Vaping is often seen by many as the 'healthier' alternative to smoking, especially in versions without nicotine, but a new scientific study has shown quite the opposite in some ways.
Vapes and e-cigarettes have exploded in popularity over the past few years, especially after the introduction of disposable variants in a number of different flavors.
The ease of use and supposed health benefits compared to actual cigarettes has led many to believe they're making a positive health change when switching to vapes, but it's proven to not be quite as black and white as that.
Studies have shown the harmful effects of vaping on your brain, the vulnerability of users to what's now being called 'popcorn lung', and the harmful production and testing of vapes in factories - but a new study has further added to the pile.
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Scientific research conducted by Dr. Marianna Nabbout at the University of Pennsylvania has identified the effects of smoking and e-cigarettes on your vascular function, which is the ability to carry oxygenated blood throughout your body.
31 different healthy smokers and e-cigarette users aged between 21 and 49 were included in the study, which involved three sessions which were preceded and followed with an MRI scan.
The three sessions involved the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes with nicotine, and then e-cigarettes without nicotine, with a cuff placed on the upper thigh to restrict blood flow.
After each session the cuff was then deflated, and scientists measured the speed of blood flow in the femoral artery, alongside venous oxygen saturation - which evaluates the amount of oxygen that returns to the heart after circulating throughout the body.
This data was then directly compared to collected information from scans of non-smokers aged from 21 to 33 years old.
Shockingly, these studies not only indicated a significant decrease in the resting blood flow of the femoral artery, but the biggest effects were seen following the inhalation of nicotine-infused vapes, and then e-cigarettes without nicotine.
It was also indicated that there was a decrease in venous oxygen saturation following the use of vapes, which shows that less oxygen is consumed by the lungs.
It's definitely something to think about next time you reach for a vape, as there are areas where it's actually more harmful than a cigarette - especially just after you inhale.
This doesn't mean that you should smoke cigarettes instead, however, as Dr. Nabbout explains: "Ultimately, we are relying on science to help guide the regulation of such products in favor of public health. Refraining from smoking and vaping is always recommended."
It's just another thing to consider in a long list of health risks when it comes to e-cigarettes, and with the recent rise of regulation we might perhaps see things become more controlled in the coming years.