What does vaping do to your lungs: Health risks, facts & myths

What does vaping do to your lungs: Health risks, facts & myths

According to recent studies by cancer surgeon Stephen Broderick, "In the last 24 to 36 months, I've noticed an enormous spike in vape users. But the long- and short-term health impacts are still unknown.

Some potentially harmful substances are found in the lungs after vaping, such as vitamin E is likely an irritant when inhaled. Other frequent chemicals like Diacetyl, Formaldehyde, and Acrolein that are present in e-liquid or formed when heated may also be harmful to the lungs.

Myth: It is just as dangerous as cigarette smoking.

Fact: According to the WHO, traditional cigarettes kill over 50% of long-term users and contain 7000 hazardous compounds.

While vaping is considered to be a new idea in the globally smoking community it is a sound way to intake nicotine without smoking tobacco. Our article will discuss the potential myths and true facts that revolve around this market so you can get a better understanding of various resulting health issues.

Vaping-related illnesses (introduction)

There is a common misunderstanding that vaping and mysterious illnesses are related. It's because the media sometimes is quick to criticize vapes and seems to publish sensationalized news stories before all the facts are known.

The main culprit behind these mysterious ailments is vitamin E acetate, typically present in illicit items sold on the black market. You can avoid these situations by only buying from a regulated and reputable supplier. 

Popcorn Lung Myth

The myth that vapes cause "popcorn lung" — a rare condition that can cause irreversible airway obstruction, resulting from severe damage to the bronchioles — originates from a 2016 Harvard study in which researchers detected the chemical diacetyl in a sample of vaping products. 

In 2001, an outbreak of this disease occurred among workers in a microwave-popcorn factory who inhaled high levels of vaporized diacetyl, sometimes used to create butter-like flavors.

Although vaping has not been associated with popcorn lung at this point, Diacetyl and other chemical flavorants inhaled by vape users may undoubtedly present respiratory dangers.

What is Vapers Tongue?

A vaper who develops a "vaper's tongue" will suddenly and unpredictably lose their ability to taste liquid. It often lasts for a few hours to days. When you get used to a stimulant, your body stops noticing it much as it does with most of our senses.

The same phenomenon occurs with perfume, for example. You cannot smell the same as you did when you first applied it because your nose has become used to it. If you use a different scent, you will suddenly sense the fragrance.

This also holds true for your e-liquid. Alter the flavor of your juice for at least a day, and you should be able to taste the previous flavor once more when your taste buds have "forgotten" it.

Vapor tongue can be treated in several ways, including: 

  • Drinking more water.
  • Wipe the tongue.
  • Give up smoking.
  • Give yourself more time between vapes.
  • Alternate juices.
  • Switch juices.

Truth about diacetyl in your vaping e-liquid

The chemical is utilized in vapes for the same flavoring purpose as in food. Diacetyl enables vaping businesses to offer flavors like fruit, candy, and dessert. Consuming diacetyl is safe. However, it can permanently scar the lungs if it is breathed.

It is important to note that Diacetyl is banned from vape products sold in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

To be safe, TPD legislation in the Switzerland, UK and the EU prohibits producing E-liquids that include diacetyl, thus, no E-liquids that contain the substance that is thought to cause "Popcorn Lung" sickness are available in the region. There is absolutely no cause for concern for vapers living in these regions.

As per the official findings of Cancer Research UK and the American FDA, harmful chemicals like Vitamin E Acetate or Polyethylene Glycol are the leading cause of the issue. The UK/EU does not use them as ingredients to produce vape juices. 

Are PG and VG safe?

Propylene Glycol (PG) AND Vegetable Glycerine (VG) are both non-toxic organic substances that are considered safe for human intake. Since many years ago, they have been widely utilized as food additives in various commercially available food items, including cheese, cereal, ice cream, and soft drinks. The base of all e-liquids is made up of PG and VG, which give vaping its throat hit and vapor clouds.

Inhaling VG or PG had "no evident effects on the assessed endpoints in the respiratory system," according to a 2017 study, indicating that there was no change to the lungs.

Large vape clouds are created mainly by the thick, sweet liquid known as vegetable glycerin during vaping. A tasteless, thin liquid called propylene glycol gives vapes their characteristic throat hit. A maximum VG blend is advised for vapers who may have PG allergies. 

The flavorings in e-liquid: are they safe?

E-liquids are safe to use until dangerous ingredients that cause mystery illness, and popcorn lung disease are eliminated. People believe all liquids are hazardous because of the negative media coverage and online misinformation concerning e-juices.

E-liquid flavorings are of the highest quality. These flavorings have undergone extensive testing to guarantee they won't harm the body when consumed. They must adhere to TPD regulations if you buy your e-liquids from a reputable manufacturer in the EU. You may feel secure knowing that all the regulatory organizations that approved them for general consumption have given their seal of approval for your E-Liquid flavorings. 

What are the health side effects of vaping?

Vaping has side effects depending on how much you vape or the e-liquid you pick. Users who want to stop smoking regular cigarettes are the ones who should use the most.

None of the included studies (short- to mid-term, up to two years) found any severe adverse events that were thought to be possibly related to vaping use, according to the electronic cigarette for smoking cessation. The most typical negative consequences of vaping include:

Dry mouth

PG and VG, the main components of e-liquid, create dry mouth during vaping. Both PG and VG can drive the problem; however, higher PG concentrations are thought to be the bigger culprit. This is due to the fact that both PG and VG are hygroscopic and absorb water.

Keep yourself hydrated with water or use oral rehydration products that you can rinse your mouth out with if you suffer dry mouth while vaping. In most cases, dry mouth caused by vaping is moderate and resolves on its own over time, but if it persists, it might be worthwhile to see a doctor.

Dizziness or headrush

The nicotine in e-liquids is mostly to blame for the dizziness that happens while beginning a new vaping habit. When the body is not adapted to this level of impact, nicotine's specific effect on the neurological system can cause lightheadedness. The sensation of disorientation is actually caused by a sudden shift in the balance of neurochemicals in the brain, which results in a "head rush"-like sensation that makes us feel momentarily almost high.

Feeling tired and fatigued

Nicotine has two effects: it can be highly energizing and depleting. It may have one or both effects, be minor or intense, depending on the person. The effects of nicotine exhaustion are quite similar to those of a caffeine crash.

Try adjusting your nicotine strength to discover the one that is best for your body if you find that vaping makes you sleepy, or stop vaping if you don't think you need it. Because their bodies are not accustomed to the chemical, novice vapers with little or no smoking history frequently experience fatigue and exhaustion while vaping.

Sore throat

Sore throats are by far the most typical side effect of vaping. This frequently results from using an e-liquid with a PG concentration that is too high for your body to handle. It can also be connected to the flavorings used (e.g., you may be allergic to certain ingredients or additives), or even the coil may be the cause if it is nickel-based.

After vaping, treating each issue one at a time is the best approach for relieving sore throat. Start by experimenting with an e-liquid that contains more VG than PG. If it doesn't work, check the contents of the e-liquid and remove each one until the issue is resolved. Try switching your device if this method doesn't work.

Coughing

An incorrect vaping technique often causes coughing. It is also caused by e-liquid with too much nicotine, which irritates the lungs, or trying to take a cig-like draw on a vaping device with a high airflow are the two most common causes of coughing while vaping.
Check to see whether your device's airflow isn't too high if you find yourself frequently coughing when inhaling from your vape:

  • If the airflow is restricted, your device is a mouth-to-lung device designed for e-liquids with higher nicotine concentrations. Before entering your lungs, the vapor first enters your mouth.
  • If the airflow is simple (like sucking through a straw), then your vape device is a direct,-to-lung one; the vapor does not first pass through the mouth before going directly to the lungs.

Headaches

People who have recently quit smoking frequently have headaches. This is due to nicotine's insufficient alkaloid content when taken alone. There is nothing else in E-Liquid that would give you a headache, but if you consume too much nicotine at once, it may cause the issue. Reduce your nicotine intake or vape less frequently if vaping is giving you a headache.

Weight loss/gain

The most important thing to realize is that smoking does not aid in weight loss. You should note that the nicotine it contains can make you eat less. In order to prevent the increase in appetite that comes with quitting smoking, safer alternatives such as vapes can offer a different supply of nicotine.

According to the study's findings on public perception, one in 16 English adults who have smoked within the past year believe that vaping will prevent weight gain after quitting smoking. vapes are used for this reason by one in every 22 vapers. However, one in eight smokers would be tempted to quit smoking and switch to using vapes should studies show that they don't cause weight gain.

Nausea

Nicotine may also be to blame if you feel nauseous or sick after vaping, whether it is strong or light. If you are allergic to certain substances in an e-liquid, it may also make you feel queasy.

The sensations of nausea brought on by nicotine will disappear over time. The only effective remedy for nausea brought on by an ingredient is to use an e-liquid that does not make you feel sick. Identifying the substances that are making you queasy frequently requires trial and error.

Chest pain from vaping

Chest pain caused by vaping could have many causes. It could be due to high nicotine levels, excessive heat, or even particular flavorings in a specific e-liquid. Stop vaping if you're feeling chest pain that seems to be related to what you're vaping. Consult a doctor if the chest pain doesn't go away.

Switching from cigarettes to vaping

By switching to vaping instead of smoking tobacco, you'll expose yourself to less harmful and cancer-causing substances. Nicotine is delivered less hazardously by vaping than by smoking cigarettes.

When you stop smoking, you will experience withdrawal from hundreds of harmful compounds included in cigarettes in addition to the nicotine. A slight withdrawal from the other elements will still occur even if vaping E-Liquid will reduce your appetite for nicotine. This will pass in time.

How bad is nicotine

The addictive chemical nicotine is obtained from tobacco leaves. The nicotine in E-Liquid is no more toxic than the nicotine in tobacco, which is not at all harmful; instead, you should be concerned about all the other chemicals.

Nicotine is equally safe to consume as coffee, toxicologically speaking. It has modest adverse effects, including an increased heart rate and occasionally elevated blood pressure (like coffee), which might make you feel lightheaded and dizzy.

Nicotine poisoning

Nicotine poisoning is when your body has absorbed too much nicotine, and you feel sick. The consequences of nicotine poisoning range from mild to moderate, but they are incredibly uncommon to be life-threatening. If you believe you have consumed too much nicotine, don't worry; while the effects are unpleasant, they will eventually disappear.

Pale skin, coughing, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness are possible adverse effects. Simply stop using nicotine for a while until the symptoms diminish if you encounter them while using nicotine, and then think about utilizing a reduced nicotine dosage moving forward.

The lethal dose of nicotine

Both nicotine and coffee have the potential to be fatal in extremely high doses. According to the most recent estimations, an adult would need to consume between 500 mg and 1000 mg of nicotine before they would die. That is roughly equal to 250 to 500 cigarettes. That's almost impossible for even a chain smoker; your body only absorbs around one-tenth of the nicotine or roughly 1 mg.

It is impossible to consume this much nicotine using vapes instead of batteries and to create significant clouds.

Nicotine & cigarettes harm to your health

Smoking cigarettes results in heart disease, stroke, lung illnesses, diabetes, and immune system problems and contains approximately 7000 toxic compounds. Additionally, it raises the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and other immune system-related diseases like tuberculosis and other eye ailments.

Nicotine is a toxic and very addicting substance. It may increase heart rate, blood flow to the heart, blood pressure, and artery constriction (vessels that carry blood). In addition to contributing to artery wall hardening, nicotine may also increase the risk of a heart attack.

Summary of vaping health risks, facts & myths

As a result of our discussion, we have identified some potential adverse health impacts of nicotine and vaping. There are a number of absolutely untrue beliefs about the use of vapes. Our article and research that is readily available online provide evidence, and we can say that,

Vaping products do not:

  • emit smoke 
  • include tobacco
  • involve burning

Except for nicotine, vaping products often include:

  • a smaller number of the 7,000 chemicals contained in tobacco smoke; 
  • lower concentrations of a number of the dangerous compounds.

As the global market continues to search for better smoking options the vaping industry is certainly looking bright. Statistics suggest that the number is increasing each year and vaping may soon take a major share in the nicotine department. Before selecting any vape product make sure to note all of the ingredients. A quality item would not contain any harmful material that may damage your health in the long or short term.