Liquid vape juice is the liquid used in e-cigarettes and other vaping devices that heat it to create an aerosol that users inhale. The liquid contains flavorings and a substance called nicotine. It also can contain other ingredients that may pose a health risk.
E-liquids have a wide range of flavors, including desserts, fruits, tobacco and even menthol. The main ingredients are vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, which serve as diluents for the flavorings. The diluents are then mixed with the nicotine and other ingredients, creating a liquid that’s used in vaping devices to produce vapor that can be inhaled.
Liquid Vape Juice: Understanding the Basics
The liquids are also available in varying strength, which determines how much nicotine is inhaled during use. For example, light smokers typically stick with around 10mg of nicotine a day, but heavier ones may need a higher strength of around 18 or even 24mg per milliliter of e-liquid to satiate their cravings. Nicotine is sourced from either natural or synthetic sources. It can be extracted from tobacco leaves by a process known as decarboxylation, and is also produced in laboratories.
There’s no such thing as organic vape juice because propylene glycol and most flavorings are manufactured in a lab, but some retailers offer blends that have 0% nicotine and contain only VG and natural essences and oils (such as those found in fruit juices). However, DIY e-liquids made at home, often by users without any formal vaping training, can introduce unknown substances and trace metals into the lungs when heated up.