Expected and Actual Mood Regulation associated with Electronic Cigarette Use

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) represent a family of nicotine-delivery devices that have been gaining in popularity in the past ten years, primarily among cigarette smokers. While the literature evaluating the prevalence, safety, and acute effects of these devices is still emerging, recent studies have demonstrated that e-cig use (“vaping”) exerts acute effects on craving, withdrawal, urge to smoke conventional cigarettes, and possibly mood. This pilot study aimed to add to this literature, with a focus on the potential role of mood regulation for e-cig use. The current study employed a 2 x 2 mixed within- and between-subjects design, manipulating nicotine content and mood context: Nineteen dual users (conventional and electronic cigarettes) were randomized to use an e-cig either with or without nicotinized solution over the course of two laboratory sessions, one to induce negative mood, and, the other, a neutral control. From before to after vaping, participants evidenced a reduction in measures of negative affect (NA), subjective nicotine withdrawal, and urge to smoke cigarettes, as well as an enhancement of positive affect. These effects were evident regardless of mood condition visit; however, after negative mood induction via IAPS slides presentation, there was evidence of greater change in NA from before to after vaping compared to neutral condition. In addition, participants who were female and reported greater recent depression symptoms demonstrated greater NA overall, and potentially greater relief of NA from before to after vaping during the negative mood condition. These findings add to the growing literature characterizing those who vape, and among dual conventional cigarette and electronic cigarette users suggests presence of acute mood reinforcing effects in addition to attenuated nicotine withdrawal and urge to smoke due to vaping, effects that may maintain vaping and other substance use over time.