Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, better known as vapes, are becoming increasingly popular. As they become more and more used all around the globe, we are hearing many different opinions about vaping and its health benefits on one side, and the harm it can potentially cause on the other side.
If you’re an athlete and you have ever considered vaping, here is a list of things you should know.
Vapes are healthier than cigarettes
According to the Royal College of Physicians, vaping is far safer than smoking.
You inhale vapor instead of smoke. Not only that it’s less harmful (and it smells way better), but you also have better control of your nicotine intake. You can choose the amount of nicotine in your vape – there are also plenty of nicotine-free vapes, which is the best and the healthiest option.
Many people quitted smoking by using e-cigarettes: they started with vapes with the highest level of nicotine and they gradually lowered the amount, until they started smoking nicotine-free ones. If you’re an athlete and you smoke, this is the perfect way to quit that bad habit that affects your athletic performance.
Second-hand vapor is also considered to be non-toxic.
Vaping can affect your athletic performance in a positive way
According to some sources, vaping can help you improve cardio performance and lift heavier.
Vapes do not cause shortness of breath or poor stamina like cigarettes do.
What is more, vaping can give you extra energy because nicotine is a stimulant. A number of weight lifters reported that vaping before a workout gave them more energy.
If you use vapes with nicotine, you may have a higher level of concentration and reactivity; it also facilitates movement precision.
That being said, keep in mind that there is no research on the long-term effects of vaping, as e-cigarettes have been around for only a couple of years. Always listen to your body.
Cannabis vapes are great after a workout
If cannabis is legal in your country, you can try cannabis vapes – they are a great way to relieve pain and muscle soreness, calm your anxiety, and alleviate inflammation. Medical marijuana has a wide variety of health benefits.
If you’re competing, you just have to make sure if cannabis is a banned substance and if you have to take a drug test. You don’t want to get in trouble!
When it comes to that, keep in mind that the World Anti-Doping Agency didn’t prohibit nicotine vapes, so normal e-cigarettes are fine to use in the days around the competition. Cannabidioil (CBD) is also not prohibited by WADA since 2017.
Vaping is more fun than smoking
Even if we put health aside, vaping is better than smoking also because it’s just more fun.
The liquid in your vape, called vape juice, comes in every possible flavor you can imagine – you can choose from fruit flavors, candy flavors, tobacco flavors, drink flavors, and many, many more.
There are also many interesting and weird flavors, like cereal or garlic. Yes, those actually exist.
You can also control how much vapor you exhale: you can cloud chase (blow huge clouds of vapor) or you can vape almost invisibly.
This means there are many vaping tricks, and it can be really fun to learn and practice them. On the other hand, vaping discreetely (or stealth vaping) is more practical in some situations, and it’s great to have that option, as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, e-cigarettes are a much safer alternative to traditional cigarettes and they are a much better option for athletes.
Of course, make sure to use your vape properly and to smoke in moderation.