Vaping has continued to grow strong since it hit the mainstream about a decade ago. It has become a trendy and better alternative to smoking according to many, but is that really the case? Are vape pens dangerous? Do they carry any health risks? How is vaping better than smoking? This complete vape guide provides answers to these burning questions.
What are Vape Pens?
Vape pens or vaporizers are portable battery-powered devices that use a heating mechanism to convert cannabis or nicotine known as vape juice into inhalable vapors. Although vape pens come in different shapes and sizes, they mostly look like a regular pen or marker, making them very pocket-friendly.
Vape pens have three major components – the batteries which provide power for the device, the mouthpiece used for inhaling, and the oven or heating element.
Unlike smoking, vaporizers don’t combust your materials, thus reducing the production of toxic chemicals that could harm the body. Vape pens use different heating techniques like conduction or convection system to extract only the active ingredients from you cannabis without burning it.
Benefits
Part of the reason why vape pens have become very popular come from the benefits they offer, some of which includes
– Help Quit Smoking
These days, the number of people smoking or wanting to smoke has significantly reduced and vaping contributed to this feat.
Vaping replicates the same feeling smoking gives to a smoker. A 2015 study estimated that 2000 adult smokers were able to stop smoking by using e-cigs and vaporizers as a substitute.
– No Nasty Smell
Vaping also eliminates the production of nasty smell that can stick to your body and clothes as it is with the case of smoking. The odor from smoking is really awful that it can easily give you away as a smoker when you are around people. The smell from vaping, however, is usually that of the flavor of your nicotine or e-juice, and it doesn’t stick to your clothes.
Are Vape Pens Dangerous?
This is quite a complicated question to answer, as there is still much unknown information about vaping. Although critical studies on vaping are still ongoing, the long term effects of vape pens are yet to be determined.
So far, there are many concerns about the risks of vaping. Within the last few months, there have been at least three death reports and over 400 cases of fatal respiratory issues tied to the use of e-cigs and vape pens.
However, the exact cause of the deaths and illnesses is still unclear despite ongoing investigations, although the major chemicals used in producing vape juices and cartridges have been confirmed safe for human consumption.
For one thing, though, buying cheap vape devices can be dangerous for your health as you face the risks of buying a fake vape cartridge. Always go for a high-quality device – even though it costs more money.
– Different Nicotine Levels
Nicotine can be very addictive, and it is the primary ingredient used in making traditional cigarettes. Having a high-quality vape pen gives greater flexibility in the level of nicotine you consume until you finally get comfortable with taking little to no nicotine concentrates. Thankfully, almost all e-liquids that are produced these days are free from nicotine. If an e-juice contains nicotine, it is usually freebase nicotine, and it will be started on the bottle label with the percentage.
– Fruity Flavors
Vape juices and cartridges come in different flavors that you can choose from. Some of the major flavors include lemon, peppermint, apple pie, watermelon, coffee, etc.
– Less Toxins than Cigarettes
Since vape pens only extract the active ingredients from your cannabis or nicotine to produce tasty vapors, they reduce the risks of inhaling toxins compared to traditional cigarettes.