What is E-Juice, and Where is It Available?

Due to various public health and tobacco cessation policies developed by the World Health Organization in the late 20th century, the world has seen a considerable decrease in the number of smokers. However, a few years later, e-cigarettes or vape pens became popular in the market.

Manufacturers advertised that e-juices, used in e-cigarettes, do not have the deleterious effects of tobacco and other harmful substances present in a traditional cigarette. Studies also show that e-cigarettes can help to quit smoking. A 2020 survey found that about 6.8 million people have chosen to use e-cigarettes over tobacco.

However, before you begin using e-cigarettes, it is imperative to do a little background check on the e-juice you are about to use, the ingredients it contains, and how it can affect your health. This article will address every question you have about e-juice, including its constituents, effects, health concerns, and places where you can find them.

What is E-juice?

E-juice, also known as vape juice or oil, is a unique blend of chemical compounds. These liquids became popular in 2003 when e-cigarettes were first launched in the market.

These e-juices are found in different-sized cartridges which need to be fitted inside an e-cigarette or vape pen. Or, they are available as vials with droppers, and you can load an e-cigarette by putting a few drops in it.

When you turn on the e-cigarette, the vaporizer inside the machine heats up to about 200-400 degrees Fahrenheit to transform the e-juices into vapor. This vapor is inhaled for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. To buy vape juices of different flavors, check out the Vapecraft e-juice available here.

What Does E-juice Contain?

E-juices are a mixture of multiple ingredients, such as propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), and many more. Each constituent of e-juice has distinct use and effects. Sometimes, manufacturers also add a few botanical extracts like CBD and THC to make the e-juices more potent therapeutically. Let's look into some details to learn more about e-juices.

1. Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is an FDA-approved ingredient included in e-juices as a moisture-retentive agent. It has a mild, sweet flavor and is used as a vehicle to carry the additive flavors in an e-juice. The higher the concentration of propylene glycol in a vape juice, the stronger the hit its vapor will produce.

2. Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin or glycerol is a transparent, viscous fluid obtained from soybean, palm trees, and even animal fat. It is used as a thickening agent in e-juices. It determines how thick the vape clouds will be.

3. Flavoring Agents

Manufacturers use various natural as well as synthetic flavoring agents in vape juices to make them more enjoyable. You can find e-juices in minty or fruity flavors like cherry, strawberry, apple, orange, lemon, blueberry, etc. All the flavors used in e-juices are approved by the Flavors Extracts Manufacturers Association or FEMA and are safe to inhale.

4. Nicotine

Most e-juices contain some amount of nicotine. Chronic cigarette smokers often use Nicotine-infused vape juices to get rid of their addiction. Nicotine has a mild peppery flavor and has a relaxing effect on a person. Smoking the nicotine in tobacco cigarettes can have adverse effects on your health. But, scientists found that vaping nicotine has much less risk. However, vaping nicotine e-juices can be addictive too.

CBD E-Juices:

CBD or Cannabidiol e-juices is simply a usual vape juice made up of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring agents, and terpenes with added CBD extracts. However, CBD vape juices do not usually contain nicotine. The CBD extracts infused in the e-juice are obtained from the Cannabis Sativa plant and impart multiple beneficial effects. These are not generally addictive and do not produce a euphoric effect.

CBD vaping can help in relieving anxiety and treating insomnia. It is also very beneficial in managing epilepsy and other neuropathic disorders. Vaping CBD e-juice helps in treating symptoms of Type-2 diabetes too. It also lowers blood pressure. Some people also say that vaping CBD has helped them cope with the pain and discomfort associated with chemotherapy.

THC E-juice:

Much like CBD vape juice, THC e-juices have similar composition, lacking nicotine. It has THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) extracts obtained from Cannabis Sativa plants instead of CBD extracts. THC e-juices can have up to 90% of THC concentration. Vaping these e-juices produces a psychoactive effect. It helps in alleviating anxiety and depressive behavior and induces good quality sleep. THC vaping also improves appetite.

Is E-juice Safe to Use?

Though manufacturers often promote e-juices as a healthy substitute for cigarettes, it is not risk-free.

Some e-juices contain Vitamin E acetate, which can be very harmful to your lungs. Vaping e-juices for a long time can damage your taste buds and cause a complete or partial loss of taste.

According to a review published in 2019, the e-liquid aerosols produced during vaping can negatively affect our heart and circulatory system. Another study conducted in the same year concluded that chronic use of e-juices increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and angina.

A 2016 study stated that vaping e-juices could adversely affect your teeth and gums and trigger periodontal diseases.

A report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared that vaping e-juices containing nicotine could suppress brain development in teenagers and young adults.

Where Can You Find E-juices?

You can either buy e-juices from online stores and websites or offline dispensaries and shops. Each option had its pros and cons. Most people prefer buying it online as they get lucrative offers and discounts from brand websites. Online stores also have third-party lab test reports displayed on their websites. This helps in proving them greater credibility. Online shopping also has the advantage of getting the products delivered to your doorstep. You can also return the product if there are defects.

However, if you want to sample the flavors before buying e-juices, offline shopping is a better idea. You will be able to smell each flavor and find out which one is best for your tastebuds. Unlike online stores, offline retail shops give you the flexibility to bargain and save money. But, offline shops do not usually have a variety of brands and flavors compared to online stores.

The Bottom Line

E-juices have become very popular among the youth in recent years. Though it is believed to be safe to consume, e-juices can sometimes contain certain chemicals which can harm our health. Thus, you must look into the ingredients of the e-juice before you buy one for consumption. We believe this article has helped you to have a basic idea about the contents of an e-juice, its effects, and where you can buy it.

Photo Courtesy Flickr/Linsday Fox