Is 0nic vaping 'safe'?

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Ayha

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I've been looking into getting an e-cig because I've found I have a really strange desire to smoke despite not actually being a smoker. I've been around smokers my entire life and my Mum smoked a lot before she was pregnant and started again afterwards because it relieved her stress, apparently. Recently (for about a year now) I get urges to smoke despite only having a few and I think it is mostly a psychological issue, cause by my family smoking and telling me it's calming, which is why I'm looking for no nicotine cigs (I'm stressed a hell of a lot.)
So, here are the questions. Is vaping safe if you do it with no nicotine? And what type of kit should I pick up if I want no nicotine?
Thanks in advance.
 

DiNet

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Nicotine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
producing a calming, pain-killing effect
Nicotine, not vaping... Wouldn't recommend to anyone ever start this addiction that we tend to fight are fighting...
Please don't. Just stay healthy. There are some studies that tend to show that nicotine is even healthy in something, but I doubt we'll know truth anytime soon.
 
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markfm

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I concur with OT, it really is better to avoid PV if you don't smoke already.

Also, the "relaxation" part of vaping (or smoking) is, unfortunately, at least in part due to the nicotine, which you wouldn't get in nic-free eliquid. You basically get a boost in the "feel-good" dopamine level. (Cigs, along with nicotine, have a boatload of other chemicals, many really bad and some, called MAOI, act to extend the duration that the dopamine is active.)

Vaping is for me reduced harm/risk, but I definitely wouldn't call it risk-free, even with zero nicotine. I used to smoke, for many years, now I only vape. If a friend smokes, even a little, I'd suggest changing to vaping at those times. If a friend doesn't smoke, I'd suggest not starting vaping.

It's good to ask, which you did :)
 

Ayha

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Dec 26, 2012
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Thanks for the feedback. I'll take into account what you have said, however lets say I do take it up (I'm unsure though) are there any known or terribly bad side effects to it? I doubt there would be but I'm not the most educated on this subject.
Also since I'm definitely not going to have nicotine and that's what calms, does anyone know any 'quick-fix' stress relievers? I know exercise helps but I don't have the time or money.
Yet again thank you for the response.
 

all_in_ashes

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I have to second all the opinions here. If you're not already nicotine-dependent, you should avoid e-cigs if at all possible, and you should never pick up an actual cigarette. You should consider a healthier 'high' such as exercise (I know it sounds hokey). Working out gets me so pumped up with positive energy and it makes you feel better about yourself. You could look for a local group that hikes, runs or bikes together...
 

markfm

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The bases used in eliquids, PG and VG, are humectants, they dry your throat out -- you need to drink a lot of water or will be hoarse.

Some people have sensitivity to PG, and some to VG, although many are fine with both (I am). There are a range of reactions, including things like common hives (welts) if you have a strong sensitivity to something. The same goes for the flavorings in the eliquids, some people have sensitivity to more synthetic flavorings, have to use organic flavorings, etc. Similar to food or chemical sensitivity in other aspects of life -- my sister has PG sensitivity, so only vapes VG eliquids, but then again she sees the same sensitivity with products like vaseline intensive skin care, which has PG. If something feels bad, don't use it.

No clue on quick-fix stress relievers. I do vape, am big on exercise. There are some little hand squeeze balls, filled with gel pellets, StressBall or SpiritBall are the ones I got at a local dollar store. Walking is available to many of us, even 10 - 15 minutes early in the day, or at lunch, can help a lot.

Good luck!
 

FloridaNoob

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One thing to understand, too, is that the "act of smoking" or the "act ov vaping" are getting you to do deep breathing, which in and of itself is a calming effect. You also have to be careful that the juice you get has 0nic. Tobacco flavored juice is made from real tobacco and thus even though it claims to have 0 nic it has been found to contain some trace amounts of nic in it. I would go with a flavored juice if you are set on vaping as a way of calming yourself.

However, I would also agree avoid doing this at all costs if you don't nor have ever smoked. Try to take some deep clensing breaths. Just like smoking of vaping would do for you.
 

fourthrok

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Good catch, DiNet....it's the nicotine that your family members find "relaxing" or stress relieving...not just the act of smoking.

Actually...that isn't quite true, as a previous poster pointed out. Yes...smoking can give you the illusion of "relaxing"...but nicotine is really a stimulant. As for other aspects the smoker finds relaxing? Amazes me how many people don't take this into account: The Hand to Mouth satisfaction. It's big. Much bigger than many give it the credit! I am nearly nicotine free..and plan to be within this next six months. BUT...I will continue vaping! Because it gives me pleasure. Because of the hand to mouth satisfaction/habit. I can break the nicotine habit...and nearly have (went from 24-18mg to 4mg. in about a year after 43 years HEAVY smoking!) But I know I can NOT break the hand to mouth thing. People really need to realize that is part of the package!

As for if vaping is "safe". Well...is anything, really? It's certainly "safer" than smoking. But that isn't your issue, is it. There is no hard evidence that it's "safe" but there's also no hard evidence that is NOT "safe". So it's probably about as risky as say...drinking city provided water from the tap, or breathing air in the city, or drinking milk, or eating beef or spinach or ice cream, or eggs. See what I mean? How safe is ANYTHING in this modern world, anyway? Think of all the additives you are consuming in that "healthy" granola bar in the morning! lol!!!
 

DrApex

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Safety is an illusion. There are no long term studies on inhaling PV and VG in the quantities we inhale. PV is used in some inhaler medications so that part has been tested, but from what I know of inhaled medications, the intake quantities are much much smaller than the quantities I vape on a daily basis.

When you hear someone tout vaping as safe, they are claiming safety in comparison to tobacco smoke. I'm fully convinced vaping is much safer than tobacco smoke. That said, it is still ingesting unproven and unregulated chemicals into your system.

I'm not sure what chemicals are in the ingredients used to flavor my juices. I'm also not 100% sure some of the coughing and respiratory issues I have right now are totally from the cold I had a month ago.

As stated by many, vaping is not really a wise thing to take on, if you aren't a smoker. However, if you are an adult and are willing to educate yourself and handle yourself, you can do so with seemingly much less risk and damage than you would get if you picked up tobacco smoking.
 

fourthrok

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If you think about it...every single ingredient in the e-juice from a REPUTABLE maker has been FDA approved. This is not taking into account the "mom and pop" places where you don't really know what they are using and what conditions the juice is made under. The only things in e-juice that are supposed to be there (but may not be, depending on the recipe) is pharmaceutical proplylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin, nicotine, food grade flavor concentrates, possibly water and/or pure grain alcohol. That's it. Taken separately each one HAS been approved by the FDA. And the act of heating/vaporizing these substances reduces the potency significantly. Just sayin'.

If you are REALLY concerned what you are inhaling when you vape...learn to DIY. That way you can control everything that goes into your juice and be assured there are no unwanted additives or foreign matter!
 

Ayha

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Dec 26, 2012
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England
I think most of you will be pleased to know I'm probably not going to get one for a while at least, maybe not ever. I'm going to try and use other techniques to calm down (such as deep breathing) and if after about a year or so I still really feel like starting then I will. I figure one to two years will let me know if I'm really considering it or if it's just one of those passing things for me. Also by that time I may have found a much better alternative to keep down on stress.
Thanks for the responses guys, I'm very grateful.
 
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