傳統香菸 vs 電子菸：英語精讀講義

Cigarettes and marijuana have been used for centuries,

香菸和大麻已經被人們使用了好幾個世紀，

but only recently has the process of vaporizing these substances become popular. 文法

但直到最近，將這些物質氣化的做法才開始流行。

So, what does science have to say about this technology? 表達脈絡

那麼，科學界怎麼看這項技術呢？

Is it actually better for you?

它真的對身體比較好嗎？

When smoking normally,

以一般方式吸菸時，

the heat from fire causes substances to change from a solid state to a vapor. 文法

火焰產生的熱會讓物質從固態變成蒸氣。

In cigarettes, this releases nicotine,

對香菸來說，這個過程會釋放尼古丁，

which is absorbed into your bloodstream through the lungs,

尼古丁經由肺部進入血液，

causing increased heart rate, 文法

使心跳加快、

constricted blood vessels,

血管收縮、

release of dopamine in the brain,

大腦釋放多巴胺，

and feelings of alertness.

並讓人感到清醒警覺。

But because nicotine is a stimulant,

但由於尼古丁是一種興奮劑，

once it's no longer present, you crash and crave more, 講解

一旦它從體內消退，你就會突然沒精神，並渴望再來一些，

which ultimately leads to addiction in many people.

最終導致許多人上癮。

In the case of marijuana,

至於大麻，

the active component THC is aerosolized and follows the same pathway into your body,

其活性成分 THC 會形成氣溶膠，並循相同路徑進入體內，

but with different effects,

但產生的效果不同，

which we explain in our video Your Brain on Marijuana here.

我們在這部《大麻如何影響你的大腦》影片中做了解釋。

Smoking only takes 6 seconds for the active compounds to reach your nervous system, 文法

吸菸時，活性化合物只需 6 秒就能抵達神經系統，

unlike chewing tobacco or eating edible marijuana,

不像嚼菸草或食用含大麻的食品，

which takes much more time.

後兩者需要久得多的時間。

But you have to inhale smoke in the process.

但在這個過程中，你必須吸入煙霧。

This smoke consists of partially burnt particles, 片語搭配

這些煙霧由未完全燃燒的微粒組成，

which creates tar in your body,

會在體內形成焦油，

has cancer-causing effects,

具有致癌作用、

blackens teeth,

燻黑牙齒，

and destroys taste buds.

並破壞味蕾。

This is where vaping comes in. 表達脈絡

這時，霧化吸入就派上用場了。

If you can heat the active components enough to become aerosolized 文法

如果能把活性成分加熱到足以形成氣溶膠，

without starting a combustion reaction with the other compounds, 文法

同時又不引發其他化合物的燃燒反應，

then you theoretically get fast effects without the damage of smoke inhalation.

理論上就能快速起效，同時避免吸入煙霧造成的傷害。

Vaping typically involves a glass or metal chamber,

霧化通常需要一個玻璃或金屬腔室，

which has an electrical current passing through it. 文法

電流會從中通過。

This way, it can heat to a controlled temperature,

這樣，腔室就能被加熱到設定溫度，

creating a vapor with minimal combustion, 表達脈絡

產生燃燒程度極低的蒸氣，

meaning you inhale much less smoke.

也就是說，你吸入的煙霧會少得多。

For marijuana users,

對大麻使用者來說，

vaporizers have become popular

霧化器已經愈來愈普及，

as the plant material can be heated to a specific temperature, 文法

因為它能將植物材料加熱到特定溫度，

usually between 185 to 210 degrees Celsius, 文法

通常介於攝氏 185 至 210 度，

allowing just the THC-containing vapor to be extracted.

從而只萃取出含 THC 的蒸氣。

For e-cigarettes,

對電子菸來說，

using a liquid solution instead of dried tobacco has become popular. 文法

使用液體溶液取代乾燥菸草的方式已經流行起來。

This e-liquid contains water, nicotine, a base, and occasionally flavorings,

這種煙油含有水、尼古丁、基質，偶爾還會加入香料，

and vaporizes at a much lower temperature.

並能在低得多的溫度下汽化。

But this is where things get tricky. 慣用語

但棘手之處就在這裡。

The e-liquid contains a base similar to that used in cosmetics and food, 文法

煙油中的基質與化妝品和食品所用的基質相似，

which helps maintain moisture without creating sogginess.

有助於保持水分，同時避免變得濕軟。

One common base called propylene glycol,

一種常見的基質叫做丙二醇，

which is used in theatrical smoke,

它也用於製造舞台煙霧，

is known to cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory infections. 文法

已知會刺激眼睛並引發呼吸道感染。

So, what's going to happen after prolonged inhalation in e-cigarettes?

那麼，長期透過電子菸吸入這種物質會有什麼後果？

Scientists are still studying these effects,

科學家仍在研究這些影響，

and even though in America the FDA has given the seal of approval, 講解

儘管美國 FDA 已經給予認可，

much is still unknown.

但仍有許多未知之處。

E-liquid can also differ greatly between manufacturers,

不同製造商生產的煙油也可能差異很大，

with barely any regulation for additives. 文法

而添加物幾乎不受規範。

Some have been found to contain diacetyl, 文法

有些煙油被發現含有雙乙醯，

a chemical that is known to give butter its buttery taste.

這種化學物質能賦予奶油特有的奶油香味。

Inhalation of this chemical can lead to scarring in the lungs

吸入這種化學物質會導致肺部留下疤痕，

known as popcorn lung, 文化背景

也就是所謂的「爆米花肺」，

named after hundreds of workers who inhaled the chemical 片語搭配

這個名稱源於數百名工人的遭遇：他們曾吸入這種化學物質，

in a microwavable popcorn factory

當時他們在一家微波爆米花工廠工作，

and suffered irreversible lung damage.

並因此遭受不可逆的肺部損傷。

This is an example of how the lack of quality control in e-cigarettes 表達脈絡

這個例子說明，電子菸缺乏品質管制

should be a significant concern.

理應引起高度重視。

But current evidence does indicate that vaporizers administer nicotine 文法

不過，現有證據確實顯示，霧化器可以輸送尼古丁，

with far less adverse effects 文法

而帶來的不良影響少得多，

due to decreased carcinogenic products and smoke inhalation.

因為致癌產物和煙霧吸入都減少了。

But less harmful does not mean safe. 表達脈絡

但危害較小並不代表安全。

E-cigarettes with added flavorings such as blueberry or grape

添加了藍莓或葡萄等口味的電子菸

have been found to contain other harmful chemicals,

已被發現含有其他有害化學物質，

and secondhand smoke is still an issue.

而且二手煙霧仍然是個問題。

Exhaled particles from vaporizers known as ultrafine particles

使用霧化器時呼出的微粒稱為超細微粒，

are known to affect pulmonary health.

已知會影響肺部健康。

Others are worried that because these e-cigs are deemed healthier, 講解

還有人擔心，由於這些電子菸被認為比較健康，

that they're becoming more appealing for young people. 片語搭配

它們對年輕人的吸引力正變得更大。

A study reported that continued use of e-cigarettes

一項研究報告指出，持續使用電子菸的比例

for teens in grades 6 to 12

在六到十二年級的青少年中

had increased from 6% to 20% over 3 years. 片語搭配

三年內從 6% 上升到 20%。

On the other hand, much of the information we have 表達脈絡

另一方面，我們掌握的許多資訊

on the adverse effects of smoking comes from long-term studies

都來自關於吸菸危害的長期研究，

with cancers appearing much later in life. 文法

而癌症往往要到人生後期才會出現。

Since vaporizer use is relatively new,

由於霧化器的使用相對較新，

we simply don't have the same access to longitudinal studies. 用詞

我們根本沒有同樣的縱向研究可供參考。

So, we'll wait to see what the future brings. 慣用語

所以，未來會如何，我們只能拭目以待。

Special thanks to Audible for supporting this episode

特別感謝 Audible 對本集影片的支持，

and giving you a free audiobook at audible.com/asap.

也感謝它在 audible.com/asap 為你提供一本免費有聲書。

This week, we wanted to recommend the book Elon Musk:

本週，我們想推薦《Elon Musk：

Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance,

Tesla、SpaceX 與追尋美好未來》，作者 Ashlee Vance。

which explores the full spectacle and arc of the genius's life, work, and vision.

這本書全景式地呈現了這位天才的人生、事業與願景軌跡。

You can get a free copy at audible.com/asap

你可以在 audible.com/asap 免費取得一本，

or any others of your choice from a massive selection.

也可以從龐大書庫中任選其他一本。

We love them as they're great when you're on the go. 慣用語

我們很喜歡有聲書，因為出門在外時特別適合聽。

Don't forget to ask your burning questions 慣用語

別忘了提出那些讓你百思不解的問題，

and subscribe for more weekly science videos.

並訂閱頻道，每週觀看更多科學影片。