Plain And Simple - What are the Benefits And Negatives Of High PG Or High VG?

[Nathan Ahmad]

so seen plenty of different stuff regarding this but can someone just nice and simply explain what are advantages with High PG or High VG, I would also like to know which would be better to use for a shesha pen for someone that is trying to quit smoking?

 

[IMFire3605]

High VG liquids there are several advantages
1) Higher the VG, more vapor production, aka more cloudiness
2) VG most times is sweet, so can sweeten some liquids
3) High the VG, lower the throat hit from the nicotine and PG flavoring ingredients

High VG disadvantages
1) VG is thick and viscuous, almost like a syrup, this can lead to wicking issues, thicker the liquid, slower it will wick, smaller the wicking holes, harder it is for the liquid to wick into the coils
2) People with breathing problems, asthma, COPD, etc VG can sometimes lead to the feeling of heaviness in the lungs, this could cause people with breathing problems to think that are not breathing right, also because VG mutes flavor a tad, more flavorings per volume is needed to match the flavor of a high PG liquid, these flavorings can lead to tissue irritation
3) VG mutes flavor, like stated above

High PG liquids advantages
1) PG transports flavor, very very well, so needs less flavorings that are already suspended in PG dilutions to begin with
2) PG is used in a great many things we consume in daily life, toothpaste, food flavorings, food colorings, the list is long, PG is also used in many asthma and other breathing treatments like albuterol and a host of others, it is most times a very inert reacting substance to us, though to much exposure can lead to irritation issues, and has some other medical properties like hospitals can use it in ventilation systems to decrease bacteria and viruses do to being a de-humicant (sucks out moisture of things).
3) PG being thinner wicks better than higher VG liquids
4) PG has a higher throat hit, High PG liquid with a high Nic liquid and a strong menthol can simulate pretty much the TH you get from a Newport w/o filter.

High PG disadvantages
1) Higher Throat Hit
2) Being thinner, during summer months the heat can lead to leaking issues, where high VG liquids during cold winter regions can have trouble wicking well during those seasons
3) More people are prone be sensitive to very high PG ratios compared to very high VG ratios

For coming from shesha, you'll be wanting a little more flavor, but a decent clouding ability, so a 50/50 to 40PG/60VG ratio would be right in your arena to start, wanting more cloud and less throat hit, a 30PG/70VG would work real well, JMHO though.

 

[Hobbs]

Hello and welcome. Simplest explanation I think ... PG is the flavor carrier and VG is the cloud producer. VG is thicker than PG and does not wick as well or as easily as PG. Some people are said to be allergic to PG, though that is a rare exception.

As far as best for a shesha pen ... someone else will have to answer that. I can tell you that I've always used 50/50 PG/VG and never had a problem with any device. I'm a former smoker and "tootle" vape non-flavored at low wattage (prolly what you do with a shesha pen for example). I'm in it for the nicotine. Others with an interest in "clouds" might recommend a higher VG. My devices do however put out much more vapor than a shesha pen so theres that maybe. If it works for my devices, SHOULD work just fine for a shesha pen, but that is just an opinion.

Edit: IMFire has a MUCH better response as I was typing this post. Bottom line is we both recommend just about the same PG/VG ratio. I will add that as a former smoker (marlboro reds) and vaping at (a cool) low wattage in the 12-18mg/ml nic range ... 50/50 PG/VG has never had too strong a throat hit ... for me.

 

[Nathan Ahmad]

High VG liquids there are several advantages
1) Higher the VG, more vapor production, aka more cloudiness
2) VG most times is sweet, so can sweeten some liquids
3) High the VG, lower the throat hit from the nicotine and PG flavoring ingredients

High VG disadvantages
1) VG is thick and viscuous, almost like a syrup, this can lead to wicking issues, thicker the liquid, slower it will wick, smaller the wicking holes, harder it is for the liquid to wick into the coils
2) People with breathing problems, asthma, COPD, etc VG can sometimes lead to the feeling of heaviness in the lungs, this could cause people with breathing problems to think that are not breathing right, also because VG mutes flavor a tad, more flavorings per volume is needed to match the flavor of a high PG liquid, these flavorings can lead to tissue irritation
3) VG mutes flavor, like stated above

High PG liquids advantages
1) PG transports flavor, very very well, so needs less flavorings that are already suspended in PG dilutions to begin with
2) PG is used in a great many things we consume in daily life, toothpaste, food flavorings, food colorings, the list is long, PG is also used in many asthma and other breathing treatments like albuterol and a host of others, it is most times a very inert reacting substance to us, though to much exposure can lead to irritation issues, and has some other medical properties like hospitals can use it in ventilation systems to decrease bacteria and viruses do to being a de-humicant (sucks out moisture of things).
3) PG being thinner wicks better than higher VG liquids
4) PG has a higher throat hit, High PG liquid with a high Nic liquid and a strong menthol can simulate pretty much the TH you get from a Newport w/o filter.

High PG disadvantages
1) Higher Throat Hit
2) Being thinner, during summer months the heat can lead to leaking issues, where high VG liquids during cold winter regions can have trouble wicking well during those seasons
3) More people are prone be sensitive to very high PG ratios compared to very high VG ratios

For coming from shesha, you'll be wanting a little more flavor, but a decent clouding ability, so a 50/50 to 40PG/60VG ratio would be right in your arena to start, wanting more cloud and less throat hit, a 30PG/70VG would work real well, JMHO though.

Thanks a lot mate, very helpful!

 

[mcclintock]

The way I see it, people are now vaping about the same amount of PG as the old days, but more VG in their high-output devices. The PG is much lower in the ratio but multiply that by more juice. Generally a low output device will work better with 50/50 or higher PG and the bitterness of the PG won't be an issue and flavoring strength needs be higher. I can't handle high VG which is one influence keeping me at lower power; I don't know if it's the ratio or just the total VG per day (it doesn't seem like adding PG would increase my VG capacity).

 

[suprtrkr]

Hi and welcome. @IMFire3605 has set you straight regarding what happens when you change the ratio. Personally, I don't think of it as advantages vs. disadvantages; both components serve different functions and are instead complimentary rather than competitors. It's more about personal preferences than anything else. One thing I haven't seen mentioned-- I just skimmed the thread, maybe it's there-- is some people are allergic to one or the other. No scientific data, but I believe a PG allergy is slightly more common, just from reading the threads here. I am glad I don't. I get the "lung heavies" from too much VG and hack and cough half the night when I lay down. And too much PG makes my throat hurt just thinking about it.

Welcome to the board.

 

[stols001]

For the most part, it is about finding the right ratios. I am PG sensitive and that limits me to VG only and I'm a MTL vaper, so I've had to find ways to make that work, but for the most part, I make it work. I don't get any throat hit, but that was never really an issue for me. Mainly, it's how to handle very thick liquid without wicking issues, etc. Unless you are allergic to one or the other, most people do use both and just find a ratio they are happy with. You won't really know what you like best until you start experimenting.

Good luck and happy vaping!

Anna

 

[BrotherBob]

If you are sensitive/allergic to various dosages of PG, symptoms may manifest themselves as re occurring sore throat/painful throat hit (TH) among others.
re: http://ecigarettereviewed.com/allergies-conditions-and-e-liquid
Ecig VG health question

which would be better to use for a shesha pen for someone that is trying to quit smoking

I would guess that anyway you can stop smoking may be easier than quitting without any cessation aids. Only you can make that decision.