The Risks of Vaping THC: What You Should Know

Vaping THC is often presented as a healthier alternative to smoking, but is it really? What people don’t realize is that many THC vapes are not regulated, meaning they can contain not only high concentrations of cannabinoids, but also dangerous additives, solvents, and cutting agents whose effects on the lungs and body are not studied. 

Before diving into the specifics, it's important to understand the range of risks vaping THC poses, particularly its negative impacts on the brain, heart, and lungs. This is especially true for teens and young adults, who may be more vulnerable to these effects.

Table of Contents

• What Has Made THC Vaping So Common?
• Are THC Vapes a Health Concern?
• How Vaping THC Affects the Brain
• 4 Dangers of Vaping THC
• Why Vaping THC Can Increase Dependence Risk
• Is Vaping THC Better Than Smoking THC?
• Signs THC Vaping May Be Becoming a Problem
• Move Forward With Confidence and the Right Support: Dove Recovery Is Here To Help

Vaping THC has taken the country by storm, with an estimated 2.55 million young Americans vaping some kind of THC or synthetic THC by 2023. This trend has been sparked by a variety of factors, such as:

• Discretion: Unlike smoking, which produces smelly fumes, vaping is discreet. The smell of THC vapor can easily be covered with perfume, making it easy to use in the car or inside. 
• Convenience: THC vape cartridges can be found in smoke shops all over the country, with loopholes like the 2018 hemp farm bill allowing cannabis vapes to be sold even in places where cannabis is outlawed. These “black market” vapes are not regulated and can contain harmful additives. 
• Potency: THC vapes use a cannabis concentrate, which is much more potent than smoking. This should lead to users needing less, but generally has an inverse effect of requiring more use, leading to potential addiction. 
• Changing perceptions: Vaping is often viewed as “healthier” and therefore more acceptable than smoking.

All of these factors contribute to the normalization of vaping THC, but that doesn’t mean that it's a harmless habit. 

Yes, THC vapes can absolutely be a health concern. 

There are two reasons for this: the first being the other things inside the THC vape cartridges including dangerous additives in unregulated vapes. In addition, the high concentration of THC found in vapes can be problematic for users who have never encountered THC before. 

THC is an intoxicant, but not all consumption methods are created equal. For example, a person smoking THC receives less THC in the blood than someone using a vape. This ultra-efficiency can work against users by causing unintended impairment and increasing their tolerance. 

If you are struggling to quit vaping THC, it may be time to consider seeking help. There is no shame in admitting that you are struggling with addiction; many Americans struggle with addiction to THC and cannabis. If you need help stopping, reach out to Dove Recovery to learn more about our marijuana addiction programs. 

Vaping THC has a surprising number of health risks, such as: 

#1: Short-Term Physical Risks

Short-term, high levels of THC consumption can cause:

• Respiratory distress: New studies show that vaping is not healthier for your lungs than smoking. For one, unregulated THC vapes can have dangerous additives not designed for inhalation, like vitamin E acetate. In addition, vaping damages delicate blood vessels and tissues in the lungs, causing long-term health problems similar to those found in smokers. 
• Heart rate change: The high levels of THC found in vapes can cause a sudden increase in heart rate, as well as blood pressure, which is problematic and can even cause heart arrhythmia. 
• Panic and acute mental health reactions: People with underlying mental health concerns, such as schizoaffective disorders, can be negatively impacted by THC vapes. In extreme cases, this can cause temporary cannabis-induced psychosis.  

#2: Long-Term Health Risks

Long-term health risks associated with vaping THC include irreversible damage to the lungs, as well as cardiovascular damage caused by thinning blood vessels and strain on the heart. In addition, many vapes contain cancer-causing additives, making vaping just as bad for your lungs as smoking in terms of carcinogens. 

One of the biggest vaping related long-term health risks is addiction, which perpetuates exposure to harmful pathogens and additives in vapes. This is especially true for people who get unregulated vapes from the illicit market, usually teenagers, whose developing lungs are especially sensitive. 

If you suspect that you are addicted to vaping THC, reach out to Dove Recovery to learn more about our recovery programs for THC addiction. 

#3: Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)

Vaping-associated lung injury, aka EVALI, is a frightening new phenomenon caused by electronic cigarettes and THC vape usage, especially in unregulated and illicit vape markets. EVALI caused 68 deaths as of 2020. 

The exact cause of EVALI isn't always the THC or nicotine in these vapes, but the harmful additives and flavors that are not tested for lung safety. These include:

• Vitamin E acetate: The most common cause of EVALI, vitamin E acetate is a common carrier oil found in THC vapes. When inhaled into the lungs, it can cause severe tissue damage and even death. 
• Heavy metals, such as tin and even lead
• Flavors
• Volatile Organic Compounds (dangerous carcinogens) 
• Illicit artificial THC 

#4: Mental Health Effects

Addiction to THC vapes can cause a host of negative mental health effects, especially for adolescents with developing brains. These effects include:

• Paranoia 
• Mood swings 
• Difficulty sleeping
• Trouble concentrating 
• Anxiety 

Vaping THC is convenient, delivering high levels of THC to the bloodstream discreetly and with minimal fuss. This ease of accessibility can increase the risk of dependence. In addition, vapes deliver higher levels of THC to the bloodstream than smoking, increasing tolerance and the likelihood of addiction. 

The answer to this is complex. While it is true that vaping does not expose your lungs to the same levels of tar and contaminants as smoking does, that doesn’t make vaping healthy. 

Vaping still uses delicate lung blood vessels and tissues to get THC into the bloodstream, damaging lungs. In addition, illicit or unregulated THC vapes are often full of harmful additives not designed for inhalation. 

Substance-use disorder looks different for everyone. However, some signs that vaping THC may be becoming a problem include: 

• Difficulty stopping, despite negative health outcomes like lung problems 
• Mood swings 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Irritability 
• Difficulty eating or sleeping without THC use 
• Spending disproportionate time finding and using THC vapes
• Ignoring family and/or work obligations due to use 

If any of these sound familiar, there is hope. Reach out to Dove Recovery to learn more about how we can help you kick your THC vape addiction and get you back to enjoying life without constantly needing THC. 

Are you worried about the risks of vaping THC to your health? Tired of vapes running your life? Let Dove Recovery help. We are Columbus, OH’s premier marijuana rehab facility. From inpatient recovery programs to outpatient sober living, we can help you take back control of your life.

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