"Vaping Marijuana vs. Vaping Nicotine" Understanding the Differences, Risks, and Health Impacts

Electronic cigarettes are on the rise because it is a healthier method of administering smokeless products such as marijuana and nicotine as opposed to conventional smoking. However, the main action of the electronic cigarette is connected with inhalation and even though vaping marijuana and vaping nicotine are two different practices, there are considerable differences between the two about, the impact, danger, and health effects.

Vaping Marijuana and Vaping Nicotine

Vaping Marijuana

Marijuana is a natural plant, which is derived from cannabis and has several active chemicals; out of which (THC) Tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most famous. THC is for the psychoactive reaction often referred to as the ‘high’ which brings about feelings of relaxation, euphoria, or distortion of time, tastes, smells, sounds, etc. This is associated with the euphoric or psychoactive effect or the ‘high’ while CBD is non-psychoactive and is used for medicinal purposes. There are several ways to ingest marijuana the common methods of use are through smoking, taking Marijuana edibles, and vaping using vaporizers.

Vaping Nicotine

When a person vapes, it is the substance being inhaled that creates the stimulation and this depends on the e-liquids used nicotine. Although it may provide impulse arousal and attentiveness at times, it leads to nicotine addiction and other health troubles like; cardiovascular diseases and respiratory problems. Every pod mod device working in the intake of nicotine produces an aerosol resulting from a liquid that contains nicotine, flavor, and other additives that evaporate when heated.

Risks and Health Impacts

Vaping Marijuana

Inhalation of marijuana vapor is likely to produce different reactions in the body and to the mind as well. This includes chances of having a high pulse rate, red or swollen conjunctiva, dry or taut feeling in the mouth, and poor muscle coordination. In addition, problems related to memory, working capacity, and decision-making may occur. Also, some people may develop conditions of anxiety or paranoia, more so, where they have used products that contain high levels of THC. Marijuana is known to have medicinal use for patients in need but on the other side has negative impacts and creates dependence when taken as a recreational drug.

Common effects include

• Euphoria and Relaxation: The state of euphoria, of feeling good, or even the mere pleasant state of chill which is often referred to as a ‘high’.

• Altered Perception: increased sensitivity of the physical sensations in the body, altered time perception, and in some instances, a moderate distortion of reality or hallucinations.

• Increased Appetite: It is also referred to as ‘the munchies’ whereby the user may experience the urge to eat often.

• Anxiety or Paranoia: Some of those common but minor effects are anxiety or paranoia which is more likely to be affected by the users of high THC products particularly if they take high potency doses.

Vaping Nicotine

The consequences of vaping nicotine are different from vaping marijuana because the latter contains stimulant properties in it. It is important to note that like any other tobacco product, vaping raises the rate of heartbeat and blood pressure, vaping leads to constriction of the blood vessels besides the release of adrenaline because of nicotine effects making nicotine very addictive. In most cases, nicotine is highly detrimental to a person’s well-being, but nicotine from vaping is capable of causing cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and other diseases. However, nicotine has the attribute of creating dependency and so those individuals who take it, if they stop taking it, will find some adverse effects on their body.t on it and hence experience withdrawal symptoms whenever they are trying to quit.

Effects of Vaping Nicotine

• Increased Alertness and Concentration: Nicotine is well noted to affect the central nervous system whereby it brings about sharpening of focus and high clarity levels.

• Relaxation: Some of the effects include the fact that it offers the user relaxation, this is especially where the individual is used to the nicotine substance.

• Cravings and Addiction: Nicotine is described as having high addictive properties and this simply means that users develop a strong urge to use it and may experience withdrawal symptoms if they decide to quit.

Similarities Between Vaping Marijuana and Nicotine

Delivery Mechanism

Marijuana is ingested through electronic devices used to heat a liquid, oil, or dry herb to produce vapor while nicotine is similarly consumed through e-cigarettes. This delivery mechanism ensures that the compounds are directly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, to produce almost instant effects.

Appeal to Younger Users

With the increase in the number of vaping enthusiasts, the younger population is embracing the use of vaping products because they are easy to hide, have merits about the flavors given, and are associated with modern technology. Young people especially like cannabis and tobacco vaping products due to the nature of product advertisement that encourages the use of tobacco products at a tender age.

Health Perceptions

Both are generally considered safer than conventional cigarettes because they do not involve burning of the tobacco and thus decrease tar and toxicant exposure. However, this perception does not make vaping safe because it has health risks associated with it.

Vaping Nicotine and Marijuana Together

Dual use and increased risk

It is also evident that some people switch between vaping devices or combine marijuana and nicotine, which results in dual consumption. Thus, this practice can increase the health risk factors related to each substance; and increase the odds of developing an addictive behavior, respiratory issues, and impaired cognition.

Youth Vaping Epidemic

Vaping is more popular among youths, and it is worrisome since nicotine and marijuana affect the youth’s young brains. Nicotine vapers are more likely to use other substances such as marijuana and therefore, it is important to prevent and educate the teens.

Regulatory and Safety Challenges

Both nicotine and marijuana vaping have some similarities where they are surrounded by some policies which include safety, labeling, and quality. When products that are banned or not regulated by the necessary laws and agencies are made available in a market, there is a high possibility of the presence of dangerous additives and contaminants, thus the need to consider the safety of the users is one of the most important factors.

In the battle of Vaping Marijuana vs. Vaping Nicotine both are delivered and sold in devices and marketed in similar ways, the product is uniquely different in how it affects the body, the risks involved, and how it is consumed. Some difficulties concerning these two materials are present in both cases, for instance, the addictive quality of nicotine and the psychoactive properties of marijuana. As such, people who use these substances should be aware of the health effects of these products and be more cautious about buying from standard shops or even reducing the frequency of usage.

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References

Robyn Correll, MPH, Updated on May 01, 2024, verywellhealth.com, Is Vaping Marijuana Safe?

The partnership to end addiction, August 2024, drugfree.org, Vaping and Marijuana

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