Understanding “Healthy Vapes”

A new fad has emerged in the vaping world and taken over social media: “healthy vapes.” Sometimes referred to as “nutritional supplement diffusers” or “vitamin vapes,” these new devices promise big health benefits to those looking to quit using traditional Nicotine vaping devices or add some type of “boost” to their lifestyles.

These “healthy vapes” allow users to inhale ingredients like vitamin B12, caffeine, melatonin, and various essential oils rather than Nicotine and other harmful substances. However, regulators and other experts warn that these products simply do not live up to their claims of being “healthy” alternatives to vaping. As a result, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers in 2021 against using vaping products with “unproven health claims.”

Currently, no vaping products are approved by the FDA to prevent, treat, or improve any health condition or overall well-being. Even still, “healthy vapes” have become incredibly popular, specifically on social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, where they are often advertised to young adults and teens.

Dangerous Marketing Tactics

Vapes and e-cigarettes are all over social media, with many companies running aggressive advertisement campaigns to try and expand their audience to increasingly younger audiences. Vaping has become so popular, in fact, that global vaping sales are expected to exceed $ 40 billion by the end of 2023.

Due to these extensive marketing campaigns and record profits, vaping has gained significant popularity and social acceptance. Many companies that make vaping devices, especially those marketed as “safe” or “healthy,” intentionally gear their ads toward younger adults, often depicting younger-looking people using their products in a fun or party-like environment.

According to a press release made by the FDA in December of 2021, some companies and manufacturers of these “healthy vapes” have made wildly fraudulent claims about their devices, some of which include:

• “Fight off tumors and alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy!”
• “It’s been used as a [sic] organic asthma remedy, ADHD remedy, and dementia treatment.”
• “Helps prevent a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia that makes people tired and weak.”
• “Neroli oil … has long been used as a treatment against anxiety and depression, to calm the mind and soothe away tension.”

Even with a growing consensus among regulators and health officials that vaping is harmful, these products don’t need to be FDA-approved, as they contain no Nicotine. Additionally, since these products are considered “supplements,” companies cannot make claims about what these devices allegedly do, which can be extremely misleading when paired with advertisements that depict them as being “healthy.”

Is Inhaling Vitamins Safe?

Of the numerous “healthy vapes” being sold, including popular brands like Breathe and its sister companies: VitaminVape, VitaStik, BioVape, NutroVape, and Monq, there is one ingredient they all advertise as being beneficial: vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is a substance that the body cannot produce but needs to function properly. Most people don’t need supplemental vitamin B12, as they get enough from their diets.

What’s important to note about vitamin B12 deficiency is that it is rare, and it’s almost impossible to self-diagnose.

“If you’re deficient, your doctor should prescribe what you should be doing. If you have normal levels, adding more doesn’t do anything. It doesn’t help,” he says. “The concept of just taking vitamin B12 to increase your energy and so on is a myth.,” says Dr. Ron Crystal, the chair of the genetic medicine department and a practicing pulmonologist at Weill Cornell Medicine & New York Presbyterian.

There is also no medical data suggesting that the body can absorb vitamins by inhaling them. Aside from a handful of studies on nasal sprays, experts agree that there is no concrete evidence pointing to vitamin vapes’ efficacy.

Additionally, when it comes to vitamin vapes, there is the matter of the propellant and chemicals used to deliver and vaporize vitamin B12. Virtually no studies have been conducted on vaping essential oils, flavorings, and propellants used in vaping devices; however, a preliminary study on cells suggests that some may cause cell damage. One chemical in particular, vegetable glycerin, is used by Breathe and many other vaping devices marketed as “safe” and has been linked to lung inflammation.

It’s important to remember that, as stated previously, there are currently no vaping devices approved by the FDA as cessation devices or authorized to make a modified risk claim. Furthermore, these products are new to the market and have little to no scientific data to suggest they offer any type of health benefits whatsoever.

The Real Healthy Alternative To Vaping: Quitting

The reality of any vaping device, whether marketed as a “healthy” option or not, is that they are unsafe to use. The lack of research combined with a lack of federal regulation means that there is simply no evidence suggesting “healthy vapes” offer any benefit or a healthy alternative to nicotine-based devices.

While certainly easier said than done, quitting is the safest and healthiest alternative to vaping. Traditional in-person residential treatment may be too intensive for those looking to quit vaping. However, it is recommended for those experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions or abusing other substances like alcohol or Opioids. For Nicotine addiction, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends creating a quit plan and speaking with a counselor to start the process of quitting vaping.

For most people, seeing a therapist can be most easily done through Telehealth or online therapy. Online therapy is an incredibly popular, effective way to treat addiction, mental health, and behavioral health concerns all in one place. Many online therapy providers offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), often regarded as one of the best types of therapy to help with Nicotine addiction.

Quit Vaping Today

Vaping can be extremely difficult to quit, especially for those trying to quit alone. However, research has shown that online therapy can be as effective as traditional in-person treatment for substance use disorders. To start your path toward a vape-free life, contact an online therapy provider today using the offers below.

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