and age
Here is a more detailed timeline of what to expect when you stop vaping:
| Time after quitting | Withdrawal symptoms |
|---|---|
| 20 minutes | Heart rate and blood pressure start to return to normal |
| 2-12 hours | Nicotine cravings intensify. Anxiety, irritation, and headache may begin. |
| 1-3 days | Withdrawal symptoms peak. Cravings, mood swings, and trouble sleeping are common. |
| 1 week | Physical withdrawal starts to decline but cravings still persist. Symptoms like coughing may get worse as lungs recover. |
| 2-4 weeks | Withdrawal symptoms begin to stabilize and side effects lessen. |
| 1-6 months | Cravings for nicotine and urges to vape continue but are less intense. |
It takes time for brain receptors damaged by nicotine to heal. While physical withdrawal ends after a few weeks, psychological recovery takes longer. Cravings and urges to vape can still happen months after quitting.
Tips for managing nicotine withdrawal
Quitting vaping cold turkey works for some people, but most need support and tools to help with withdrawal. Here are some tips for managing symptoms:
- Pick a quit date and make a plan. Gradual reduction can ease the transition.
- Tell friends and family to help hold you accountable.
- Remove vaping paraphernalia like e-cigarettes and juices from your home.
- Identify your vape triggers like driving or drinking alcohol. Find alternatives and avoid these triggers.
- Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest during the quitting process.
- Try nicotine replacement products like gum, patches, lozenges, etc. They provide nicotine without the harmful smoke.
- Consider medication. Prescriptions like varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Zyban) can reduce cravings.
- Get counseling or join a support group. Behavioral therapy helps with the psychological dependence.
- Avoid people who vape or smoke and don’t substitute with other tobacco products.
- Stay busy to keep your mind off vaping. Exercise, read, socialize, or take up a new hobby.
Having a support system and using coping strategies can help you push through the difficult early stages of withdrawal. Over time, the symptoms will subside.
How your body recovers after quitting vaping
The nasty withdrawal symptoms make the vaping quitting process extremely challenging. But staying stopped can have huge benefits for your body and health in both the short and long-term.
After 20 minutes
Just 20 minutes after your last vape, your heart rate and blood pressure start trending down toward normal levels. The stimulatory effects of nicotine wear off rapidly.
After 2 weeks
Two weeks after becoming vape-free, your heart attack risk begins to drop and lung function may improve by up to 30%. Blood circulation and oxygen levels increase.
After 1-9 months
One study found coughing and shortness of breath declined steadily in ex-smokers. After 9 months, lungs regained capacity equivalent to smoking 5 fewer cigarettes per day. More time vape-free means less lung damage.
After 1 year
Your risk of heart disease is half that of an active smoker. After ditching vaping for a year, your lungs are better able to filter out toxins. The delicate cilia in the airways recover from any damage caused by vaping.
After 5 years
Five years after quitting smoking, the risk of stroke falls to the same level as a nonsmoker. For ex-vapers, the risk of stroke and heart attack continues decreasing the longer you abstain from vaping.
After 10 years
Your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of a smoker’s. Precancerous cells in the lungs caused by vaping can be reversed when you quit smoking and vaping. The risk of other cancers like mouth and throat cancer also declines.
Does vaping damage heal completely?
The lungs have a remarkable ability to heal themselves when given the chance. After quitting vaping, the lungs are able to clear out tar and toxins, repair damaged air sacs, and grow back cilia in the airways.
But there may be some residual damage:
- With heavy vaping, the risk of developing COPD remains higher than nonsmokers.
- Severe lung damage like emphysema may not heal even after quitting.
- The lungs can regenerate and recover function, but some scarring in the deepest tissues may persist.
So while healing is possible after quitting vaping, it depends on the extent of damage and your body’s ability to recover. Quitting before experiencing permanent injury gives your lungs the best chance to heal.
Conclusion
Quitting vaping can be extremely challenging because of both the nicotine dependence as well as the behavioral habits. But overcoming those first few weeks of withdrawal leads to amazing health benefits.
Almost immediately after quitting, your heart function and circulation start improving. Over time, persistent coughing and shortness of breath decrease as lung capacity increases. Most importantly, your risks for lung cancer, heart attack, stroke, and other conditions drop dramatically.
While vapers may experience some long-lasting effects, especially with heavy use, the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself when vaping stops. So take it one day at a time, get support, and stick with your commitment to quit vaping. Your body will thank you.