A pretty unsettling simulation has shown what happens to our bodies as we vape… which is something a lot of people do these days.
They may smell like bubblegum and come in sleek packaging – but they can be very harmful to your health.
While millions have swapped out traditional cigarettes in favor of vaping — often marketed as the “healthier” alternative — recent research and eye-opening simulations suggest that e-cigarettes might be more harmful than many think.
A startling visual shared by The Infographics Show has gone viral for showing just how badly vaping can affect your lungs.
The animation illustrates how chemicals in e-cigarettes can cause a build-up of mucus and damage to the alveoli — tiny sacs in the lungs responsible for the crucial exchange of oxygen.
Among the most concerning ingredients highlighted is diacetyl — a chemical commonly found in some foods but not something you’d want settling into your respiratory system.
According to the simulation, inhaling this compound can cause long-term damage that mirrors the effects once only associated with cigarette smoke.
So how did we get here?
Vaping devices are typically made up of a few key components: a mouthpiece, a battery, a microprocessor, a heating element, and a cartridge containing e-liquid.
When the device is activated, the heating element turns the liquid into vapor, which is then inhaled — just like cigarette smoke, but flavored for a smoother experience.
That flavoring is part of the problem. With sweet-smelling options and eye-catching designs, these devices have become especially appealing to younger users. In fact, it’s become a full-blown social trend among teens and college-age adults.
According to Truth Initiative, a 2023 study revealed that 4.6% of middle school students and 10% of high school students — approximately 2.13 million young people — had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
Among them, 11.4% of middle schoolers and nearly 30% of high schoolers reported using e-cigs daily.
An overwhelming 89.4% of these young users reported using flavored brands such as Elf Bars, Lost Mary, and GeekVape — names now common in school bathrooms and college dorm rooms across the country.
While the flavors may mask the harshness, the danger is still very real.
Experts warn that repeatedly inhaling substances like diacetyl and other chemicals found in vapes could have a “paralytic effect” on the lung cilia — the tiny hair-like structures that help keep your airways clear.
The simulation suggests that when these cilia are damaged, it can take weeks for them to recover, leaving your lungs vulnerable to infections and even chronic conditions like cancer.
The verdict? That tiny device might seem harmless — even trendy — but it carries some serious risks.
