Hi Emerald,
I was scared 14 months ago to start vaping as well. My friend sent me a website full of wicks, wires and gadgets I had never seen before -- it was intimidating and raised my skepticism. I want to provide a view of my observations of the course of a year of vaping
every day.
Vaping hands down requires a large amount of research, and if it is something you end up sticking with, a very DIY attitude. This is both good and bad, as it is fun, empowering and hobbyist yet can be overwhelming, confusing and complicated (and expensive depending on where you start).
Anyone who tells you that "the truth is vaping is safe" has no room to say that. This booming industry is extremely nascent and no "longitudinal" studies or health effects can be obtained at the hyper rate the industry is moving. We are all guinea pigs, but consider this - have you ever eaten a GMO crop or product? Do you have the same issues with lack of research and potential health risks with regards to foods and FDA approved drugs that available or prescribed?
Here's my take on it. Yes, the health effects of vaping are shrouded in uncertainty (and
exaggerated media reports), but there are currently some seemingly unbiased and objective studies in the works -- I would start
here if you are interested.
The only certainty that I can tell you about the health effects is purely anecdotal. My body and mind have transformed into what feels like essentially a
non-smoker. All of my friends and vapers that I've met have had essentially the same results - better cardio vascular functioning, lack of ....ty old phonebook smell, reawakened sense of smell and taste, increased lung capacity, and a seemingly reduced risk of various heart diseases (and no carbon monoxide sitting in your lungs). I guess another benefit that I have felt is no caughing, gnarly phlegm, or crypt-like hacking -- my lungs absolutely feel "cleaner". I can run up flights of stairs, and regain my resting heart rate much faster than when I was on the fire sticks. I won't really get into the whole "additive" argument here (additives in cigs), and their addictive properties, but it is something to consider as well.
Now as far as potential dangers, there are many angles to approach this from. On the one hand, you have the actual equipment, which can vary from a small 3.7v stick battery (with possible circuit protection), to unregulated 4.2v + systems (mechanical mods) to high wattage regulated devices (150W+). Either way, battery safety is paramount to everything else - even the safest battery chemistry (arguably IMR; the type of cathode used) can be dangerous if not used properly. I only mention this because in my conversations with the vapers that I've met, there is a resounding agreement that cigalikes (i.e. blu, tsunami etc) are not effective in fully quiting smoking -- the progression to more powerful devices (bigger batteries, rebuildable atomizers (rba)) is natural and usually necessary to sustain a 'satisfying vape'.
Now the other side of it is the liquid. You can research the two main carriers or substrates in E-juice all you want - Proplene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin and obtain varying reports on their 'inertness' when inhaled. I myself and really not concerned so much over these, although there is currently a temperature study being conducted to assertain aldehyde levels when these compounds are vaporized at
higher temperatures (i.e. mimicking modern vaping devices and trends).
What I am more concerned about is the components in the flavoring. As someone who mixes their own Ejuice at home, it was rather eye-opening to research the component lists of some of the flavor companies that produce the concentrated flavoring that comprises eliquid (e.g.
The Perfumers Apprentice). No I myself use almost exclusively flavorings from this company, but when you begin to examine what makes up even a single flavor, the question of safety surfaces rather quickly (e.g. what happens to hexyl acetate when vaporized at 450 degrees?)
Now, I have been vaping these flavorings even before I knew I was (from various vendors that I used to purchase juice from, and later found out they used the same flavor/company). I can assure you, that the only adverse effect that I have had from vaping is literally 2 of the worst headaches of my life in the last 14 months, and this was due to dehydration (VG is hydroscopic, and vaping sucks moisture out of you in general). Other than that, the only problem is that it can be really time consuming if you DON'T enjoy it, and you might be willing to open your wallet a little to easily for a better fix of nic.
Overall -- do it if you are interested and commited in quiting SMOKING, not NICOTINE. If you don't want to be a guinea pig in general, I would adivse you to examine many other aspects of our culture (sorry if I'm presuming you're an american) and consider alternatives for countless other products on the market that don't have proper testing or clinical trials before releasing to the public. I can say for sure that I LOVE vaping, and it has transformed so many aspects of my life. Smoking requires a high level of willful ignorance to habitually continue, but I have found for myself and many others that I've met that vaping encourages people to look for the safest possible methods, devices and consumables in order to promote a healthier lifestyle and an overall fostering of
harm reduction.
Only time will tell, but I like this community a lot - more maudes than harolds.
