The recent issues surrounding vaping in the US have highlighted the importance of not only checking that your e-liquids ingredients have been prepared safely, but also knowing exactly what is in them.
The last couple of years have seen a range of ‘alternative’ vaping products flood the market alongside less-than-safe options through unregulated channels. This has seen many ‘fad’ oils and supplements leading the pack and conversation about them dominate online forums. While a change is as good as a rest, it’s important to be fully informed about the risks involved with using a new product and - in particular – what oils or products that should be avoided wherever possible. So, how are ‘oils’ used in vaping and what ones should I avoid if I want to stay safe?
Why are oils used?
Conventional vapes will not use certain highly regulated oils to ‘act’ a carrier for the flavour or the stimulant in the e liquid. These are normally vegetable glycerides and are produced to the most stringent UK and EU standards. These allow for quality transmission of your chosen flavour or product – though pure e liquids does use other ingredients such as CBD and more.This makes every puff as smooth and potent as the last and ensures you won’t be hit with any nasty surprises or a bitter, burnt aftertaste. However - with so much variety on the market - it can be difficult to know what oils or carriers to potentially avoid and the potential hazards of trying them as part of your normal vaping experience.What oil ingredients should I avoid
While conventional vaping is highly regulated, there can be many risks to users that choose to stray off the beaten track into the world of black-market or street vapes. These are commonly produced in unregulated conditions overseas that can range from a cross-contaminating factory to an individual’s back room. All our CBD infused vaping materials and beauty products are made from the highest pharmaceutical grade ingredients. Choosing to go ‘off brand’ or following online suggestions can leave you ending up with an e liquid that cuts corners when it comes to ingredients, tastes awful, and can leave you open to contracting serious lung disease. So, here are some ingredients that it’s always better to avoid.
Vitamin E: If taken orally or through medically administered injection, Vitamin E is an essential part of the body’s immune system and occurs naturally in natural products such as olive oil, nuts and wheatgerm. However, adding Vitamin E into any vaping solution can be dangerous as it is used to ‘cut’ or thing the product as a diluting agent. This can react with any of the substances already in the e liquid and can potentially result in the production of harmful lipids that can quickly lead to bacterial pneumonia or worse.
Pure THC: Currently illegal in the UK – THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid of the cannabis plant. While research into its medical benefits is ongoing, it is commonly known to many individuals as a recreational drug. When taken as an oil, the substance becomes incredibly potent and can have marked side effects for users. At best, even the most careful user is likely to ‘whitey’ and become nauseous, dizzy and violently sick – with no natural way to end the ‘trip’ aside from riding it out. And – like overindulging in alcohol – often leaves an unpleasant sense memory that can produce a genuine and visceral reaction to the substance if consumed again. At worst, this can and leave you open to contracting serious lung disease or being fatally poisoned as reported throughout the United States.
Coconut Oil: A popular beauty treatment, coconut oil carries many positive properties for regular healthcare. High in saturated fats, the consumption of coconut oil infused products can actually promote fat burning in the body through the creation of ‘good’ High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) that can encourage heart health. It’s also increasingly popular a natural moisturiser with a satisfying texture, very much like the growing popularity of CBD creams and balms. However, the same cannot be said for vaping coconut oil. This is due to it being a medium-chain triglyceride which has the potential to produce harmful chemicals if heated above 230 degrees, the conventional working temperature for most vaping devices. This can lead to an acrid taste if vaped over a long period and result in the build-up of harmful chemicals in your lungs.
Raw Essential Oils: Many advocates swear by the power of essential oils. Chemically a ‘hydrophobic liquid’ these are the refined oils of the ‘mother’ plant that they are extracted from – providing powerful scents as a result. These are commonly deployed by homeopathy practitioners during session and commercially used as in cosmetics, soaps, and candles. However, adding them to your vaping experience is highly unadvisable. Aside from issues around long-term lung health, using plant oils can provoke adverse allergic reactions in some users and – as each oil comes from a different source – can produce unpredictable effects and combust at higher or lower rates.