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Vape Pens vs Dab Rigs: Which is better for THC Oil

Marijuana in the flower plant form has been around for thousands of years. It has been used recreationally and medicinally throughout the many different cultures that exist around the world. In the past 30 years, the race for the highest THC content started and it’s only been increasing exponentially since then.

The THC percentage has been rising because of the advances and efficient cannabis growing methods that we have discovered. Some people have switched their cannabis grow lights while others have changed their soil and moved more towards indoor growing. As growing has been getting bigger, new cannabis products have been sprouting too. One of those are concentrates and waxes.

What Are Wax Concentrates?

Wax or concentrates are a concentrated form of marijuana that consists of much more potent THC. For example, marijuana in the flower form goes up to about 29% THC whereas wax can get potencies percentage levels to upwards of the high 90s. Concentrates are created through different methods and processes and they come in different forms. Some are softer and break apart easier while others are stickier and harder.

What is a DAB Pen?

A dab pen is the perfect portable device that you can use to vaporize your waxes with a simple click of a button. Although using a wax pen can be a bit more complex than using most other smoking devices, it has a very small learning curve. The way it works is actually very easy to understand. It has a battery case where it attaches to an atomizer coil encased in a chamber. Then you have a mouthpiece that goes on top of that.

To load your wax onto your coil, simply use a dabber tool. Dab some wax onto the coil. Coils are usually a flat ceramic dish or a ceramic or titanium rod tied around a steel wire. The ceramic dish or steel wire heats up to melt the wax. It melts it into vapor where you then inhale it from the mouthpiece.

Benefits

    • Portable: A dab pen has the portability aspect that the dab rig does not. Although you can take the rig out of your house, it is usually glass which makes it riskier. They can easily fall and break and they are pretty bulky. A wax vape can simply be put into your pocket and taken out without being noticed.
    • Easy to Use: Although there is a learning curve to deal with at first, you will get the hang of it very quickly. Simply just dab your dabber and put a bit of wax onto your coil. When you close your mouthpiece, press the power button and inhale the vapor.
    • Discreet: One of the best parts about owning and using a dab pen is the discreet aspect. It’s so small, you can put it in your pocket without it even being noticeable. You can even take it out and use it without anyone around you really noticing.

Disadvantages 

    • Needs to Charge: Unlike other ways to smoke, you don’t really need to charge anything. With a vaporizer, you need to make sure the batteries are charged and ready to go. Charging can take 1-3 hours and you can generally use it for a couple of days. The bigger the battery, the less discreet it is.
    • Can Malfunction: Although it doesn’t happen so often, vapes are electronic products which means they can mess up. Whether it’s a short circuit wire or you drop it and it breaks, vapes can stop working and it’s definitely not the best feeling.
    • Requires Coils: Coils are the annoying part of a vaporizer. Coils can often burn out depending on which dab pen you have. If you use them too much, you will need to buy back up coils.

What is a Dab Rig?

A dab rig is one of the more intense ways to smoke your concentrates. It’s not only intense because you need a torch but the high it produces is much stronger. A dab rig looks similar to a regular bong but it has a different stem and instead of a bowl, you put a nail or banger. Another difference between using a regular bong compared to this wax water pipe is that with a regular bong, you need to pack the bowl first then light it up. With this, you simply heat it up first with the torch then dab the dabber tool onto your nail or banger.

Benefits

    • Clean Smoking Experience: One of the aspects of vape is that you use the same coil over and over until it stops working. With a dab rig, you use a torch which heats up the nail a lot. This removes the old resin because of the heat.
    • Intense High: You cannot get an intense hit from any other way of smoking then with a wax bong. The heat mixed with the concentrate gives the best of both worlds.
    • Cool Glass Designs: Vapes have different designs but they generally come in a few different forms. Wax water pipes come in different materials like silicone and glass along with the different designs. Glass blowers like to create intricate designs like microscope rigs, dragons and much more.

Disadvantages 

    • Price: One of the things that makes people shy away from dab rigs is the price. Prices can vary with them and sometimes they get so expensive, it’s not even worth using it. If the price is too little, the material can be bad too. Bad quality usually means thin glass which can break easier.
    • Can Break: Another disadvantage to having a dab rig is simply for the fact that it can break. Silicone is a great material to help stop this but not everyone likes smoking out of silicone. Glass is the most popular and a simple waist level drop can shatter it.

Which Ones Better?

If you are thinking of getting a dab pen or a dab rig, ask yourself what’s more important? discreet and portability or an intense high and a great smoking experience. Being able to serve the reason you want it for is going to be best for you. At the end of the day, these are both devices that will get the job done well.

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Flying With Your E-cig in 2020: A complete vaping Travel Guide

It will come as no surprise to say that vaping has really taken off in the past few years. More people vape than ever, and the positive health benefits that come with switching from cigarettes to vaping are undeniable.

As a relatively recent phenomenon the laws and social netiquettes regarding vaping can be difficult to navigate, as they’re constantly changing to keep up with studies, findings and public opinion. So you can probably imagine that the real problems arise when considering flying with your vape kit. With packing chaos, 4 Am wake up calls and the mad dash to your departure gates, flying is stressful enough and could do without the added worry that you might not be able to take your e-cigarette.

Common questions include- can you take your e-cigarette in your hand luggage? Are there specific regulations and restrictions? Can you vape during your flight? Because the rules of vaping are forever changing, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to prepare, store and use your vape kit when flying.

Vaping Abroad

Before beginning the stressful process of packing, it’s first worth double checking the laws and regulations regarding e-cigarettes at your chosen holiday destination. E-cigarettes are entirely banned in a number of locations, including Belgium, Austria, Egypt, Thailand and Brazil. Many other counties also enforce restrictions, such as Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Japan. Bear this in mind when planning your trip and do a little research.

Hold or Hand Luggage?

As packing prep is key before a flight, one of the more pressing questions is whether you can carry your e-cigarette in your hand luggage or whether it has to go in the hold. Because of recent incidents whereby the batteries of e-cigs have overheated and exploded, e-cigs can pose a fire hazard. Airlines therefore now require that all battery operated or electrically powered nicotine equipment should travel with you in the cabin.

To avoid any unnecessary trouble, your mod and tank should be detached and your tank should be stored as per your other liquids and toiletries- in a clear plastic bag. Ensure that your mod is turned off to avoid accidentally pressing the button.

Travelling with E-liquids

All liquids, including e-liquids, are subject to the usual airline restrictions. Most airlines do not have specific rules and regulations regarding e-liquids, however it’s quite common that airline staff conduct security inspections on e-liquids and vape kits. So don’t panic, this is general procedure.

In order to avoid added stress, wrap your e-liquid and clearomizers in toilet paper, this should protect any glass from damage. In the eventuality that there is a breakage, the toilet paper should soak up any spillages. It may also be wise to pack your e-cig liquids in a separate, transparent bag, this will ensure that the security checks run as quickly and smoothly as possible.

When packing bottles of e-liquids, remember that the liquid is likely to expand during take-off because of increased air pressure. To prevent any accidents, fly with your bottles half full.

Stocking Up

Depending on the length of your holiday and your chosen destination, it is advisable to carry extra vaping essentials. This is because foreign vendors may not be able to guarantee products of the same safety and quality standards that you are used to.

To be safe, you should pack extra e-liquids, clearomizers, batteries and some spare replacement coils as sourcing replacement parts in different countries can often prove extremely difficult and often fruitless.

Vaping On Board

Having successfully packed and made it through security checks without a blip, the next question is can you vape on board? Unfortunately, the use of any vaping equipment during a flight is completely prohibited. Don’t believe the myths that vape smoke will not trigger cabin alarms, it most certainly can and could leave you with a hefty fine and a flight ban for life. Even advanced devices like the MyJet, which produces very little vapour, could still incur big penalties. So it’s best not to take the risk, save your vape until after touch down!

On Board Tank Leakage

Ultimately, you should always travel with a spare, empty tank. However, if you’re flying with a full tank of e-liquid, ensure that the tank is upside down when taking off. This should release pressure, avoiding any spills. Although this method is not guaranteed to work with all tanks, it works particularly well with the Kangertech.

To Wrap Up

As the rules of vaping are forever changing, it can be difficult to keep on top of what is and is not acceptable. It’s therefore always best to research the laws of the country that you’re visiting. If in doubt, contact your airline and they should be able to address any extra questions or concerns. However, if the stress of travelling with your vape kit is still too much for you, it might be worth considering carrying a disposable e-cig that you can discard before your flight.

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Coil Building 101: How to Build a Fused Clapton Coil

A recent trend in the vaping industry that many of you may already be familiar with is the “Clapton” coil. They have been blowing up recently, and if you vape using sub-ohm tanks you most likely have seen Clapton coils being advertised. What is it? Why are they so popular? What are the pros & cons of Clapton Coils? In this guide we are going explain exactly what a Clapton coil is and help you decide if its right for you.

A Clapton coil is basically two wires that are coiled together. A lower 26 gauge wire is usually used as the core, while a larger 36 gauge wire is wrapped around the outside. This allows the current from your vaping device to flow through the core wire while slowly heating up the wire that is wrapped around it. The result is more surface area for your E-liquid to be vaporized without lowering the resistance to the coil.

Why are they so Popular?

Many coil manufactures are pre-building these coils in there factories making them more accessible to the public. Before they where being mass produced, they where relatively unknown and where only being made by hand. The outer wire must be wrapped tightly around the core wire which can be a complicated task to accomplish. Many people didn’t have the knowledge or patience to effectively do it themselves. Now their are many tutorials on YouTube and Instagram showing you how to build these coils step by step. People are also realizing how much better a Clapton coil truly is.

Pros & Cons

Like I said earlier, Clapton coils main advantage is the added surface area. This larger surface area allows the heated coil to come in contact with your e-juice faster and more efficiently. The result is an increase in flavor, increased vapour production, and overall a more enjoyable vaping experience.

Their are some negative aspects to consider before using a Clapton Coil. “For every force, there is a counter force. For every negative there is a positive. For every action there is a reaction. For every cause there is an effect.” – Grace Speare

Since their is more coil being heated up, you will use more e-juice then you would with a traditional coil. Each hit from your mod is going to be more flavorful and dense because you are burning more liquid. Clapton coils also take longer to fully heat up, and once they do they get hot. So if you are not a fan of warmer vape hits this coil might not be right for you.

How to Build your own:

The easiest way to build a Clapton coil is clamp your larger wire in the middle of a drill and while it spins wrap your smaller wire around it like the video above demonstrates. Their are many different techniques to creating a Clapton coil and it all comes down to preference. It can be complicated at first, but becomes fun an easy with a little practice. It is best to start out slow and gradually increase the speed when you feel comfortable.

Clapton wire: If you do decide to build your own coil, Clapton wire can usually be found at any DIY vape supplier. It is not very expensive, and your coil can be better customized when you make it yourself. If you are not much of a builder you can also buy pre-built
coils.

Available at: Lightning Vapes

Pre-made Clapton Coils: Like we talked about earlier many companies are selling pre-built Clapton coils. They can be used in rebuildable atomizers and make the customization process of any mod simple and less time consuming. They are usually cheap and easy to install. Many companies also offer pre-built clapton coils for their sub-ohm tanks.

Available at: VaporBeast 

Clapton coils are still relatively new to the vape world. As they continue to grow in popularity many companies will jump on the band wagon and offer additional Clapton coil options. What do you guys think of Clapton Coils? Let us know in the comments below. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Send us a picture of your Clapton coil build for a chance to be featured.

If you mastered building a Clapton Coil and want a more advanced build, check out our guide on how to build an Alien Coil.

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15 of the Most Popular Vape & JUUL Tricks: How To & Examples

Most people are familiar with traditional smoke tricks such as the smoke ring, and the French inhale. The Vaping community has taken it one step further, creating mind-bending tricks and showcasing their skills on Instagram and YouTube. Some of these tricks you might have heard of, and some may be completely foreign to you. and contrary to what the public might think Blowing the biggest cloud possible is not considered a vape trick.

In this guide we are going to teach you how to do the most popular vaping tricks, and show you what it looks like to do them properly. If you Practice these 13 tricks you will become a vape bender in no time.

The best setup for performing these tricks would be a Sub ohm tank or RDA. You’ll also want a high VG E-Liquid to produce the thickest clouds. In order to become a master of vape tricks you must have skills, practice, and patients.

French Inhale

What is it: The french inhale is a simple, yet crowd pleasing trick. This trick is popular in weed culture and has become a favorite of vapers everywhere. It involves pushing the vapour or smoke from your mouth to your nose.

How to do it: First Take a drag of your vape mod. Then hold the vapour in your cheeks letting it settle. Open your mouth and gently push the vapour out while simultaneously inhaling through your nose. This creates a reverse waterfall effect.

Smoke Rings

What is it: Another well-known trick, smoke rings are fun to create and look amazing. It’s like ghostly hula hoop. They are very common and the base of many tricks we describe later on. So if you want to be one of the Lords of Vape town you must become an expert on this trick.

How to do it: Take a drag from your vape and inhale it into your throat. Open your mouth and form your lips into a round “O” shape. DO NOT EXHALE. Instead create a small force of wind  by opening and closing your throat. This movement of the throat should push a small amount of vapour out of your mouth creating a perfect ring.

Double and Triple O’s

What is it: this is a variation of smoke rings and Its pretty self explanatory. you blow two, or even three, smoke rings at the same time.

How to do it: Don’t be fooled by this tricks stunning appearance, it is quite simple to learn if you’ve learned how to blow O’s.

Place a finger over your mouth splitting it into two sections. now when you exhale your vapour you should have two identical rings. To blow triple O’s you guessed it, put three fingers over your mouth and exhale. Look at the guys technique in the video above. The best way to learn these tricks is to follow along with someone.

Vape Tornado

What is it: This is probably the most popular trick on the list. Nicknamed the VapeNado, it  has single handedly pushed vape tricks into the mainstream. People saw this trick and where immediately drawn to vaping because of it. The tornado was such a game changer because it could never be done as intensely with Tobacco or marijuana smoke. Vape smoke is much thicker making it the perfect consistency to create an awesome tornado effect.

How to do it: Delicately exhale vapour onto a flat surface preferably a table. Let the vapour settle onto the table until it is motionless. Then place your hand vertically in the middle of the smoke and flick your wrist up and lift your arm all in one fluid motion. Here is another example of what it looks like when done perfectly.

Dragon

What is it: Another impressive trick that is easy to master. This trick gives you the appearance of a dragon breathing out smoke.

How to do it: Take a big rip of your vape without inhaling. Once your mouth is full of smoke, exhale out your nose while simultaneously blowing vapour out of each side of your mouth.

Vape Bending

What is it: This trick is what separates the beginner’s from the seasoned pros. Vape bending is to manipulate a smoke ring or a trick anyway you want using your hands or body.

How to do it: Cup your hand next to your mouth as you blow a smoke ring. Follow the ring with your hand, gently directing it wherever you want it to go. With practice you can basically control your O’s to do whatever you want. The video below is an example of advanced vape bending.

A video posted by Vaping Media (@vapingmedia) on

Bull Ring

What is it: Using vapour to create ring through your nose like a bull or any pop punk teenager.

How to do it: Blow a small to medium sized smoke ring then lean in and inhale the top of the ring with your nostrils. This creates the illusion of a bull ring in your nose. Stand in front of a mirror or video tape yourself while doing this trick so you can tell if you are performing it correctly.

Jelly Fish

What is it: The jellyfish is my personal favorite trick. It is so versatile and guaranteed to leave your friends dumbfounded. Also known as the atomic bomb, this trick is created by blowing a smoke ring and then filling the inside of it with vapour. In order to do this trick you must already know how to blow smoke rings and vape bend.

How to do it: blow a smoke ring and immediately place your hand behind it. Follow the ring with your hand until it widens and slows down. Then take a drag of your vape holding the smoke in your cheeks. Then gently push the Vapour in the middle of the Smoke ring. This is similar to the french inhale that we talked about earlier. The vapour will be dragged by the ring creating and giant jellyfish. Don’t worry, they don’t sting. Below is another example of a jellyfish.

A video posted by Vaping Media (@vapingmedia) on

The Lasso

What is it: The lasso is great to add to the end of a combo of tricks. Its like the icing on the cake. The idea is to blow a small ring through the center of a larger ring. The momentum of the larger ring should suck up the smaller ring creating a lasso effect.

How to do it: Blow one large smoke ring and then immediately after a smaller smoke ring. Control the smaller ring with your hand and force it into the center of the larger ring. If done properly the large ring should absorb the smaller ring creating an impressive lasso. This trick can be difficult to master and may require a lot of practice.

Vape Bubbles

What is it: The vape bubble is a real show stopper, and can be fun for the whole family. This trick produces a huge bubble filled with thick vapour.

How to do it: Cut the bottom off a plastic water bottle or a 1 Liter of soda depending on how big you want your bubbles to be. Then mix a solution of soap and water in a bowl big enough to fit your bottle. Dip the end of the bottle into the mixture, then slowly exhale vapour through the nozzle to create amazing vape bubbles.

Triangles

What is it: Are you an expert at blowing O’s and want something more challenging? How about blowing triangles, or squares, and even a hexagon. Ok we are joking about the hexagon.

How to do it: Blow a large dense smoke ring placing your hand behind it. Then swipe down twice on the side of the O so it starts to ripple. The result should be a spinning triangle. Add a lasso or a jellyfish to this trick for more style points.

Bane Inhale

What is it: This trick was born in the darkness and is inspired by the iconic batman villain. This is a french inhale with a twist to resemble bane from Batman the Dark knight Rises.

How to do it: Like a french inhale take a pull of your mod and hold the vapour in your cheeks. Then push your jaw forward and connect your bottom teeth with your upper lip. Then let the vapour flow through the crevices between your teeth and lip while inhaling through your nose.

Ghost Inhale

What is it:  Also know as the Atomic bomb or mushroom cloud, this trick is easy and fun to do. It involves blowing a cloud of vapour, then quickly inhaling it again.

How to do it: Take a drag from your vape mod and hold the vapour in your cheeks letting is settle for a few seconds. Then slowly open your mouth and push the vapour out trying to keep it in the form of a ball. Once you see vapour strongly inhale it back into your mouth. Remember, don’t blow out to long, otherwise your vape ball will float away.

The Waterfall

What is it: This trick is a fun science experiment you can do at home. The waterfall is like having your own personal vape cloud trapped in a bottle. You will feel like a real life wizard after you do this.

How to do it: This trick is pretty simple and doesn’t require any skill whatsoever. Get an empty water bottle and slowly blow your vapour into it. Once the bottle is full you can pour it out and you have your very own vape waterfall. We told you it was easy.

Vape Backflip

 

A video posted by Vaping Media (@vapingmedia) on

What is it: The vape back flip is more of a beginners trick. Just kidding, We have no idea how this guy does it. It’s amazing though.

Like we said earlier most of these vape tricks require a lot of time and practice. But with this guide and some dedication you will become the last Vape bender in no time. Let us know your favorites in the comments below. Also tag @VapingMedia on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

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Intro to Vaping: RDA’s and Mods

As you start to explore the world of vaping and graduate from a newbie to an advanced vapor there are some elements of the vaping that require some knowledge to begin your journey as a vaping expert.

When exploring new elements of vaping there can be a lot of information that could leave you overwhelmed. So instead of going in depth on things like Coils, Tanks, batteries, and many other vaping terms we are going to keep this article simple. If you want to progress from a simple e-cigarette vape pen to a more advanced personalized vaporizer we will help you get started.

Atomizersatomizer-t

The atomizer is one of the major components of any customized vaporizer. It is on the most important parts of your vape pen because it is what turns e-liquid into vapor.

An atomizer heats a coil that is in contact with your preferred e-liquid. You should always be aware that atomizers can be quite hot after using them so always use caution when handling them.

Today there are many different types of atomizers that will help you customize your vaping experience, and figure out what they prefer.

Atomizers have switched from being disposable components, to being rebuild-able and customizable offering vapors a number of options when looking to take vaping to the next level.

Rebuildable dripping atomizer (RDA)

rda-for-articleThe (RDA) is common among dedicated vapors. This type of atomizer allows the vaper to re-inject e-liquid into the atomizer every few puffs. Inside an RDA is a negative and positive connection point where a coil is inserted. You then put a wick through your coil, saturate it with juice, and you’re ready to go. RDA’s let you to swap out different flavors of e-juice with ease. You can experiment with different e-liquids and find out what your preference is.

Tanks

tanks-for-articleTanks are atomizers without the re-dripping option that an RDA has.  A vape tank contains an enclosed coil surrounded by a tank you can fill with your favorite e-liquid. They can usually be opened and rebuilt. Beginners love them because they allow you to fill your tank and go. Advanced vapors like to use larger tanks so they do not need to be re-filled as often.

Rebuildable Tank Atomizer (RTA)

rta-for-articleThe RTA is one of the most commonly used atomizers. Vapers like them because of their simplicity and, they allow for lengthier vaping sessions. Instead of dripping straight onto the coil like the (RDA) you just replace your tank that is around your coil. You also still have the ability to customize your coil to your own specifications. Most vapers choose them because you can switch between flavors and juices quickly.

What is a Mod?vape-mods-for-articles

A vape mod is essentially the older brother of the vape pen. It is the device that allows for advanced components such as RDA’s and RTA’s that we talked about earlier. The mod gives the user a much more customizable and powerful experience. The mod allows the user to control every aspect of their vaping experience.

Mods allow the user to adjust the power based on their needs. There are self-regulated and mechanical mods. Self-Regulated mods use variable voltage which allows you to manually adjust your power. In easier terms it controls the level of heat to your vape mods coil. Mechanical mods have differential power settings and are more basic then then self-regulated mods.

Mods are being innovated constantly, and create a whole new vaping market. The only way to know what you prefer when vaping is to do some research and test out different products. No two vapers are alike and you need to find out what products align with what you want out of your vaping experience.

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What is E-liquid? Is it Safe? A complete guide on the ingredients and safety of E-liquid

If you are new to vaping and you just bought you first vape pen you may be asking yourself “What is E-liquid?”. In this article we are going to explain what e-liquid is, the ingredients that compose e-liquid, and just how healthy it truly is.

e-juice-picsE-liquid or e-juice is the fluid that fuels your electronic cigarette. It Is what provides the flavoring and nicotine to the user. E-liquid is heated inside your E-cig and creates a vapor in which the user inhales which mimics traditional cigarettes. This is where the term “Vaping” Comes from. E-liquid is normally composed of four different ingredients. Each ingredient, is used in other applications in the consumer world. We explore each ingredient separately so we can get more information about the potential side effects of inhaling these substances. In this article we are going to look at vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, flavoring, and nicotine and talk about the health risks when inhaling them.

VG (vegetable glycerin)

Also called glycerol, is a clear, odorless liquid produced from plant oils, typically palm oil, soy, or coconut oil. VG is most often be found in cosmetic products, lotions, and toothpastes. VG is not only safe for your skin and body, it is also considered safe for consumption, since it can be found in many fruits vegetables, and dairy products.

Vegetable Glycerin makes up the base of your e-liquid but can also be mixed with PG (Propylene Glycol). Many electronic cigarette users report a smoother hit when using a higher VG e-liquid. A higher VG mix will also create thicker clouds, and is smoother on the lungs. Since Vegetable glycerin is regarded as safe, less research is conducted on its long term side effects. However it is very unlikely that VG presents any harmful affects.

PG (Propylene Glycol)

Commonly mixed with vegetable glycerin to make the base of your e-liquid. Propylene glycol is clear, colorless, order-less, and tasteless. It is a liquid alcohol that is used as a solvent, in antifreeze, and in the food, plastics, and perfume industries. Propylene glycol was classified by the U.S  Food and Drug Administration as “generally recognized as safe” for use as a direct food additive. PG and VG are generally mixed in different ratios in e-liquid depending on your preference. PG has a stronger throat hit which many vapors enjoy.

People have been questioning how safe inhaling propylene glycol is for decades now. initially it was administered in hospitals as a treatment to help breathing. Currently however PG can be found in everything from ice cream, to  deodorant. If you look at early studies on propylene glycol is seems to show that there is little to no harmful effects when inhaling the substance. Other studies find that when PG is inhaled it may be a deterrent against influenza, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases.

Flavoring

E-liquid usually has some form of flavoring added to it typically made of out food grade flavoring. Flavoring is what makes many people skeptical on the safety of E-liquid. The word “Flavoring” is sometimes used on a products ingredient list without any real description of what it is made with. This leaves the consumer questioning what’s actually in the product, and if it is safe.

Most flavorings in e-liquid are generally approved by the FDA for consumption, but aren’t tested for their harmfulness when inhaled. Does this mean that all e-liquid flavorings are unsafe? No, but you should always research what’s in your e-juice and who you’re buying it from.

There are known examples of flavorings in e-liquid that can be potentially dangerous.  The most popular was diacetyl which is used primarily as a butter flavor in popcorn and other products. The Harvard School of Public health found that the chemical flavoring diacetyl found in E-Cigarettes is linked to certain lung diseases primarily popcorn lung. Most of the cases of popcorn Lung however where in workers in microwave popcorn plants who were inhaling large amounts of diacetyl on a daily bases.

popcorn lung

A study published in the 2015 journal of Environmental health Perspectives showed that the chemical diacetyl was found in many types of e-cigarette juice flavors especial in candy and fruit flavors.

Dr.Michael Siegel, a professor in the department of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health pointed out that this Harvard study did not mention that regular cigarettes contain a lot more diacetyl then any e-liquid on the market. Siegel found that “daily exposure to diacetyl from smoking is 750 times higher, on average than exposure to diacetyl from vaping”. The risks of diacetyl exposure are far lower for vapers than for smokers. However According to Critical reviews in Toxicology, “Smoking has not been shown to be a risk factor in bronchiolitis (Popcorn Lung).

So if you vape you have a far lower chance of contracting popcorn lung from diacetyl then someone who smokes cigarettes. Also if you smoke cigarettes it is highly unlikely that you will ever contract popcorn lung.

This doesn’t mean diacetyl is completely safe in e-liquid. You should avoid buying e-juice that contains this chemical. The majority of e-liquid manufactures today are removing diacetyl from there recipes, and this chemical will most likely be completely fazed out of all e-liquids in the future.

The amount of flavoring in E-liquid is also extremely small, often only measuring between 1% and 2% of the entire make-up of the e-liquid. In comparison traditional cigarettes contain as much as 8% of flavor adding chemicals.

Even though only small amounts of chemical flavorings are used in E-liquid there needs to be more research done on their affects when inhaled. There is still so much we do not know about the long term health risks on these chemicals. Thousands of different chemical flavoring agents are used by E-liquid manufacturers. The only real way to be safe when picking an e-liquid is to look at the ingredients and be aware of what you inhaling.

Nicotine

nicotine-compositionNicotine is added to e-liquid for people who are trying to quit smoking cigarettes but want some form of nicotine. E-liquid however can be purchased without nicotine added. It has been known for decades that nicotine is dangerous in the sense of how addictive it is. This is what keeps smokers hooked and makes big tobacco companies rich. However scientists are still unsure if nicotine alone has any health risks. A study from 1996 tested the effects of inhaling pure nicotine on lab rat’s and, found no serious changes in the rats health. “our study does not indicate any harmful effect of nicotine when given in its pure form by inhalation.”

Nicotine may also have some health benefits. Cigarette smokers often report a greater sense of concentration. Studies have even suggested that nicotine improves brain function in people suffering from dementia, and could prevent Alzheimer’s.

Conclusion

There is no way to say confidently whether e-liquid is safe for long term use. All the ingredients in e-cigarettes by themselves are relatively safe and do not have harmful side effects when inhaled. The assumption can be made that if all these relatively safe ingredients are combined the concoction would be just as harmless. Until more research is done on the long term effects of electronic cigarettes and e-liquid we will not know if they are 100% safe. We can however confidently safe that vaping is much healthier then smoking traditional cigarettes.

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Cloud Chasing Guide: How to create the biggest Vape Clouds

Vape enthusiast all around the world are taking “blowing clouds” to a whole new level.  The goal of these “cloud chasers” is to see who can create the biggest vape cloud with a vaping device. Some people call this “Stunt vaping” and their are even vape competitions to see who can blow the fattest clouds. This “sport” not only has fans but teams, sponsors and cash prizes.

Some cloud chasers however are not competing. Their goal is to blow a giant cloud of vapor at the grocery store and force other to inhale their second hand vapor.  These people are giving vaping a bad name and encourage vaping bans and restrictions, as well as negatively influencing the public’s perception on the vape culture.

So in the article I am going to explain how to be responsible while cloud chasing and how not to harm yourself or other with your dope vape clouds.

What is Cloud Chasing?

If you haven’t noticed already people who vape are very passionate about it. Many vapors work constantly on rebuilding their mods, and finding the best setup to blow the biggest clouds. Like anyone else who has a passion or hobbies, vapors want to be the best at what they do because they enjoy it. Cloud chasing is the result of passionate people wanting to have fun. Cloud chasing is vapors doing whatever it takes to blow the biggest clouds.

The most important Tips and tricks for cloud chasing

Now that I have explained cloud chasing I am going to talk about the most important things to understand before you start blowing Fat vape clouds. Cloud chasing can be dangerous so it is important to educate yourself before you start. Follow these tips, and tricks to cloud chase safely and effectively.

Battery Safety:

Uexplosion for cloud articleI’m sure you have seen the news articles of vape mods exploding in people’s faces causing serious injury. This is caused by amateur vapors not understanding how to cloud chase. Never leave a charging battery unattended, this can lead to the battery exploding or catching fire. Also an overcharged battery can have the same results. Use the safest possible batteries, and never use a charger that isn’t compatible with your mod. just have some common sense.

Airflow:

Airflow can make or break your vape clouds. Not enough air coming in could lead to the mod overheating, and if their is too much air it will affect the size of your vape clouds. It is important to find a happy median to where you can blow large clouds, without putting yourself in danger.

E-Liquid:

Vape juice is critical when trying to be the world’s best cloud chaser. For anyone new to vaping they should use a juice with a blend of both propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). This combination helps combat that harsh throat feeling and make your hits much smoother. However a cloud chaser needs a VG heavy E-juice because it creates thicker, and denser vape clouds.

juice final image

Mod:

Picking the right mod is important to support low resistant coil builds which are ideal for cloud chasing. If your mod is not built properly it can overheat, and possibly explode or catch fire.  Most cloud chasers use mechanical mods because they have excellent airflow and allow for the biggest clouds.  Mechanical mods require extensive knowledge and are not for beginners.

Breathing:

Not only is your equipment important to cloud chasing but so is your technique.  It is obvious that whoever has the most lung capacity will blow the biggest clouds. So if you can only take baby hits this sport is not for you. It is also important to exhale your clouds slowly so they appear bigger and disperse slower. Like a pitcher works on his mechanics, a cloud chaser must get their technique perfect in order to be the best. Do you think Tom Brady became the best quarterback ever because he didn’t practice. HELL NO? I heard he can also blow one sick vape cloud.

Wicking:

Wicking is how your e-juice is delivered to the heating coil. In an atomizer, there is an absorbent wick that helps e-liquid get down to the vaporizing coil.  If you need a visual just picture an oil lamp. The wick in an oil lamp is used to absorb the liquid and then bring it to the fire. It’s the same concept when vaping.  The better the wick the better the juice reaches your coil.

Build:

Cloud chasing boils down to how you build your device. You want low resistance of your coils, and the perfect amount of air flow.  The better your mod is built the bigger clouds you will create. Many people ask me what is the best build for cloud chasing? There is no definite answer because there’s so many factors that come into play.

coils final

The potential Dangers of Cloud chasing

Cloud chasing can be a very enjoyable if done correctly. Before you start cloud chasing do some research and gain the proper knowledge on the subject to avoid injury. Educate yourself on battery safety and ohm’s laws. Read articles online, and watch videos on the topic before you attempt to be a cloud chaser. Please vape responsibly! Make sure you are of legal age to buy and use vaping equipment.

Conclusion:

Learn about cloud chasing before you try it. If you get injured while vaping you make the whole vape community look bad. The public sees uneducated people blowing themselves up with their vape mods and think that’s the norm. Also if you do decide to become a cloud chaser, don’t blow your clouds in a public area or in the face of others. No one wants to have to forcefully smell your vape clouds. Don’t be that asshole. Most importantly have fun, and be safe.