Mental Health and Nicotine Resources

Research shows several connections between nicotine and mental health:

• Vaping nicotine can intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase stress levels.
• Current e-cigarette users have double the odds of having a diagnosis of depression compared to those who have never vaped, according to a 2019 JAMA study of nearly 30,000 current e-cigarette users. Frequent vaping is tied to even higher odds (2.4x) of having a diagnosis of depression compared to never users.
• Using e-cigarettes can worsen symptoms of depression, based on the results of a study of nearly 2,500 ninth graders who had never previously used e-cigarettes or combustible tobacco.
• Using e-cigarettes at a higher frequency was associated with higher depressive symptoms — including feeling sad or having crying spells — a year later.
• Current e-cigarette users had 1.67 times higher odds and former e-cigarette users had 1.52 times higher odds of reporting at least 1 day of poor mental health in the past month compared to never users.
• Trace metals found in vape liquid may play a role in the potential link between vaping and depression.
• Vaping is significantly associated with higher levels of ADHD symptoms, based on a 2019 study of college students. Using e-cigarettes as an adult also had nearly twice the odds of association with cognitive complaints — having serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions — compared to those who had never used e-cigarettes.

Support for those experiencing mental health concerns

Many resources exist for those concerned about their mental health, including immediate help for people experiencing crises:

• Mental Health America offers an online mental health screening. The tests can help determine whether people are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
• The Suicide Prevention Lifeline connects callers to trained crisis counselors 24/7. They also provide a chat function on their website. Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• 24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor by text.
• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of crisis centers that provides 24/7, free, confidential support to people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Call or text 988 now to be connected to a trained counselor.

Nicotine Use and Mental Health Resources

• Colliding Crises: Youth Mental Health and Nicotine Use
• Nicotine use and stress
• 3 ways vaping affects mental health
• Young people share how nicotine use affected their stress
• Vaping Nicotine and Mental Health Infographic
• How e-cigarette brands are trying to link vaping with mental health