While vaping is increasingly popular, it’s not just because it helps users quit smoking. In addition to being much cheaper and less harmful than tobacco (but e-cigarettes still pose potential health risks), vaping is also an opportunity to experiment with different flavors. What to choose as
liquid for vaping ? And, above all, what is this famous e-liquid and what is it made of? \n
What is e-liquid?
\nE-liquid is a fluid that is placed in the tank of an e-cigarette or vaping device and which creates vapor. In other words, e-liquid is what you inhale through the mouthpiece of your electronic cigarette. As its name suggests, this fluid is liquid. Only after being heated does it turn into a gas, or vapor, that you can inhale. Depending on the electronic cigarette you have and your own preference, the vapor juice is heated to a temperature between 90°C and 200°C, which changes it from liquid to vapor. . \n\nThe e-liquid is a mixture of water, nicotine (but not always, there are also nicotine-free fluids), propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG) or a mixture of the two, and flavors used in the food industry. Let's look at these ingredients in detail. \n
E-liquid: the ingredients
\nE-cigarettes do not contain tobacco or other harmful ingredients such as carbon monoxide and tar found in traditional cigarettes. We told you, e-cigarettes instead use a liquid nicotine solution called e-liquid or e-juice, in English. This e-liquid is composed of four basic ingredients: water, nicotine, flavors and a base of propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin (or sometimes a mixture of PG and VG). \n
Nicotine
\nNicotine is the addictive ingredient found in some electronic cigarette e-liquids and all traditional cigarettes. Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system and increases blood pressure, respiration and heart rate. When nicotine enters the brain, it releases a feeling of pleasure as dopamine levels increase. Manufacturers tend to offer their products in varying nicotine content ranges, from zero to 36 milligrams per milliliter. Nicotine, while not considered a carcinogen, is addictive and can prime the brain to become dependent on other substances. \n
Artificial flavors
\nThere are over seven thousand flavors, including cherry, coconut, fresh apple, tart, cinnamon and even tobacco. It would be impossible to list all the chemicals that create flavors here, but the chemical that stands out the most is diacetyl. It is commonly used to create a buttery flavor in popcorn. Although this chemical is thought to be perfectly harmless, some argue that inhaling it could trigger an incurable disease called bronchiolitis obliterans (OB). \n
Propylene glycol (PG)
\nIt is a liquid manufactured in a laboratory and is also found in foods, medicines and cosmetics. It is also used to make artificial smoke or fog for shows. It can irritate the lungs and eyes and may be more harmful to people with chronic lung diseases like asthma and emphysema. \n
Glycerin
\nOdorless and colorless, liquid glycerin has a slightly sweet taste. It is found in many products, including foods and medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. \n\nAlthough some of the ingredients listed above are known to be generally safe in foods and medications, the health risks that arise from inhaling large amounts of these chemicals over time remain fairly unknown.\n
