The issue with variables and loops that OP described is worse with React, since you create closure inside the render function for event handlers, and if that closure captures any state variables (rather than a getter function for example), then you'll end up referencing stale state. React relies on linters to protect against this, but that only goes so far and the API design makes it easy to screw up, so you have to be on your toes.

Edit: To be clear, this is specifically a React hooks problem, not the old React with classes.