Study finds vaping may increase risk of cognitive impairment in young adults

A Thailand-based study found that young adults who used e-cigarettes were more likely to be at risk of cognitive impairment, adding new concerns to the debate over whether vaping is truly a safe option.

Study: Impact of e-cigarette use on cognitive function, emotional intelligence, and dementia risk in adolescents and young adults.. Image Credit: Hazem.M.Kamal/Shutterstock

In a recent study published in the journal scientific reportA group of researchers evaluated the association between e-cigarette use and cognitive impairment, emotional intelligence, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd) Symptom trends in young adults.

Neurocognitive Concerns About Young Adult Vaping

What if a habit considered “safer than smoking” quietly affects the way the brain thinks, feels, and remembers? The increasing popularity of e-cigarettes, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ends up), there is increased concern among young people and adolescent populations around the world.

Nicotine exposure during critical developmental years can impact brain maturation, affecting attention, emotional regulation, and long-term cognitive health.

situations like adhd And early cognitive impairment risks are particularly relevant in this age group. Currently, there is limited and inconsistent research on the relationship between ends up And these neurocognitive consequences.

More research is needed to provide clarity on these relationships and inform public health policies.

Thailand e-cigarette study design

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Lat Krabang District, Bangkok, Thailand between August 2023 and July 2024. In the study, 232 participants aged 18–25 years were equally divided into e-cigarette users and non-smokers (n = 116 each). Systematic random sampling was used to select participants based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure comparability between groups.

Structured questionnaires and validated instruments were used to collect data from the participants. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) version 1.1 was used to determine adhd Symptom tendency.

Emotional intelligence was measured by a standardized test of emotional quotient that assessed self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and interpersonal skills. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Chance), a well-validated screening tool to identify early cognitive impairment, was used to assess cognitive function and risk of cognitive impairment.

Demographic data, substance use, and e-cigarette use were also recorded for this study. All statistical analyzes were conducted using IBM SPSS version 29, and group differences were evaluated using Pearson’s chi-square test.

Binary logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (Ors) and 95% confidence interval (cis) for dementia risk predictor variables, and statistically significant results were set at P < 0.05. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained before starting data collection.

ADHD, Emotional Intelligence, and Cognitive Conclusions

The study involved 232 young adults with an average age of about 22 years. The majority of participants were students (53.9% women), among whom alcohol use was common, but drug use was low. Nearly half reported that a family member smoked, indicating potential environmental exposure to nicotine-related behaviors.

Most e-cigarette consumers reported moderate use, meaning most people smoked one or less e-cigarette devices per day. Most began during late adolescence, often motivated by curiosity, perceived low disadvantage, and social influences. Social and contextual influences played a role, with many participants using e-cigarettes on nights out or in social settings, emphasizing the importance of the peer environment in maintaining use patterns.

analysis of adhd Symptom trends showed that approximately 10-11% of participants showed persistent symptoms adhd. It was observed that e-cigarette users and non-smokers showed no significant differences in attention-related symptoms, and this suggests that, in this group, vaping was not strongly associated with attention-related issues.

Levels of emotional intelligence were generally within normal limits, but both groups showed lower than expected levels of empathy, decision making, interpersonal relationships, and emotional well-being.

Comparisons between e-cigarette users and non-smokers revealed no statistically significant relationships across the “good,” “competent,” and “well-being” dimensions of emotional intelligence. Although minor differences were observed, these patterns likely reflect social or contextual influences rather than direct effects of e-cigarette use.

E-cigarette use and cognitive impairment risk

The risk of developing dementia was significantly increased among e-cigarette users. A significantly higher proportion of e-cigarette users (39.7%) were classified as at risk of cognitive impairment compared to non-smokers (0.9%) (p < 0.001).

Several additional analyzes confirmed these findings, including a logistic regression analysis that showed that individuals who did not plan to stop using e-cigarettes in the next month were six times more likely to experience cognitive impairment (Or = 6.04).

Those who do not plan to stop using e-cigarettes in the next six months are four times more likely to experience cognitive impairment (Or = 4.15).

Vaping prevention and research implications

This study shows that e-cigarette use is significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia in young adults, even in the absence of strong associations adhd Traits or emotional intelligence. Vaping regularly, especially without trying to quit, is linked to greater cognitive vulnerability, even in young people.

These findings are important, because early changes in cognition can affect brain health, work productivity, and quality of life. Although many believe that e-cigarettes provide an alternative means of safely consuming nicotine, long-term effects of e-cigarettes may have neurological effects, although this study could not establish causation.

Strategies designed to change public perception should focus on increasing awareness of early intervention and prevention measures aimed at helping individuals who currently use e-cigarettes. Longitudinal research is also needed to clarify this relationship and the mechanisms behind it.

The findings should also be interpreted with caution because the study was cross-sectional, used Chance As a screening tool rather than a clinical trial, and was conducted in an urban district in Thailand.