Perhaps you’ve heard around that vaping produces popcorn lung. But, what’s popcorn lung? And does vaping truly cause it? We’re here to figure it out.
First, popcorn lung is a slang term for bronchitis obliterans (BO), also known as obliterative bronchitis. It’s ordinarily caused when one inhales chemicals and they scar the bronchioles, the tiniest airways within the lungs, and diminish their productivity and volume. The only known cure is a lung transplant.
It’s challenging to determine whether someone has BO, particularly because the symptoms can often be confused with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a mutual outcome for lifelong smokers. It’s a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD progresses gradually over years while BO develops fast within months.
Diacetyl is a chemical that has been linked to developing lung disease and was regularly found in microwave popcorn. Diacetyl is used in processed foods to impart a buttery or creamy flavor. Additionally, a diacetyl “cousin,” acetyl propionyl (AP) is considered to be nearly as dangerous.
So what does this all have to do with vaping? Some e-juices include this chemical, and although it has not shown to be an impending threat, you might want to think about picking e-juices without diacetyl or AP.
Still, smoking cigarettes will cause you to inhale more than 100 times more diacetyl than vaping any e-juice ever would. Hence, vaping is still a safe bet and a favorable alternative. Popcorn lung is difficult to pinpoint to any precise precedent. Much research still needs to be done, but what we know now will benefit you in making better decisions for your body in the long run.
Learn more about the health benefits of converting to vaping at your local Allentown vape shop.