A woman recently shared her journey of overcoming a substantial vaping habit. Initially, she didn’t believe she was hooked, but it became evident it was affecting her health.

Journalist Sophie Law opened up about her battle with vaping, believing for the longest time that it wasn’t harmful simply because it wasn’t smoking. She told her story to emphasize how easy it is to fall into such habits.

Research suggests vaping might be less dangerous than traditional smoking. However, as a relatively new product, limited information is available on its long-term effects.

Sophie explained how her dependency grew over time. “Like any addiction, it snuck up on me. It began with a few puffs on social occasions but soon I was attached to vapes, unable to be without one,” she shared. “Before I realized, vaping became a constant – morning, day, and night.”

The turning point came when Sophie read the book “Dopamine Nation” by Dr. Anna Lembke. This book provided her with a fresh perspective on her situation, enlightening her on the nature of her dependency.

The stark realization came when she equated her vape usage to smoking 100 cigarettes a week. “The vape I used, Lost Mary BM600, contains about 20mg of nicotine per unit, roughly equal to 20 cigarettes. At my peak, I went through five weekly. That’s 100mg of nicotine, akin to 100 cigarettes” she detailed.

The crux of her enlightenment was understanding the science behind addiction. Nicotine stimulates an immediate dopamine surge, offering a fleeting sense of joy. However, that feeling quickly dissipates, often leading to discomfort, irritability, and anxiety.

Sophie realized she needed to endure the discomfort and retrain her brain away from the cravings, eventually leading to reducing these instances over time. She removed temptations, changing her habits and opting for a healthier lifestyle.

Taking a bold step, she quit vaping cold turkey. By doing so, she worked towards recalibrating her brain’s reward system.

Reflecting on her progress, she celebrated being vape-free for a month, having finally defeated the ‘nicotine noise’ that once dictated her day-to-day life.

Sophie’s story is a testament to how knowledge and willpower can empower individuals to overcome habits that seem insurmountable. Though still on her journey, she continues to make strides and hopes to inspire others facing similar challenges.