How does vaping nicotine impact sleep?

Topic

Emerging Tobacco Products

Subtopic

E-cigarettes / Vaping

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Nicotine addiction can negatively impact mental health and poses a threat to a generation of young people already experiencing a mental health crisis. On top of that, research also suggests another way nicotine use can affect mental and physical health: by interfering with sleep.

The research shows that vaping nicotine is associated with sleep problems. Sleep problems can include insufficient sleep, interrupted sleep, restlessness during sleep, nightmares, and daytime sleepiness. Sleep is essential for young people’s brain development and mental health, with research finding an association between poor sleep quality and negative mental health.

Vaping nicotine is associated with sleep problems

A study published in Journal of Adolescence that focused on young people aged 12-17 found that vaping nicotine (as well as dual smoking and vaping) is significantly associated with greater odds of reporting sleep problems such as sleeping restlessly, bad dreams, and daytime fatigue. Another study of high school students found that e-cigarette users were at increased odds of reporting insufficient sleep compared with cigarette smokers or people who had never used tobacco products.

Research points to a similar association in adults: in a study of people aged 18-65, those currently vaping nicotine were more likely to report less sleep compared with those who had never used e-cigarettes. Nicotine is known to increase heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels, all of which has the potential to delay or interfere with sleep.

Many young people turn to nicotine for stress relief, but don’t realize it may not help

According to a body of peer-reviewed research gathered in a Truth Initiative report, nicotine addiction may pose a threat to a generation of young people already experiencing a mental health crisis.

A Truth Initiative survey has shown that a majority of young people who have used e-cigarettes started vaping nicotine to lessen feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, and many continue vaping to cope with these feelings, possibly due to tobacco industry efforts to market their products with claims that smoking or vaping nicotine is relaxing and calming.

The association between nicotine and sleep may indicate a similar trend – young people may be vaping nicotine to cope with symptoms of disrupted sleep, not realizing that nicotine may be part of the problem.

Quitting vaping can improve mental health

Research shows that in the long term, quitting nicotine can improve mental health, with 90% of young people who quit vaping reporting feeling less stressed, anxious, or depressed, according to a Truth Initiative survey. If you or someone you know is quitting smoking or vaping, there are resources proven to help.

A free, first-of-its-kind anonymous text messaging program from Truth Initiative is designed to help young people quit vaping. The proven quit program has helped over 750,000 young people to date on their journey to quit vaping.

To enroll in the program, teens and young adults can text DITCHVAPE to 88709.

By texting DITCHVAPE to 88709, you consent to recurring messages from Truth Initiative to help you quit vaping, and agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Text STOP to opt-out. Text HELP for info. Msg & Data Rates May Apply.

Learn more about our digital quitting program

This article was originally published on October 30, 2023.