Is There a Link Between Vaping and Depression?

Many people reach for a vape when life feels heavy—finals, money stress, breakups, you name it. The tricky part is, while it might feel like a quick fix, vaping can actually make those tough moments harder. If you’ve been feeling more anxious, unmotivated, or just not yourself since you started vaping, you’re not alone. And science is starting to explain why.

Recent studies are starting to show us that there’s a strong connection between vaping and depression, especially when it comes to teens and young adults. While nicotine can offer a temporary boost in mood or focus, it may ultimately increase your risk of depression, worsen existing symptoms or even create emotional dependence on the vape itself. Talk about a bait and switch.

Let’s break down the evidence, see how nicotine affects your brain, and figure out what you can do to improve your mental health long term.

What the Research Says About Vaping and Depression

Multiple studies have found that people who vape are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

One large national study found that adults who vape are twice as likely to report depression compared to those who don’t. It also found that the more often someone vaped, the higher their chances of depression became.

The numbers are especially troubling for young people. Among teens, vaping is tied to much higher reported levels of depressive symptoms. Things like sadness, hopelessness, and irritability. This is particularly worrisome, since, according to a 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 1.6 million middle and high school students use e-cigarettes.

So what’s actually going on here?

How Nicotine Affects Mood and Brain Chemistry

Nicotine is a stimulant that temporarily increases dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical messenger. This can make you feel more alert, focused, or even calm in the short term, but when the nicotine wears off, dopamine levels drop, and your brain may respond with a crash. Over time, this cycle can:

Disrupt your natural dopamine production [Read more from NIH]
Upset mood regulation and increase stress sensitivity [Read more on Science Direct]
Exacerbate symptoms of depression or anxiety [Read more on NIH]
Lead to dependency, where you vape just to feel “normal” [Read more on Science Direct]

When someone stops taking nicotine, they usually feel some combination of nic withdrawal symptoms (irritability, restlessness, trouble concentrating, low mood), so taking another puff temporarily relieves those symptoms. This can make it feel like vaping is helping. But really, it’s just soothing the withdrawal from the last vape. And since e-cigarettes are so easy to use—and often deliver high doses of nicotine—that cycle can be especially tough to break.

Does Vaping Cause Depression, or Just Make It Worse?

You may have heard the phrase “correlation does not mean causation.” In plain terms, just because two things are linked doesn’t mean one directly causes the other. It’s true that researchers can’t say for sure that vaping causes depression. But what they can say is equally important: Vaping doesn’t appear to relieve depression either. In fact, it could make depression worse or trigger it in people who are already vulnerable.

That’s especially true for:

People with a personal or family history of mental health conditions [Source: NIH]
Teens and young adults (whose brains are still developing) [Source: CDC]
Anyone using vaping to “self-medicate” stress or anxiety [Source: Truth Initiative]

In other words, if you’re already struggling with your mental health, nicotine may feel like a quick fix—but it can quietly make things worse in the long run.

What Happens to Mental Health When You Quit Vaping?

Quitting nicotine can improve your emotional balance over time, but it’s not always immediate.

Nicotine withdrawal can bring temporary side effects, including:

Low mood
Restlessness
Irritability
Brain fog
Cravings
Trouble sleeping

These symptoms usually peak in the first few days and improve within 2–4 weeks as your brain starts to regulate dopamine on its own again. Many people report clearer thinking, better sleep, and more stable moods after quitting. Quitting isn’t a walk in the park, but it is worth it.

Need help through those first tough days? The Jones app is here for you with daily motivation, check-ins, mood tracking, and a custom quit plan to guide you step by step. And, our quitter community in the app can help you feel less alone during your quitting journey—plus, you might even make some new friends!

How To Quit Nicotine in a Way That Supports Your Mental Health

While these findings are alarming and may lead you to want to throw your vape away and quit cold turkey, stopping nic too quickly can trigger mood crashes or cause you to go back to the vape.

A gentler approach is cutting back on nicotine step by step, with something scientifically-backed and controlled—like Jones nicotine mints.

Why nicotine lozenges work well for mental health:

No dopamine spikes and crashes like with vaping
Slower absorption = smoother mood regulation
Available in both 2mg and 4mg doses to help you step down at your pace
Comes in flavors that feel like a reward—not a punishment

What If You’re Vaping Because You’re Depressed?

If you started vaping to deal with stress, anxiety, or sadness—you’re not alone. Many people use nicotine as a form of emotional coping. But it’s a temporary solution that often creates longer-term instability.

Here’s the good news: Once you remove nicotine, your brain can bounce back. You’ll regain emotional resilience, feel less “on edge,” and start to build healthier coping tools that don’t rely on chemicals.

Quitting may not be easy, but with the right support, it’s one of the best things you can do for your mind. And you don’t have to do it alone. The Jones app and blog is full of step-by-step advice that makes change possible—without the pressure or perfectionism.

FAQs

Is depression a symptom of nicotine withdrawal?

Yes, low mood is a common part of withdrawal, but it’s temporary. Most people feel emotionally better within 2–4 weeks after quitting.

Why do I feel more anxious after quitting vaping?

Nicotine withdrawal can increase anxiety at first. This is normal and usually improves as your body adjusts. Using a low-dose lozenge can ease the transition.

Can quitting vaping improve mental health long term?

Yes. Studies show that people who quit often report better mood, lower anxiety, and greater emotional stability over time.

Should I quit vaping if I’m already dealing with depression?

If you're using nicotine to manage depression, consider quitting with support. Gradual tapering, therapy, and NRTs like Jones mints can help.

Are there nicotine alternatives that don’t affect mood as much?

Yes. Lozenges and Jpnes nicotine mints are absorbed slowly and don’t produce intense highs or lows, making them more stable for people concerned about mood.