Doctor warns vaping is ‘more addictive’ than smoking cigarettes
Vaping is supposed to help wean you off smoking, but Dr Sara Kayat warned it could be more addictive than cigarettes.
Dr Sara says vaping can be 'more addictive' than cigarettes
As more research comes out about the health dangers of vaping, now Dr Sara has confirmed the habit "can be more addictive" than smoking cigarettes.
On Monday, August 21, Dr Sara explained vaping involves "heating up a formulation which has nicotine in it".
During her regular segment on ITV's This Morning, Dr Sara said: "Often, the nicotine found within vapes can be significantly higher than those in cigarettes."
The doctor then stated vaping "can be even more addictive" compared to smoking cigarettes.
How is nicotine addictive?
The Mayo Clinic points out that nicotine goes straight to the brain; the chemical releases the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Dopamine is the "reward centre of the brain" that causes feelings of pleasure and improved mood.
The more you smoke – whether it be vaping or cigarettes – the more nicotine you need to feel good.
Director of clinical research at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mr Michael Blaha, warned nicotine is "highly addictive".
The "toxic substance" raises blood pressure and spikes adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the risk of a heart attack.
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While the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes are well-known, there is now evidence linking vaping to chronic lung disease and asthma.
Mr Blaha said people who vape are exposing themselves to "all kinds of chemicals that we don’t yet understand and that are probably not safe".
Stop smoking aids
The NHS stresses: "Willpower is important when you're stopping smoking, but it's easier when combined with some extra support."
Smoking cessation tools include:
- Nicotine replacement therapies
- Prescription-only medicines.
Nicotine replacement therapies include patches, sprays, gum and lozenges.
These all give you hits of nicotine, which can help ease the withdrawal periods when you give up smoking.
"When you feel ready, you can reduce your dose gradually and eventually stop," the NHS says.
"You can ask a doctor or pharmacist for more advice on what's right for you."