Vape E-Juice Science

WHAT IS AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE, E-CIG OR VAPORIZER?

An electronic cigarette, e-cig or e-cigarette, personal vaporizer or electronic nicotine delivery system is a battery-powered vaporizer that simulates the feeling of smoking, but without burning tobacco.  Instead of cigarette smoke, the user inhales the vapor of “e-juice” or “e-liquid” contents in the form of a vapor.  A serving size of e-juice is is turned into a vapor by a heating element.  The user automatically activates the e-cigarette by taking a puff; other devices turn on by pressing a button manually.  They are often cylindrical, with many variations. Their use is commonly called vaping. Some e-cigarettes look like traditional cigarettes, but others do not. There are disposable e-cigs and reusable versions.

E-cigarettes have 4 working components: a battery, heating element (atomizer), e-juice cartridge, and a mouth piece.  The battery heats up the atomizer, which causes a small portion of the e-juice from the cartridge to turn into a vapor that is available for consumption. E-liquids usually contain 3 ingredient categories: nicotine, flavorings, and propylene glycol.  E-liquids are also sold without propylene glycol, without nicotine, or without flavors.  Propylene glycol is the main ingredient, and its main purpose is to dilute the nicotine and flavorings.  The propylene glycol vaporizes at a set temperature, and carries the flavorings and nicotine with it.  Propylene glycol is often used with vegetable glycerin as a second carrier molecule.

What is Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (GV)?

Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin are very similar sugars that are used to dissolve the nicotine and flavorings.  PG has two alcohol groups on it, and VG has 3 alcohol groups on it.  There are two major differences in the two.  PG can carry flavors better, and VG gives larger clouds.  Some recent scrutiny has been given to PG, as claims of formaldehyde formation in the vaping process were observed.  This is not good, and is thought to come from vapes that have heating elements at at very high temperatures.  The industry has been moving towards VG as time has progressed, since VG is better established in the food industry.  VG is present in many consumer products and is generally accepted as safe.  VG is naturally found in the body, and can be fully digested.  We offer brands that are mixtures of PG/VG as well as 100% Organic VG.

What is Nicotine?

Nicotine is a small drug molecule.  It is the active ingredient in Tobacco.  Nicotines half life in the body is around 2 hours.  When Nicotine is inhaled, it passes the blood brain barrier in 10-20 seconds acting on the Nicotonic Acetylcholine Receptors.  Upon Binding, Dopamine levels in the body rise.  Need we say more?

What is flavoring?

Flavorings are where things get interesting in the vape world.  The possibilities of e-juice flavors are as vast as the food we eat every day around the world.  To put it into perspective, nicotine VG and PG are 3 molecules.  The flavor receptors that we have in our nose are in the millions.  The amount of different flavor combinations with this many receptors would cause an error on a calculator, excluding a supercomputer.

What is a MOD?

A MOD is a more advanced e-cig.  It has a larger battery, and allows variations to the atomizer.  The variations adjust how the atomizer is heated.  This is done through manipulating the electrical current that runs through the heating element.  Buttons are used on the MOD to adjust the varying electric currents.  Some other variations that the MOD can have is the atomizer.  For example, the heating element wrapped around a piece of cotton is easily accessible by removing the mouth piece.  When the mouth piece is removed from the MOD, e-juice is dripped onto the cotton, followed by the mouth piece being re-assembled.  As the atomizer vaporizes the e-juice, eventually it runs out and needs to be replenished.