How To Prevent Common Side Effects Of Vaping

Although research has shown vaping to be far safer and healthier than smoking, there are still a few vape side effects that you need to know about. Some, all, or none of these side effects may or may not be experienced when you use an e-cigarette or vaporiser; it depends entirely on both 1) the individual in question and 2) the e-liquid being used and its ingredients.

Medical Disclaimer: The content of this webpage is provided "as is" and for general information only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs.

Due to the many variables in both vaping devices and e-liquids, and, of course, how often an individual vapes, it is not possible to create a definitive list, nor is it possible to point the finger at vaping being the direct cause. As a result, vape side effects are purely situational.

Common Vape Side Effects

These are some of the more common vape side effects and how you can avoid them.

1. Sore Throat

By far, the most common vape side effect is a sore throat. Often, this is caused by using an e-liquid that has too high a concentration of PG and your body cannot tolerate it. It can also be connected to the flavourings used (e.g. you may be sensitive to certain ingredients or additives) or even the device's coil if it is nickel-based.

The best way to solve a sore throat after vaping is to tackle each problem in turn. First, try an e-liquid that has a higher concentration of VG over PG. If that doesn't work, look at the e-liquid's ingredients and eliminate each one until the problem stops. If that doesn't work, try switching your device.

2. Dry Mouth

Unsurprisingly, the second most common side effect also relates to the oral cavity. Dry mouth when vaping is caused by e-liquid base ingredients PG and VG. Although higher concentrations of PG are known to be a bigger cause of dry mouth, VG can also cause it. This is because PG and VG are both hygroscopic and absorb water.

If you experience dry mouth when vaping, keep yourself hydrated with water or use oral rehydration solutions that you can rinse your mouth out with. If you have a persistent dry mouth, it may be worth speaking to a medical professional---more often than not, vape-related dry mouth is mild and goes away in time.

3. Constant Coughing Whilst Vaping

Most of the time, complaints that relate to coughing come from newbie vapers, even those who have a significant history with smoking cigarettes. More often than not, coughing whilst vaping is caused by an incorrect vaping technique---either an e-liquid with too much nicotine is being used (irritating the lungs) or trying to take a cig-like draw on a vaping device that has a high airflow.

If you are finding yourself constantly coughing when taking a drag from your vape, check to make sure that your device's airflow isn't too high:

• If the airflow is tight, your device is a mouth-to-lung device designed for e-liquids with higher nicotine concentrations. The vapour first goes into your mouth before being sucked into the lungs.
• If the airflow is easy (like sucking through a straw) then your vape device is a direct-to-lung one; the vapour doesn't pass through the mouth first and instead goes straight to the lungs.

In direct-to-lung devices, it is recommended to only use e-liquids with low nicotine concentrations, generally below 6mg/mL. Take a look at our MTL vs DTL vape guide to learn more about mouth-to-lung and direct-to-lung vaping devices.

4. Headaches, Dizziness, and/or Headrush

Headaches are common in people who have recently quit smoking. This is because nicotine alone does not contain enough alkaloids---a compound that has a physiological effect on long-term smokers---when compared to the amount found in cigarettes where tobacco and other ingredients are present. Dizziness and headrush are common in first-time vapers, and these are caused by the nicotine.

Headaches, dizziness, and headrush are all symptoms that will go away with long-term vaping. There is very little you can do to ward them off other than by drinking plenty of water. If you have noticed dry mouth alongside your headaches, this is a tell-tale sign that you simply need to be getting more fluids down you.

5. Nausea and Sickness

If you are feeling nauseous or sick after a vaping session, whether heavy or light, this could also be down to nicotine, too. Nausea and sickness are common symptoms in popular over the counter anti-smoking remedies including nicotine gums, patches, and sprays. Feelings of sickness can also be caused by an e-liquid if you are sensitive to some of the ingredients.

If you find that you are always feeling sick after vaping, it is likely down to the nicotine. If you find that you are feeling sick only after using a certain e-liquid, it is likely down to one of the ingredients.

For nicotine-related nausea, the symptoms will go away over time. For ingredient-related nausea, the only real solution is to use an e-liquid that does not cause you to feel sick. Finding out which ingredients are causing your nausea is often a case of trial and error.

6. A Feeling of Tiredness or Fatigue

Nicotine works in two ways---it can be incredibly stimulating, and it can also be incredibly draining. Depending on the individual, nicotine can work in one or both ways, either mildly or to an extreme. Nicotine tiredness and fatigue works a lot like a caffeine crash.

If you find that vaping makes you sleepy, try playing around with your nicotine strength to find the right one for your body, or eliminate it from your vaping altogether if you do not think that you need it. Tiredness and fatigue with vaping is something often experienced by newbie vapers who have no or little history of smoking because their bodies are not used to the substance.

Unless you are trying to quit smoking via vaping, there is no reason to use an e-liquid that contains nicotine. Here at Vaper Empire, we sell e-liquids in various nicotine strengths, including nicotine-free (0mg).

Visit the Vaper Empire Store

If you think that you need to switch out some of your e-liquids or hardware for something different, check out the Vaper Empire online store. Our huge range of products means that you are guaranteed to find something that is suitable for you and will help eliminate your vaping side effects.