Vaping ‘significantly affects sleep and anxiety’ in young

YOUNG vape users are more likely to suffer from anxiety, loneliness and insomnia, a study of students has found.

Researchers analysed a group of young adults in England and found that vaping “significantly impacts sleep quality and anxiety levels”.

Experts said vaping in young people can “negatively affect brain development”. Almost all of the vaping students in the study reported clinically significant symptoms of anxiety.

The study found vapers were 20 per cent more likely to have symptoms of anxiety than those who had not used devices but were no more likely to have signs of depression, researchers said.

The participants, who had an average age of 20, were analysed using clinical tests, which included various mental health assessments, their alcohol use and sleep quality.

The results revealed a 15 per cent rise in symptoms of insomnia among regular vape users, with three in four having clinically significant symptoms.

All participants reported on their sleep using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which measures sleep duration, latency, efficiency and disturbances among other factors.

The study, conducted by the University

of Surrey, also assessed the effect of vaping on loneliness and rumination, which is the act of repetitive thinking and dwelling on negative feelings. It found that both were more common in the young adults who vaped.

Researchers also found that people who used e-cigarettes drank twice as much alcohol each week as those who did not and had lower levels of “self-compassion”.

Dr Simon Evans, a neuroscience lecturer at the University of Surrey and study author, said the results found a “disturbing link” between vaping and anxiety. He was concerned that many young people “are unaware of or simply downplay the dangers of such products, believing that something that tastes ‘fruity’ could not be harmful.”

“This is not the case as the nicotine contained in the products is known to negatively affect brain development and may induce behaviours that increase the risk of developing substance abuse issues,” he said, adding that they had become easily accessible through “vape shops” and other outlets.

“Vaping impacts all areas of physical and mental health. Poor sleep not only affects a young person’s daily functioning but, over the longer term, increases the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.” The study was published in the journal