Dangers of Vaping and Toking
In the past few years, vapes have become increasingly ubiquitous as a form of consuming nicotine. Although the practice began with complex rigs, the advent of Juul and similar devices have made vaping sleek and stealthy. With these advancements, however, the dangers of vaping and toking have increased.
Whereas smoking cigarettes had decreased among teens, Juuls became a vice of choice in schools across North America. Since Juuls look like USB flash drives, they were able to be carried in the open undetected by unsuspecting adults. Teens didn’t stop with vaping nicotine either — many have moved on to marijuana. And like many of their other behaviours, teens can’t recognize when they’re one toke over the line. They remain unaware of the dangers of vaping and toking.
Nicotine Now, THC Tomorrow
Pediatrician Nicholas Chadi did an analysis of marijuana consumption among adolescent vapers for the academic journal JAMA Pediatrics. His study concluded that the likelihood of marijuana use increased three to four times among teens who vaped. Vaping nicotine establishes pathways in the brain that encourage addictive behaviours. As “smokeable” drugs, users often combine marijuana and tobacco outside of vapes — and inside of them as well.
Just as nicotine consumption evolved away from cigarettes, so too has marijuana moved away from the blunt. Vaping rigs often looking very similar to Juuls, allow teens and others to smoke THC oils. THC, in case you didn’t know, is the active chemical in marijuana.
However, even more so than nicotine vapes, THC vapes have sent many teens and other users to the hospital. THC oils made outside the purview of regulation contain adverse chemicals like vitamin E acetate. Additive chemicals from the black market are the most serious dangers of vaping and toking.
This common additive has caused a bevy of lung problems and deaths. There has been a crackdown on THC vapes in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere as a result.
Why Do Teens Move On From Vaping to Toking?
The dangers of vaping and toking behaviours among teens often have the same social roots. As vaping became more and more popular, peer pressure-induced more and more teens to buy and use Juuls. Since many teens have not developed self-control or restraint, the trend soon grew out of control. Nicotine addiction once again became a joint social ill among teenagers and has morphed into marijuana dependency.
Just as with the spread of Juuls, the increasing ease of obtaining marijuana has allowed teens more significant access to the drug. Conversely, social pressure at parties or other social events induces more and more teens to toke as well as vape. In addition, teenagers have access to other methods of consuming marijuana.
Whereas the dangers of vaping and toking affect the mouth and lungs, other forms of weed consumption involve much higher dosages. For example, a teen may take a very powerful edible that contains hundreds of milligrams of THC instead of vaping. For teenagers with low tolerance, the edibles can cause them to nod off and pass out. Some children have gone to the hospital after eating medical strength edibles due to the intense effects.
What To Do About The Dangers of Vaping and Toking
Does your teenager vape or toke? If you notice sudden mood or appetite changes, or that they appear to be in a daze, they may have been toking. For concerned parents across Canada, Venture Academy offers a 30-day assessment to see what treatment your teen needs.
Whether its vaping, toking, or both, Venture Academy’s marijuana addiction treatment for teens can help your family. Don’t let your teen ruin their future. Contact us online or call 866.762.2211 today for teen toking treatment.