Propylene glycol in e-cigarettes might keep us healthy

[jcoopercam]

Propylene glycol in e cigarettes might keep us healthy, says researchers

Also...
"Simply put: animal studies show no substantial risk from inhaling PG, even in high concentrations. There may be irritation and other minor effects, but overall it isn’t very harmful to mammals or other primates."

Propylene Glycol in E-Cigarettes – Is PG Dangerous to Inhale?

 

[GOMuniEsq]

PG is also the biocide used to prevent algae from growing in computer watercooling loops. Probably explains why I haven't had any respiratory infections since I started vaping. *knock on wood*

 

[ScottP]

I have heard that it is also used in hospital A/C units.

 

[Coyote628]

Well. I have a cold and it has decreased my enjoyment of vaping by 18.56%.

 

[United States]

What's it say about increased ear hair when vaping it?

 

[charlie1465]

What's it say about increased ear hair when vaping it?

Ah, the big correlation fantasy That's your age US...i'm guessing you're hmmh somewhere between 50 and 65

 

[charlie1465]

Seriously though PG certainly can't be encouraging microbes to grow anywhere it has contact so hopefully this is reducing our risk as against someone that doesn't vape or smoke

 

[stols001]

While this is nice to hear about PG, I have to say, I don't think we have discovered our magical fountain of youth quite yet...

I'm just happy to see anything vaguely related to ecigs have a positive spin though...

Anna

 

[TylerA]

The discovery of the lung microbiota was delayed by the long-held view that the lungs of healthy individuals were sterile and by sampling difficulties. The lung microbiota has a low density, and the maintenance of small numbers of bacteria seems to be a critical determinant of good health.

Paradigms of Lung Microbiota Functions in Health and Disease, Particularly, in Asthma

We should probably be careful about what we label as healthy, rather than a reduction in harm. It just gives ammunition to people who want to see vaping gone entirely.

If PG affects naturally occurring bacteria that serve an important function in the lungs, it probably wouldn't be considered healthy.

 

[ScottP]

Paradigms of Lung Microbiota Functions in Health and Disease, Particularly, in Asthma

We should probably be careful about what we label as healthy, rather than a reduction in harm. It just gives ammunition to people who want to see vaping gone entirely.

If PG affects naturally occurring bacteria that serve an important function in the lungs, it probably wouldn't be considered healthy.

The air around here isn't "healthy" either.

 

[TylerA]

The air around here isn't "healthy" either.

I'm not saying that it is - all I'm saying is that we should be careful what we label as healthy.

Is vaping healthier than just breathing air? Probably not.

Is vaping healthier than smoking cigs? Definitely.

 

[Baditude]

New Study: Electronic Cigarettes Vapor Has NO Toxic Effect

 

[TylerA]

New Study: Electronic Cigarettes Vapor Has NO Toxic Effect

While good news, the article said they only tested airway tissue. The study I linked was related to the microbiota of the lungs (bacteria, fungi, viruses) which seems to be affected by PG according to the article in the original post.

 

[Baditude]

While good news, the article said they only tested airway tissue. The study I linked was related to the microbiota of the lungs (bacteria, fungi, viruses) which seems to be affected by PG according to the article in the original post.

I understand. I've always been aware of the benefitual bacteria that is present in our gut, but your article of useful microbiota in the lungs was a new one for me. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ScottP]

I'm not saying that it is - all I'm saying is that we should be careful what we label as healthy.

Is vaping healthier than just breathing air? Probably not.

Is vaping healthier than smoking cigs? Definitely.

I am not saying we should necessarily call it "healthy" but studies are starting to show potential benefits beyond harm reduction. Including the OP's linked article that seems to indicate it can reduce risk for certain respiratory infections, as well as recent studies that seem to indicate that nicotine can reduce risk for Alzheimer's and other age related dementias.

EDIT: I forgot to add, the risk for Parkinson's seems to be lowered by nicotine as well. Also some studies show nicotine can help with Multiple Sclerosis too.

 

[ScottP]

Just as an FYI and for the sake of completeness, here are 3 articles about 3 different studies that add to the claims about Alzheimer's and Parkinson's:

Texas A&M:
Could Nicotine Help Prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease?

Georgetown University Medical Center:
Nicotine May Slow Progression to Alzheimer's Disease

Vanderbilt University's Center for Cognitive Medicine:
Study finds nicotine safe, helps in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

So this isn't just one study. There are actually quite a few, even more than these. Of course we haven't moved into full fledged human trials to get nicotine approved for use for this purpose yet, still the findings are becoming significant.

Here are some articles about MS:
MS Society-funded study shows that nicotine reduces the invasion of harmful immune cells into the brain in mice with an MS-like disease — MS Society of Canada

Novel Therapeutic Approach by Nicotine in Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Could Nicotine Be Used to Treat MS Someday? - Alternative Treatment - Multiple Sclerosis | HealthCentral

 

[stols001]

I have Alzheimer's in my family (one side only so here is hoping.) Because while the start of incipient COPD WAS enough to get me to start vaping, I really don't want to die with the big A either.

And the problem seems to be that while one may plan to suicide at some point during the illness, (I sure would) there comes a time when one is too addled to carry that plan OUT. I did ask the husband to do it, but like, he refused.

I could ask the kid, he's kind of progressive. Although I think I will not burden him with that task quite yet I am 43.

Meds for aging are funny. Like there is this one, Riluzole that is only approved to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and it's an "orphan" drug so drug companies can charge a million dollars for it. It acts just like Lamictal (which gives me SJS, so I can't take it I wound up in the burn unit.) They have done trials and it WORKS but the last thing the drug company wanted was to lose it's "orphan drug" status, they were some of the like, only studies I have seen where researchers had to PURCHASE it from the drug company.

I know the boomers are coming and all, but that is such a RARE illness, and survival is increased by like 3 MONTHS. Yet, not, it is not and will never be approved by the drug companies for depression.

I even tried to import it as a "research chemical" and it was way too much. Hence, no teeth-- and lithium.

No, I'm not BITTER or anything. LOL. This is why I need to be the Cleopatra of the FDA! I would send in my team of asps beforehand and anyone smart and pragmatic enough to live would start dismantling ALL this crud.

15 years into Lithium, well I could probably get Ketamine treatment if my kidneys ever give out, but meh, well, it's not that robust over time.

Sorry for the digression, but I just find it all strange-- what works, what doesn't what claims are being made. I would have given my Only Child for Riluzole (or at least loaned him for a bit) but like, NO.

I should sic my current work pharmacy on it they seem to be able to obtain my most expensive drug for 0 dollars a month, and my "cheaper" drugs for like a buck a month. All I did was give them an email address. If anyone can get it done it's them! LOL. Probably best to stick with what I know and its annoyances...

Anna

 

[NealBJr]

Seriously though PG certainly can't be encouraging microbes to grow anywhere it has contact so hopefully this is reducing our risk as against someone that doesn't vape or smoke

I've made this statement a long time ago. I've noticed I now rarely get any cold or flu since I started vaping. I thought it was just a side effect, and I've always suspected it was related to PG being a mild antiseptic.

Not to mention I breath easier since I've stopped smoking, and no more phlem, and a plethora of other positive effects of vaping.

The only "negative" aspects are... 1) I now have two Lithium Ion devices on me at all times (one being the phone, the other the Ecig) and 2) I still use nicotine... albeit at a much lower dose. And to be honest, it's not really that much of a negative, since nicotine does not really do much harm in and of itself... besides it acting like a mild dose of caffeine.

 

[Baditude]

I've always suspected it was related to PG being a mild Antibiotic.

Antiseptic would be a better word to use in this instance. I'm being picky being I was in the medical profession. Antibiotics are medicine requiring a doctors prescription.

an·ti·bi·ot·ic -noun. A medicine (such as penicillin or its derivatives) that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.

an·ti·sep·tic --adjective. Relating to or denoting substances that help prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. synonyms: disinfectant, germicidal, bactericidal.

 

[brad-man]

Well, I'm a believer and I'm gonna take full advantage of this. So here's my new mod:



It almost has as many o-rings as a Kayfun...