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Recent research has cast doubt on the widely held belief that nicotine in e-cigarettes is harmless, particularly in certain formulations, suggesting a potential risk of heart arrhythmias, according to a study published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
The study, conducted on animal models, investigated the effects of various types and doses of nicotine found in e-cigarettes on heart rhythm irregularities. The results revealed that nicotine salts, commonly used in pod-based e-cigarettes like Juul, led to cardiac arrhythmias, particularly at higher doses.
Comparing the impact of different nicotine types in e-cigarettes, researchers exposed mice to vape aerosols containing freebase nicotine (common in older e-cigarettes), nicotine salts (found in pod-based e-cigarettes), or synthetic nicotine resembling racemic freebase nicotine. These effects were compared against nicotine-free e-cigarette aerosols or clean air.
By incrementally increasing nicotine concentrations from 1 percent to 2.5 percent to 5 percent, the study demonstrated that nicotine salts triggered more severe cardiac arrhythmias compared to freebase nicotine. Moreover, higher concentrations of nicotine intensified these irregular heartbeats.
Dr. Alex Carll, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Louisville, emphasized, “Our findings challenge the notion that nicotine itself poses no risk and highlight the potential cardiac dangers associated with specific e-cigarette nicotine formulations.”
The study also revealed that heightened levels of nicotine salts amplified the sympathetic nervous system, known as the ‘fight-or-flight’ response. This increase is caused by stimulating receptors that are typically blocked by beta-blockers, medications used to manage cardiac arrhythmias.
Dr. Carll explained, “Nicotine present in e-cigarettes triggers irregular heartbeats in a dose-dependent manner by activating the very receptors targeted by many heart medications.”
Researchers concluded that the inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols containing nicotine-salt-based liquids could escalate cardiovascular risks by inducing sympathetic dominance and cardiac arrhythmias. They proposed that regulating nicotine salts through pH standards or limits on acid additives in e-liquids might mitigate these health hazards associated with vaping.
The study suggested that users might minimize potential harm by selecting e-cigarettes with freebase nicotine or opting for lower nicotine content, offering a potential strategy to mitigate the risks associated with specific nicotine formulations.
