Mouth, lungs or both?

[Fast and Furious]

This is day two. My first ten inhales wherever they went made me feel similar to those of a cigarette. I don't know if it was nicotine or excitement. I don't even care at this point. If this continues I'll not change a thing even if I I am doing it wrong. I always overanalyze and get in trouble.

Tom

 

[Bunnykiller]

Ive tried pretty much all the methods and I cant tell any difference.... it all feels the same in the end.

 

[GlowingSnowman]

It's good if it feels like cigarettes. Keeps you off those things
Sooner or later, you'll find yourself away from analogs!!

 

[30+Years]

I just do what feels natural. Works for me.

 

[Katya]

Thanks the the link Katya.
That was the thread I read which caused me to submit my post in the first place! Differing views on how/where the nicotine is absorbed. Even Rolygates response, although very helpful, is slightly contradictory in my opinion.

Here's Roly's latest post on the subject. We all learn as we go. vaping is a new phenomenon and our knowledge about it evolves with time and research.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ion-vapour-ingredient-myths.html#post12186988

That said, I agree with the posters who suggest that you do what feels right. The first battle is to convince your brain that vaping is just as good (if not better) as smoking. Everything else is secondary.

Good luck!

 

[AndriaD]

No direct links, but everything that I have read says the nicotine in vapor is absorbed in the mouth, throat, and nasal passageways. The molecules which make up vapor is larger than smoke molecules. These are too large to pass into the tiny alveoli in the lungs where absorbtion takes place.

Therefore, I advise new vapers to imagine sucking on a straw in a thick milkshake; use your cheek muscles to get a mouthful of vapor. A long, slow, gentle draw 4 - 6 seconds in length. Hold it a second, and then inhale into the lungs for the "cigarette experience".

Exhale some of the vapor through your nose. Your sense of smell assists your sense of taste. With some flavors you may experience one flavor with the inhale, and another with the exhale.

This is one reason why I thought the e-cig was right for me -- that's exactly how I smoke real cigarettes, due to a mild case of asthma that won't permit me to inhale smoke too deeply without "cough up a lung" results... It seems to me that my shallow inhales move the smoke more up the back of my throat, than down into my lungs; sure, some of it does get down there, because of the small molecule size, but I don't think getting accustomed to vaping is presenting me with anything that I don't already do. it's wonderful to hear that the vapor molecules won't pass into the alveoli, since I have bronchial asthma.

Andria

 

[djsvapour]

(not read the whole thread)

I inhale into my mouth as much as possible and try to keep sucking it down into the lungs to a minimum.

I would imagine that most of my useable nicotine has got into my system via mouth and throat.

Ideally, I'd like to develop a pure "pipe/cigar" style, but it's not going well.

 

[Mr.Mann]

Thanks for your reply .

As far as I'm aware, the vapour consists of a number of molecules (e.g PG, Nicotene, Flavouring) . . . these don't combine into one large molecule and so that means the nicotine is a 'free' molecule and therefore free to be absorbed by any hydrated cell wall. The PG and flavour molecules are much larger molecules and can't be absorbed through cell walls.

So, this still leads me to the conclusion that, not only will the nicotine be absorbed through the cheek cells but, if inhaled, it will also be absorbed by the alveoli in the lungs . . . . . which leads me to question; why do some people say you have to draw and hold in the mouth because that's where the nicotine gets absorbed from e-cigs? when to me, it seems it should be no different from smoking traditional ciggies (where people tend not to hold the smoke in the mouth) and the majority of the nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the lungs.

I just don't get where this (mis)information is coming from (unless someone can point me towards some science-based info).

The reason I ask these questions and seek clarification is primarily related to the phrase often used; 'how to vape' (when I can't see that it should be any different from smoking a ciggie to get the nicotine).

If nicotine gets absorbed through the mucus membranes, then inhaling into the lungs will still work as, of course, you can't get it into the lungs without going into the mouth first. But, I must say that any time I have taken a little break from vaping and tried various "techniques," I have NEVER gotten a rush from a simple mouth puff (and I vape as high as 32 mg). Let me take off half a day of vaping and try a mouth-to-lung and out-through-mouth-and-nose exhale and the rush is on. Also, like baditude alluded to, the flavor IMO is much better with the full inhale. I think there are a few reasons that is so, but I am no scientist, just a vaper.

People can vape how they want, but I just about wince when I see some one definitively say "vaping nicotine is only absorbed through the mouth."

 

[TobysMom]

...find, too, it depends on what I'm vaping and what kind of "experience" I crave - sometimes chewing on the vape is what I want most - other times it is a combo to get the mouth feel and the taste....just happy doing it!!

 

[WVstuckinNC]

Interesting post. I have been vaping for almost a year, and I always sucked down my lungs, like I did smokes. Then I read all the Newbie posts about how to inhale. I have been trying both methods. I don't think I notice much difference in nicotine absorption, but I did notice I tasted the e liquid more if I inhaled as if inhaling a cigar - so now I kinda do it both ways - every now and then the deep lung inhale for the "hit", and then the mouth inhale for the flavor. I do admit I like mixing it up this way.

 

[ccubed]

Like some others here, I use long, slow mouth draws...then hold for a bit and then inhale. Thanks to ECF and the web, I did research prior to vaping (and continue to read because I want to be informed). What was said about much of the nic being absorbed through the membranes in the mouth and nose made sense.

That being said, what made more sense to me was my experience. No matter what the studies said, if I was craving nic (or thought I was), I needed to make adjustments. If I wasn't craving a cigarette, everything was fine, whether or not I was getting the equivalent amount of nic into my system. I value scientific studies, but I also place value on my own experience. The vaping technique discussed here when I was just beginning to learn to vape was truly helpful. The proof of its value is in my remaining analog free.

We all have different ways of finding our own truths. Scientific research is valuable and has its place in order to find "evidence based practices". But let's not forget that part of what makes ECF so valuable to folks like me is the sharing of our personal experiences.

Thanks to everyone here, especially the ones who have contributed to this thread. Your experience and wisdom is truly valued.

Keep the vape and namaste.

 

[Stosh]

When I smoked a cigarette, I took the smoke into my mouth, then inhaled it into my lungs, exhale.
When I smoked a pipe, I took the smoke into my mouth, then inhaled it into my lungs, exhale.
When I smoked a cigar, I took the smoke into my mouth, then inhaled it into my lungs, exhale.

Don't believe after 40+ years that's going to change much vaping, however the nic is absorbed.
Whatever feels natural to you is the best way to go....

 

[jhiggins04901]

No matter what study is read i am glad to not be putting thousands of harmful chemicals in my body. Instead i will enjoy a very tasty few. There is a flavor for everyone and for some a few. Just mixed some snickerdoodle for the fiancé and added quarter tank of butterscotch and i thought she was gojng to leave me for her vaporizer. True story vape on my friends vape on. I enjoy taking it to the lungs every other hit keeps the taste buds going.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Obviously not everyone finds the mouth absorbtion to be the most effective route, however, there are enough people online who report a difference that I think it is always worth mentioning to a new vaper. Say someone is trying to get off analogs, and a simple switch in inhalation method could be the difference between switching successfully to e cigs. Not everyone is really into experimenting when it comes to trying vaping. Some people expect to pick up that e cig, and if it is not just like an analog, into the garbage it goes. I am a nurse that works in home care, and you might be surprised at the number of current smokers that have tried e cigs and could not stand them... many still have the starter kits in their homes. The major difference I notice between those that have success with vaping eventually replacing analogs, is a willingness to experiment to find what works. The inhalation method is a very easy thing to try out, as far as seeing if it improves the vaping experience, so I am really glad that the idea is shared on here, even if it is not a hard and fast rule. Frankly, everyone absorbs and responds to all drugs in varying ways to some degree, why would vaping nicotine be any different?

 

[AndriaD]

The major difference I notice between those that have success with vaping eventually replacing analogs, is a willingness to experiment to find what works.

That is so encouraging, and I'm really glad to hear it; I came here precisely because the drugstore disposables all taste like crap, so I knew if I wanted to do this, I needed more info -- and this place sure provides that!!!! And, I'm being forced into experimenting, to find a flavor I like, because the first few I've tried didn't really do it for me. I'm still trying a few tobaccos, but given the few I've tasted already, I've had to open my mind to the possibility that it might not be a tobacco flavor that really suits me, for vaping. So I keep trying -- this is the most sensible, useful, and painless way I've ever seen to give up smoking, so I'm determined to stick with it until I DO find flavors that suit me. There must surely be *some*!

Andria

 

[magnussmitt]

I don't really care, I just like it!

 

[MonicaRae]

I'm not new by any means but just reading this I was actually wondering what this mouth inhale was?? So I just took a vape held it in my mouth did not inhale into my lungs and exhaled thru my nose and almost choked! The flavor was SOOO intense LOL!

Holy cow! Well there's something I've never tried in a year in vaping...always in thru the mouth to the lungs then out thru the mouth.. Never thought there was any other way.

My my the things you learn on this forum. Not sure if I'll do that again, well maybe with those flavors I have hanging around that are so weak I can't really taste em!!

 

[BurningMikeHandy]

All of the above.

 

[Jeffclem]

I go Back and forth. Depends on my mood and what I'm vaping on.

 

[peraspera]

If nicotine gets absorbed through the mucus membranes, then inhaling into the lungs will still work as, of course, you can't get it into the lungs without going into the mouth first. But, I must say that any time I have taken a little break from vaping and tried various "techniques," I have NEVER gotten a rush from a simple mouth puff (and I vape as high as 32 mg). Let me take off half a day of vaping and try a mouth-to-lung and out-through-mouth-and-nose exhale and the rush is on. Also, like baditude alluded to, the flavor IMO is much better with the full inhale. I think there are a few reasons that is so, but I am no scientist, just a vaper.

People can vape how they want, but I just about wince when I see some one definitively say "vaping nicotine is only absorbed through the mouth."

Dr. Farsalinos' recent study (Dr. F discussed the study starting at 23:59 in this audio, VapeTeam Live replay - 2/26/2014 - Dark Day in Europe ) shows how slow nicotine absorption is from vaping which would argue against the idea of getting something described as a rush from vaping. It takes 35 minutes of vaping 15 mg. juice in an Evod at 9 watts to reach the same level of nicotine saturation from smoking a cigarette for 5 minutes. I think this study and the nicotine particle size study would argue in favor of an explanation aside from nicotine as being responsible for anything one might describe as a rush one might get from vaping.

The body releases happy brain chemicals such as endorphins and dopamine in response to pain. These chemicals would be delivered quickly enough to the body to be described as a rush. I've guessed, perhaps wrongly, that this is why throat hit (irritation, pain) can be so important to many vapers. I've also wondered if this plays a role in the pleasure some people find in sub oHm vaping.

As an example, just last night I watched a very experienced vaper turning beet red and coughing up a lung from from blowing huge sub oHm clouds on VapeTV. Did that slow him down one iota. No siree Bob. That man seemingly couldn't wait to do more of the same so it seems reasonable to assume that the body was offering up some sort of reward for the discomfort.