I have schizophrenia and social anxiety and my mom and friend tell me all the time that my vaping could be having an effect on me and making my symptoms worse, because of "chemicals". its really annoying and makes me upset. ive been vaping about 4 months now and I love it, Its a hobby I really enjoy, and I don't want to quit. I know its unlikely but can anyone relate to this topic? what should I do?
vaping and mental illness
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Here's an article about some studies that have been done with regards to nicotine and it's impact on patients with schizophrenia.
Nicotine Therapy for Schizophrenia? | Psych Central News
Nicotine Therapy for Schizophrenia? | Psych Central News
Well I will offer what little I know but aside from a few acquaintances I've had over the years I don't know much about the science behind this disorder. I will say that when I first started vaping I wondered if it was giving me anxiety, I lowered (and continue to lower) my nic strength and eventually it subsided, I'm sure some or maybe all of the anxiety I experienced could have been attributed to the withdrawal effects from analogs too.
I will say that I have heard many times that the nicotine from smoking actually helps with schizophrenia symptoms, and I believe that is a well documented fact.
Whether or not your ejuice is making your symptoms worse because of other chemicals present in the flavors sounds a bit far fetched to me, but stranger things have been true. Perhaps it is well worth investigating? Let's not forget that nicotine is a stimulant, any stimulant can certainly aggravate anxiety, it can also help alleviate it, whichever way it goes I'm sure is dosage dependent. Let's also recognize that regular cigarettes have a host of chemicals in them that combine with the nicotine to produce a different psychoactive effect, while with ecigs you are getting the nicotine only (stimulant). It probably wouldn't hurt to at least try lowering your nic content, as well as some organic and healthier juices out there that vendors such as Ahlusionm, Heathers Heavenly Vapes and Virgin Vapor have to offer to see if you experience any improvement.
I will say that I have heard many times that the nicotine from smoking actually helps with schizophrenia symptoms, and I believe that is a well documented fact.
Whether or not your ejuice is making your symptoms worse because of other chemicals present in the flavors sounds a bit far fetched to me, but stranger things have been true. Perhaps it is well worth investigating? Let's not forget that nicotine is a stimulant, any stimulant can certainly aggravate anxiety, it can also help alleviate it, whichever way it goes I'm sure is dosage dependent. Let's also recognize that regular cigarettes have a host of chemicals in them that combine with the nicotine to produce a different psychoactive effect, while with ecigs you are getting the nicotine only (stimulant). It probably wouldn't hurt to at least try lowering your nic content, as well as some organic and healthier juices out there that vendors such as Ahlusionm, Heathers Heavenly Vapes and Virgin Vapor have to offer to see if you experience any improvement.
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I have no knowledge in this area but I would think if you were a smoker first then vaping would not make a difference. Nicotine is nicotine. No matter how you get it. Again I have zero knowledge just my thoughts.
Actually vaping probably helps your condition tremendously, if you're vaping with nicotine, and ESPECIALLY if you're vaping with WTA. Tell your mom that her ignorant bellyaching is what is making your condition worse, because the conditions you named are both helped by nicotine. Nicotine coordinates brain chemistry so that it all works better.
Andria
Did you smoke before you started vaping? If so I think we can put all of that to rest.
Otherwise... I dont see the harm. I am a paramedic, when I worked on an ambulance I was required to transport psychiatric patients. They were always the most adamant about having a cigarette before buing taken into a facility.
I cant count the times I have waited for a patient to have a cigarette in these cases. I can say that I only had one time where I wish I hadnt.
Its your life, and your body... you are a grown up... make grown up decisions. Do what makes you happy... you only have one shot at life... make it count.
Otherwise... I dont see the harm. I am a paramedic, when I worked on an ambulance I was required to transport psychiatric patients. They were always the most adamant about having a cigarette before buing taken into a facility.
I cant count the times I have waited for a patient to have a cigarette in these cases. I can say that I only had one time where I wish I hadnt.
Its your life, and your body... you are a grown up... make grown up decisions. Do what makes you happy... you only have one shot at life... make it count.
Find a good prescribing psychiatrist who is familiar with pharmacology, and has the experience and education to help you.
Medical advice like this cannot be found on a vaping forum.
At risk here, and the nature of your question, is about your well-being.
You have special problems that can't be addressed by laypersons.........and really shouldn't be.
Every individual is different, and no one size fits all, you really need to be followed by a good doctor (vape friendly, and there ARE many who are) who can help you adjust your chemical injestions in the safest way.
Medical advice like this cannot be found on a vaping forum.
At risk here, and the nature of your question, is about your well-being.
You have special problems that can't be addressed by laypersons.........and really shouldn't be.
Every individual is different, and no one size fits all, you really need to be followed by a good doctor (vape friendly, and there ARE many who are) who can help you adjust your chemical injestions in the safest way.
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You can have mental illness and smoke cigarettes and die of cancer.
I say just ignore them on this one. They do not have any documentation on this because there is none. Just tainted hearsay. You can monitor yourself. Mental illness does not mean unintelligent or unable to make decisions. If you want to vape, stick to your own decision on the matter. Do your own research. Come here to ECF where you will have support of your own best interests.
I say just ignore them on this one. They do not have any documentation on this because there is none. Just tainted hearsay. You can monitor yourself. Mental illness does not mean unintelligent or unable to make decisions. If you want to vape, stick to your own decision on the matter. Do your own research. Come here to ECF where you will have support of your own best interests.
I agree with Erik, I have severe social anxiety and my vape is what helps me through the day. It's almost like since my vape is with me for the good times it helps me through the bad, and besides would they rather you be smoking analogs?
I'm sorry that your forced to deal with such ignorance. I hope they come to their senses sooner than later.
I am in the same boat with my mental illness. I find that vaping helps me, if anything. My symptoms are taken care of with the meds I get, which is awesome! I have never had any negative effects from vaping, and I use pretty high nicotine, even in my RDA. Best wishes to you, and positive energy! Vape on!
I do know from personal experience that nicotine WITHDRAWAL can worsen anxiety disorder, because I have experienced it first hand; I had my first "I have to go take my meds right NOW" panic attack in over a year because I tried stepping down my nicotine level too fast. Nicotine is a substance that crosses the blood brain barrier, and it does effect dopamine production…so if you weren't a smoker before you started vaping you should probably consult with your psychiatrist just to make sure that the nicotine isn't harmful to you or exaggerating your symptoms. (If you were a smoker before you vaped, then your brain is most likely getting no more nicotine from vaping than it was before). If your doctor says it's OK, it's OK. It is possible that your relatives are just concerned because they have encountered some sensationalistic propaganda in the media. Getting your doctor's OK should be enough to calm them down about it.
I don't talk about it much openly but I have a kinda similar situation. I have schizoaffective disorder. I started smoking when I was 15 and smoked until I switched to vaping this year. I can not tell you much about having it pre nicotine but I can tell you that going into nicotine withdrawls with the disorder dangerous. I usually spin way out of control and I even ended up in a hospital one of the times I tried to quit. Mental Heath patients and smoking go hand in hand. Of the various hospital stays I have had I would say 60-70% of the patients were smokers. Compare that to what maybe 10-20% for healthy people. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor and see what they have to say. Be very careful if you do try to cold turkey.
All of our comments are indeed well-intentioned and may well be completely right (or not). It doesn't matter.
The problem is that your mother and friend are concerned about you and it's annoying you. Nothing said in a vaping forum by people who vape is going to convince your mother and friend of anything, only a doctor's opinion is going to be any help with alleviating your mother's and yor friend's concerns.
Find a doctor who is familiar with your condition and also with vaping, Talk to them about it, and then have the doctor talk with your mother. After that, assure your friend that you had a doctor check into it.
The problem is that your mother and friend are concerned about you and it's annoying you. Nothing said in a vaping forum by people who vape is going to convince your mother and friend of anything, only a doctor's opinion is going to be any help with alleviating your mother's and yor friend's concerns.
Find a doctor who is familiar with your condition and also with vaping, Talk to them about it, and then have the doctor talk with your mother. After that, assure your friend that you had a doctor check into it.
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