Brain Damage From E-cigarettes?

Researchers from the University of California have done it. Finally, there is proof that e-cigarettes are harmful! A fully in-depth, professional and accountable study has conclusively proven that e-cigarette vapour can damage stem cells. More specifically, stem cells from mice. Dead stem cells. In a petri dish. Wow.

Now you’re probably asking yourself, “okay what the hell?” At least, that’s how we felt when we heard about this study. You may have read about the subject in the media with headlines like “e-cigarettes cause Alzheimer’s” or maybe “e-cigarettes make you stupid”. You can find out how much truth there is in this article.

First Things: Don’t Panic!

If you just threw your e-cigarette in the corner, we must apologize first. The study this article is about is anything but credible. But before we start explaining the logical flaws of the study and the sloppy work of the researchers, let’s first look at what the scientists allegedly found.

The examined e-cigarettes

The study in question was published by the University of California, which published a rather unscientific study on e-cigarettes and high blood pressure in 2017. The current study examined how the vapour from an e-cigarette affects stem cells.

The study does not reveal which e-cigarette was used. This alone already shows that the study is not professional. A fundamental principle of scientific studies is that other researchers can entirely reproduce them. The study only claims that it is one of the best-selling e-cigarettes in the USA and a so-called Cig-A-Like vaporizer. In a statement, the university announced that the study used a Vuse brand product – actually a lesser-known brand of e-cigarettes.

The process of investigation

For the study, the examined e-cigarette was connected to a smoking machine, with which the puff on a conventional tobacco cigarette was usually examined. This is the next big mistake of the study since such a machine cannot detect the liquid overflow and the occurrence of a dry burn (when the cotton no longer absorbs liquid). So the circumstances tested are unrealistic, because who continues to pull on an e-cigarette as soon as you inhale burnt cotton?

The liquid used is also anything but meaningful for a study because with a nicotine concentration of 44 mg per millilitre of liquid, the nicotine content, for example, exceeds the value permitted in the EU by more than twice.

The vapour extracted from the e-cigarette by the smoking machine was fed directly to the cell culture. The cells are mouse stem cells. These are often used for biological tests because they are highly sensitive and react strongly to external influences. And here we come to the third big problem of the study: The cells for the test were, of course, taken from a mouse and are therefore dead. Although dead cells still react to external influences, they cannot heal themselves. However, if the cells are still in a living body, damage to the stem cells (to a certain extent) is repaired immediately.

The observed effect of the e-cigarette

And what did the investigation reveal? This can be answered briefly and in more detail. The short version: The liquid vapour damaged the stem cells to the point that they died.

The longer version: The nicotine and the other active ingredients in the liquids have damaged the cell membrane of the stem cells. This allowed calcium and other ions to flow into the cell, resulting in these substances. The excess calcium ensures that the mitochondria (the cell’s powerhouses that produce the energy it needs) continue to swell. This restricts their function, and in the worst case, they can even burst – which inevitably leads to cell death.

However, as already mentioned, the cells were placed in a petri dish. This is disadvantageous for two reasons: First, the probability that stem cells will ever come into direct contact with liquid is almost zero. On the other hand, other substances we consume in our everyday life (e.g. toothpaste, drinks such as energy drinks or lemonades and many others) are also guaranteed to hurt stem cells if you shower them directly with them.

Why the study is ridiculous

Probably the most annoying thing about the whole study is that – like many other studies against e-cigarettes – they were paid for by tobacco giants. For example, British American Tobacco (mainly known for the Lucky Strike brand) is behind the current study. However, the funding came indirectly through donations to authorities, which financed the study. In addition, the study, like many others, aims to show that nicotine intake is the greatest danger of e-cigarettes. Currently, however, the general public of scientists considers nicotine not only harmless but even helpful for the prevention of dementia.

Worst of all, the study never explicitly mentions that e-cigarettes affect stem cells in the human brain. This claim came about as a result of extreme media hype – after all, the headline “e-cigarettes cause dementia” is more polarizing than “e-cigarettes can damage stem cells in mice in test tubes”.

Do you have to worry now?

In conclusion, this study should not be taken as a reason to stop vaping. Numerous studies – which are far more trustworthy – show the health benefits of vaping over tobacco cigarettes.

If you come across press reports like “e-cigarettes are harmful” in the future, the following questions can help you to find out whether the post is serious or not:

Are the comments on the e-cigarette objective?

Is there also criticism of the presented study?

Are results questioned?

Who is behind the study?

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