Is Vaping Bad for You? Here’s What You Need to Know

Yes, vaping is bad for you. But it really depends on what you're vaping. Some vapes are way less harmful than others, and there are even nicotine-free options that can help you get an energy boost or a great night’s sleep.

In this article, we’ll break down what we know about vaping vs. traditional smoking, the potential benefits, side effects, and how to choose a healthier vape.

Is Vaping Bad For You?

The dangerous thing about vaping is that you could be inhaling a cocktail of potentially harmful chemicals. Nicotine, diacetyl, and Vitamin E acetate could put you at risk for addiction and respiratory illnesses like EVALI. But there are cleaner, nicotine-free vapes that offer a safer alternative.

For example, our HELO Energy vapes are made with simple, clean ingredients like organic fruit extracts for natural flavor, and pure, naturally-sourced caffeine for energy. We don’t include any known harmful substances and they’re 100% nicotine-free so you never have to worry about becoming dependent on nicotine.

So if you’re looking for something safer than a nicotine vape, we recommend trying a wellness vape before cigarettes. This way, you can manage your nicotine cravings and find a natural boost that helps you power through your day without the risks.

Shop HELO caffeine vape pens here

Is Vaping Worse Than Smoking Cigarettes?

We still don’t know for sure if vaping is worse than regular cigarettes. There’s just not enough long-term research yet. For now, the experts say that vaping exposes you to fewer harmful chemicals than smoking, but other studies suggest that the effects on your body could be similar for both.

Until researchers gather more long-term data, we won’t truly know the lasting effects vaping may have on the body. So let’s get into what we do know:

There are a host of diseases that cigarette smoking puts you at increased risk for, like lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. On the flip side, vaping with Vitamin E acetate or diacetyl may cause EVALI — a disease which can lead to symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, nausea, and fatigue. One important thing vaping doesn’t do, though, is produce secondhand smoke, which makes it less harmful to those around you.

As for addiction, vaping with nicotine is just as addictive as cigarettes. It’s actually easier to overuse a nicotine vape, since you don’t always have to wait for the right time to light up, and the vape’s effects can feel more immediate, making it harder to keep track of how much you're actually consuming.

If you're curious to learn more, here are some of the studies we're talking about:

• There are fewer harmful chemicals in vaping, but lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping are on the rise, experts say. Read more here
• Vaping has been shown to affect your lungs and heart in ways similar to smoking. But, more research is needed to understand its effects long-term. Read more here

So, while we can’t say for sure there are no long-term risks with vaping, it’s pretty clear that it exposes you and the people around you to fewer harmful chemicals than smoking — especially in the short-term. That said, vaping with nicotine is still highly addictive. The good news is there are safer ways to vape, and we'll dive into those benefits next.

What Are the Benefits of Switching From Cigarettes to Vaping?

If you're looking to cut back on toxins, vaping instead of smoking is definitely a good place to start. But the real benefits come when you use vaping as a tool to quit nicotine altogether and break free from the addiction for good.

By starting with a vape that has a higher nicotine level and slowly switching to lower nicotine options with each new vape, you can reduce your cravings over time.

Vaping satisfies the need to keep something in your hand or mouth. Overcoming oral fixation is a big part of a successful smoking cessation plan. Nicotine-free vaping is a way to enjoy the physical aspect of smoking without taking in harmful chemicals.

If you're not a smoker, the best advice we can give you is simple: don’t start. But we know there are many reasons people pick up a vape for the first time, and if you do choose to vape, there are ways to do it safely.

There are dozens of wellness vapes you could try that focus on things like reducing stress, improving focus, or helping you sleep — depending on what you're looking for. Unlike traditional nicotine vapes, wellness vapes offer a safer way to meet your needs without the addictive risks. Our HELO Energy vapes, for instance, are perfect for boosting your energy in the morning or throughout the day, providing a great alternative to using nicotine as a stimulant.

What Are the Side Effects of Vaping?

Like we said before, vaping still has its risks, even if you’re choosing the “safer” option. Most side effects are pretty mild, but some people can end up with more serious health issues, especially if they’re using certain ingredients or vaping long-term. Here’s what you should look out for:

Coughing and Throat Irritation

Coughing and throat irritation are two of the most common side effects of vaping. In some people, even short, shallow puffs can cause a coughing spell.

Lung Damage

Inhaling anything other than air into your lungs can put you at an increased risk for lung damage. Depending on what’s in your vape juice, you could expose yourself to potentially dangerous chemicals like diacetyl and Vitamin E acetate, increasing your risk for lung diseases like popcorn lung, bronchitis, and EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury).

Nausea, Headache, and Dizziness

Vaping can cause nausea, dizziness, or headaches. Depending on what’s in your vape juice, the effects can be very mild or more severe.

Allergic Reactions

If you have a sensitivity to any of the ingredients in your vape juice, you may experience an allergic reaction. Some people experience mild symptoms like rash and skin irritation, while some experience more severe effects like shortness of breath.

Nicotine Addiction

Vaping with nicotine can lead to nicotine addiction and, in turn, all of the side effects that nicotine use can cause. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can affect your respiratory system, increase blood pressure, damage your mouth and gums, and put you at increased risk for lung and cardiovascular diseases.

Behavioral Addiction

While nicotine-free vapes are not addictive in the traditional sense, repeated use may lead to a behavioral addiction like an oral fixation or a hand-to-mouth habit. If you’ve never smoked cigarettes or vaped before, it’s best not to start.

How to Choose a Healthy Vape

When picking a healthy vape, it’s all about checking the ingredients. You want to go for vapes that use natural, plant-based ingredients and stay away from harmful stuff like diacetyl or Vitamin E acetate, which can seriously mess with your lungs.

If you can, choose nicotine-free vapes to avoid addiction and the damage nicotine can do to your heart and lungs. There are many healthy vape alternatives on the market that contain things like CBD, melatonin, or caffeine to help with stress, energy, or sleep without all the extra chemicals.

Also, make sure you’re choosing a brand you trust. Look for companies that are upfront about what’s in their products and how they’re made. A good brand will tell you exactly what you’re inhaling. If you’re trying to quit smoking, go for a vape that aligns with your goals – whether that’s reducing nicotine or just having a healthier alternative. And remember, even with the best vapes, moderation is key.

Where to Buy a Healthy Vape

No vape is 100% safe, but if you're looking for a healthier option, vapes like our MELO and HELO diffusers are a great choice. They come with zero risk of nicotine addiction, making them a much safer alternative to vapes that contain addictive freebase nicotine or nicotine salts.

You can shop MELO and HELO vapes right here.