Smoking E-cigarettes and Seizures: A Review Study

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), also known as “e-cigarettes” or “vape,” are battery-powered devices made to help smokers quit. Due to their flavors and being less harmful than conventional cigarettes, they have become popular among adolescents and youth. However, the adverse effects of e-cigarettes should also be considered. This review aimed to investigate the relationship between smoking e-cigarettes and experiencing episodes of seizure. 

This review is based on research studies found in PubMed, Scholar, Elsevier, and Scopus databases with “electronic nicotine delivery systems”[Mesh] AND “seizures”[Mesh] as keywords. Among the available research, 15 articles were selected as sources for this writing.

Seizures resulting from the high electrical activity of the brain can be considered a consequence of nicotine toxicity. Inhalation of nicotine increases nicotine levels in plasma. Subsequently, nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in different body parts. These areas include brain parts associated with seizures and neuronal excitability, where these receptors are highly expressed, and their activation can also lead to seizures.

Although the long-term side effects of e-cigarettes are not fully understood, acute health problems, especially seizures, are now a matter of concern. Seizures might happen possibly due to nicotine toxicity, but the causal relationship between using e-cigarettes and seizures is not yet established and needs more information.