Anxiety, depression more common among teens, young adults who vape nicotine, marijuana
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Teens and young adults who report vaping nicotine, marijuana or both are significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared with never vapers, survey data show.
In a survey of more than 2,500 teens and young adults, researchers also found that dual use of nicotine and marijuana vaping products may compound the addictive nature of vaping or attract those more prone to addiction, as well as have an impact on depression. The findings were reported at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2023.
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“The vaping epidemic includes both nicotine and THC and dual use of both products especially needs additional study,” Joy Hart, PhD, professor of communication at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, told Healio. “If health care providers screen youths and young adults for nicotine and THC use as well as mental health concerns, they may gain useful information for advising patients.”
Hart and colleagues conducted a national online survey among 2,505 teens and young adults aged 13 to 24 years during June and July 2022, with all participants recruited via an online panel. Participants received an incentive to complete the survey; researchers obtained parent consent for minors and informed consent from participants. Researchers stratified respondents by nicotine-only vapers (n = 370), THC-only vapers (n = 159), dual vapers of nicotine and THC (n = 830) and never vapers (n = 562). The analysis focused only on the 1,762 participants who were current vapers or never vapers. Current vapers were defined as those who vaped in the past 30 days.
Researchers found that dual vapers were more likely than nicotine-only vapers to indicate addiction to nicotine, defined as waking up at night to vape (55% vs. 45%; P < .05).
Researchers observed a greater prevalence of mental health conditions among respondents who vaped vs. never vapers. Anxiety was more prevalent among dual vapers (60%) and nicotine-only vapers (58%) compared with never vapers (43%; P < .05). Depression was more prevalent among dual vapers (52%) and nicotine-only vapers (53%) than never vapers (25%; P < .05). Additionally, reports of suicidal thoughts were more prevalent among dual vapers (51%) and nicotine-only vapers (53%) compared with never vapers (33%; P < .05).
Among respondents, 24% of dual vapers and 28% of nicotine-only vapers reported they started vaping nicotine to calm down, feel less stressed or anxious and 30% of dual vapers and 35% of nicotine-only vapers continued to vape for those same reasons, according to the researchers.
Dual vapers were more likely than nicotine-only vapers to say they were less depressed after starting vaping (46% vs. 31%; P < .05), whereas nicotine-only vapers were more likely to say vaping had no impact on their depression vs. dual vapers (38% vs. 27%; P < .05).
“Although we knew that THC was commonly vaped, we were surprised to have so many dual vapers — more than double the nicotine-only vapers,” Hart said in a press release. “Dual use may either compound the additive nature of vaping or attract people who are more prone to addiction, as well as have an impact on symptoms of depression.”
Hart said in the release that the findings suggest the importance of addressing the use of THC and the need for building resilience skills in vaping prevention efforts.
“Longitudinal studies examining behavior and health effects across time as well as studies that assess directionality are needed,” Hart told Healio.
Reference:
- Depression & anxiety symptoms linked to vaping nicotine and THC in teens and young adults. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/depression-anxiety-symptoms-linked-to-vaping-nicotine-and-thc-in-teens-and-young-adults. Published Feb. 28, 2023. Accessed Feb. 28, 2023.
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Willett J, et al. Abstract 602. Presented at: Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions; Feb. 28-March 3, 2023; Boston.
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