Inhalation Cessation: Protocols for Quitting Vaping and Nicotine

The longevity experts stress that not smoking is one of the three biggest ways to prevent the number one killer, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries). Smoking is described as devastating for arteries from a chemical perspective. The risk associated with inhaling substances is amplified by the sheer surface area of the lung, which, if spread out, would cover a tennis court.

The underlying difficulty in cessation often involves not just the chemical addiction to nicotine, but the powerful behavioral component—the satisfaction of the "inhale" ritual itself. This psychological urge necessitates strategies that address the neurobiology of addiction and the physical habit simultaneously.

The audience understands that smoking and vaping are harmful, but they face three major struggles:

1. Quitting Addiction: They are seeking actionable, scientific protocols to overcome the addiction, especially given the likelihood of added chemicals (like pyrazines in tobacco) designed to increase addiction.
2. Lack of Alternatives: Many believe that "nothing else satisfies that specific urge" of inhalation. They need healthier behavioral substitutes.
3. Vaping Nuance: There is confusion about the least harmful methods of inhalation, with people questioning if dry herb or pure CBD oil vaping (without additives like Vitamin E acetate) carries lower risks compared to commercial e-cigarettes.

The goal should be total cessation of inhaling anything other than air, due to the devastating chemical effects on the arteries. If cessation is difficult, alternatives like lozenges, gum, patches, tinctures, or edibles are significantly better for delivering nicotine or cannabis than any form of smoking or vaping. For those unable to completely give up inhalation, understand that the chemical constituents in vapes are terrible and contain carcinogens, even in many commercial vaping products.

Dr. Peter Attia
Dr. Attia addressed the harms of smoking and vaping, categorizing them within the core longevity priorities.

• Clarity, Depth, Practicality: He states that not smoking (including vaping) is one of the "three big ones" for preventing atherosclerosis. He classifies smoking as devastating from a chemical perspective.
• Unique Perspectives/Actionable Advice: He views vaping as the lesser of two evils compared to smoking cigarettes, but stresses that the "by far the better scenario was not to do any of these things". He explicitly advises against relying on inhalation as a delivery method, suggesting that if nicotine is the goal, lozenges and gum are better delivery systems. He notes that the chemical constituents in vapes are "terrible" and "loaded with carcinogens".

Andrew Huberman (Host/Discussant)
The host contributed context regarding the contents of vapes and general substance risks.

• Clarity, Depth, Practicality: Huberman noted his concern about the chemical constituents of vapes, many of which are small inorganic molecules that cross the blood-brain barrier and are maintained in neurons for many years. He emphasized the concept of the lung's large surface area for absorption.
• Unique Perspectives/Actionable Advice: He stated that pure CBD forms have been effective for epilepsy. However, he emphasized that THC-containing cannabis, especially high-THC versions, clearly predisposes young males to later-onset psychosis. He views the argument that cannabis is not as bad as alcohol as "crazy".

Dr. Mark Hyman (Referred to in related discussion context)
Dr. Hyman, through the context of diet, provided a strong parallel to the effects of cigarettes.

• Clarity, Depth, Practicality: In the context of ultra-processed foods, Hyman’s discussion referenced that these foods are "engineered to make you want more just like cigarettes are," highlighting the behavioral and addictive engineering behind harmful consumables.

If you are a smoker or vaper, explore a nicotine gum or lozenge to deliver the chemical component while consciously breaking the behavioral habit of hand-to-mouth inhalation.

• Mistake: Switching from smoking to commercial vaping products assuming they are safe.
  Fix: Understand that commercial vapes are loaded with chemical constituents and carcinogens that are terrible for your health and cross the blood-brain barrier. Vaping is the lesser of two evils compared to smoking, but not the goal.
• Mistake: Focusing solely on nicotine cessation and failing to replace the "inhale" habit.
  Fix: Find a sensory or behavioral replacement for the inhalation ritual, as the urge is psychological and must be addressed separately from the chemical addiction.
• Mistake: Using oral nicotine products (like gum) that damage the body/skin.
  Fix: Be aware that nicotine, even via gum or lozenge, is a vasoconstrictor and may be terrible for the skin. However, this is still chemically safer than inhaling known carcinogens.
• Mistake: Believing cannabis is a benign alternative to tobacco or alcohol.
  Fix: Be cautious. High-THC cannabis, in particular, carries risks, especially for young males (psychosis), and inhaling it still exposes the lung's large surface area to non-gas constituents.

• “I wanted to hear variance by gender - I think of the different experiences of sleep centered around motherhood, etc. I think heart disease is the #1 lady killer? I often read studies only to find the data wasn’t significant to women’s health. Is this information applicable to all humans?” (Note: Heart disease being the top killer, driven by factors like smoking, reinforces the importance of this topic for all genders.)
• “Omg I gotta quick vaping. Looking at me you would never think I smoked cigarettes for 25 years and now vape! God give me the will power to STOP. I love to workout , jog, dance, rollerblade, do Barre/pilates… I’m 49, and if I don’t stop now; I won’t be able to do any of those things much longer.”
• “Thank you for helping me quit smoking (almost 1.5 years now) and re-order my priorities. I come back to this video every now and then when my motivation is loose to remind myself why I'm doing what I'm doing. Keep it going and thank you :)”

The longevity consensus is that complete cessation of inhalation (smoking or vaping) is one of the three most impactful health decisions an individual can make to prevent the primary killer, atherosclerosis. While vaping may represent a less toxic choice than cigarettes, the ideal protocol for quitting addiction involves addressing both the chemical dependence and the powerful "inhale" ritual. Use non-inhalation delivery systems (gum, lozenges, patches) for nicotine, and focus on replacing the inhalation habit with healthier sensory substitutes to achieve long-term cessation.