Crisis Damaging Brains Of College Students Nationwide
A new study raises concerns about the impact of vaping on cognitive functions among college students. Presented at the American Neurological Association’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida, the research suggests that students who use e-cigarettes perform worse on tests assessing learning, memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking compared to their non-vaping peers.
Conducted with over 400 college students in Ecuador, the study reveals a decline in cognitive performance as vaping frequency increases. Students who took between 10 and 20 puffs daily showed approximately 9% lower test scores, while those who vaped more than 20 puffs daily had scores nearly 14% lower. This indicates a notable adverse effect of vaping on cognitive abilities.
The study’s lead researcher, Linker Vinan Paucar, a medical student from Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil, highlighted that vaping could be more harmful than smoking, especially considering the frequent use by students. Paucar pointed out that electronic cigarettes often lead to increased usage, with some students employing multiple devices in a short span.
These findings are consistent with earlier research on smoking, which links nicotine exposure to brain damage and reduced blood flow to brain cells. However, the specific effects of vaping on cognitive function are not yet fully understood. Paucar recommended further research to examine how vaping affects different student groups.
Currently, these findings are preliminary and await publication in a peer-reviewed journal. They set the stage for more in-depth studies into how vaping influences cognitive functions and underscore the necessity for ongoing research into the health impacts of e-cigarette use.
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