A recent study found that just one session of smoking electronic cigarettes for 30 minutes can induce stress that leads to severe lung damage, exposing the smoker to the risk of heart diseases and some neurological disorders. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles compared oxidative stress in the lungs of traditional cigarette smokers, electronic cigarette users, and individuals with no history of long-term tobacco or nicotine device use.
Oxidative stress describes the harmful effects of free radicals (unstable molecules) on the body. The study showed that vaping for just 30 minutes resulted in oxidative stress levels two to four times higher than baseline levels in non-smokers.
While electronic cigarettes are perceived by some as a "safer" alternative to tobacco and traditional cigarettes, data in recent years have revealed numerous negative effects associated with their use. Dr. Holly Middelkamp, a professor of cardiology and physiology at UCLA, stated, "We were surprised by the severity of the impact that a session of vaping can have on healthy young individuals. The effect of a short vaping session was not different from that of regular cigarettes."
The researchers found that even individuals who do not regularly use nicotine products could remain vulnerable to certain severe conditions. Middelkamp noted, "Over time, the dysfunction caused by electronic cigarettes can play a major role in causing certain diseases, including cardiovascular and lung diseases, some neurological disorders, and even cancer."
Free radicals are harmful oxygen cells that can cause tissue damage, while antioxidants are responsible for combating these harmful cells. Tissue damage can increase a patient's susceptibility to diseases such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes, among many other potential conditions.
Smoking is a common cause of oxidative stress, and the damage it can inflict on the lungs is responsible for the well-known link between lung cancer and smoking, according to the Daily Mail.
