A recent study reveals that vaping, like smoking, has an immediate negative impact on blood flow, even when the vape doesn’t contain nicotine. This finding raises further concerns about the safety of e-cigarettes and their potential health risks.
The study, published by the Radiological Society of North America, investigated the effects of smoking and vaping on the body. Researchers used phase-contrast MRI to examine blood flow in the brains of 31 healthy smokers and vapers aged 21 to 49. The results showed that using e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, decreased venous oxygen saturation. This indicates that the lungs are taking in less oxygen, a concerning finding that mirrors the effects of traditional cigarettes.
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The research team, led by Dr. Marianne Nabbout, a radiology resident at the University of Arkansas, compared these scans to baseline scans of 10 non-smokers and non-vapers. The participants underwent MRI exams before and after using tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes with nicotine, and e-cigarettes without nicotine. The non-smokers provided baseline scans at each visit. Consistently, vaping led to reduced oxygen levels in the blood returning to the heart, regardless of nicotine presence.
Dr. Nabbout emphasized that even nicotine-free vapes may contain harmful components, contributing to the significant negative effects observed. She cautioned against the misconception that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes, stating that this belief is untrue. The study’s findings highlight the potential dangers of vaping, even in the absence of nicotine.
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Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, who was not involved in the study, found the impact of nicotine-free vapes particularly intriguing. He suggested that certain ingredients in e-cigarettes might cause airway irritation and inflammation, affecting the entire body similar to particle pollution. He highlighted the limited knowledge about the long-term effects of e-cigarette ingredients on lungs and blood vessels.
The study aims to inform regulators about the potential health risks of vaping and guide decisions on product regulation. Dr. Nabbout stressed the importance of recognizing that vaping, even without nicotine, is not harmless due to exposure to toxic chemicals. The ultimate goal, she emphasized, is to rely on scientific evidence to protect public health. The clear recommendation remains: refraining from both smoking and vaping.
