What is an e-cigarette?
Electronic cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes, are battery operated devices that people use to inhale an aerosol, which typically contains nicotine (though not always), flavorings, and other chemicals. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, or even everyday items like pens or USB memory sticks. Other devices such as those with fillable tanks, may look different. More than 460 different e-cigarette brands are currently on the market. Some common nicknames for e-cigarettes are: e-cigs, e-hookahs, hookah pens, vapes, vape pens, tanks, vaorizer and mods.
How do they work?
Most e-cigarettes consist of four different components: a cartridge or reservoir which holds a liquid solution, a heating element or atomizer, a power source which is usually a battery and a mouthpiece used to inhale.
In many e-cigarettes, puffing activates the battery-powered heating device, which vaporizes the liquid in the cartridge. The person then inhales the resulting aerosol or vapor (called vaping).
E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver other drugs besides nicotine, such as marijuana. Concentrated marijuana oil or hash oil is used.
Teens and E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes are popular among teens and are now the most commonly used form of tobacco among youth in the U.S. Their easy availability, alluring advertisements, various e-liquid flavors, and the belief that they are safer than cigarettes have helped make them appealing to this age group. CURIOSITY about this high tech novel product has been a big factor along with their lesser cost and easier use in smoke-free areas.
The Dangers
E-cigarette use exposes the lungs to a variety of chemicals, some that are known carcinogens. The teen years are critical for brain development. Because nicotine affects the development of the brain's reward system, continued use can not only lead to nicotine addiction, but it also can make other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine more pleasurable to a teen's developing brain.
Vaping the concentrated liquid forms of marijuana creates much higher levels of THC. Vaporized marijuana does not have as strong a smell and can be a inconspicuous way of using it.
Exposing the developing brain to higher levels of THC can disrupt brain development in some users.
Mark your calendars!
Friday, May 4th 7:15 at Ellington Middle School come and learn more facts about vaping.
The Teen Brain Explained
The teen brain is a work in progress!
While adults can use rational processes when facing emotional decisions, teenagers are simply not yet equipped to think through things in the same way.
The teen brain synapse connections take longer to grow with a "synaptic pruning" taking place. The end result is a stronger, faster and more sophisticated brain.
This means the teen years are a great time to engage in learning activities that will hard-wire the synapses. The brain can actually start losing connections if they are not used enough. If a teen spends most of his or her day playing "Candy Crush" then those are the synapse connections that will remain!
Dr. Ruth Potee, a family physician in Greenfield MA and Chair of the Healthcare Solutions of the Opioid Task force of Franklin County spoke in Ellington last spring. This video is similar to what she presented. Her strong emphasis is that if substances are introduced into the body while the brain is still developing, a permanent drop in IQ will result when they reach adulthood. "Delay, delay, delay," says Potee. The video is almost an hour but worth it!!
This video is a good explanation of what takes place in a developing teen brain.
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