Are Nicotine Eliquids The Source of The Vaping Scare?

Posted by The Gorilla Vapes Team on Sep 11th 2019

In today’s blog we’re going to take a deeper look into the recent report that vaping has hospitalized over 150 people in the summer of 2019.

On Wednesday August 21st the CDC initiated an investigation into why nearly 150 people have become critically ill after using ‘vape products’. Patients being reported have all been teens or young adults. Symptoms include but are not limited to

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Vomiting.
  • Chest Pain.
  • Gastrointestinal issues.

The vaping industry has seen its fair share of dreadful reports in the past but nothing like the intentional outcry that is stirring the market right now. There is an active call for the public to stop vaping from the CDC. Unfortunately, these accounts being unfairly reported are helping to keep people on combustible cigarettes. What the media has neglected to tell you is that the only deaths linked to vaping has been all but confirmed to be linked to illegal THC cartridges see article

What is a Black Market THC Cartridge?

ANY unlicensed THC cartridge without proper lab testing is considered to be apart of the black market. THC oil is being homemade nation wide by drug dealers, and placed into vape cartridges for consumption.

Why is THC oil making people sick?

The New York Department of Health officials have concluded that nearly all tests of illegal THC cartridges showed extremely high levels of vitamin E acetate. This information is crucial. As mentioned above, illegal manufacturers of THC oil likely obtain their information on how to manufacturer from the internet. Quick searches yielded many different ways to manufacture THC oils. One of the most common ways we’ve encountered while searching was using different oils in the mixture to extract the THC. There is no telling what ingredients a street manufacturer is using for their own personal gain. Low quality, and outright dangerous ingredients only mean more profit for illegal thc cartridge dealers. This article found on insider.com greatly explains the dangers of illegal cartridges and urges everyone NOT to use THC or CBD cartridges if lab results pertaining to them aren’t readily available to you.

Short Term Solution.

Many people across the globe heavily rely on THC cartridges for medicating and it’s easy to see why. THC cartridges offer instant delivery into the bloodstream while being discreet as possible and can be concealed instantly. More and more people visit vape stores daily in search of what was dying technology the “510 stick battery”. Everyday people are willingly purchasing tainted THC cartridges. It’s almost as if because there is virtually no odor, and no sight of those green marijuana buds people are becoming more receptive to the health benefits of marijuana.

It’s very well documented that everyone needs to STOP purchasing cartridges from street dealers. Vitamin E acetate or combusting marijuana leaves which ultimately welcomes carcinogens into your body. Vitamin E Acetate is typically regarded as an anti-inflammatory. It’s essentially an oil that when heated to a certain point enters the lungs, cools within the lungs, and returns to its original state (an oil, this oil then coats the inside of your lungs). Thus hindering the gas exchange within the lungs. When this happens an inflammatory response is provoked, liquid enters the lungs, and makes it excruciatingly difficult to breathe. Here’s a great read by the Washington Post on the matter.

There are many products on the market that will allow you to vaporize THC without hoping that your not inadvertently giving yourself lipoid pneumonia. Some of our personal favorite products include the Snap 3-1, and the Sub-Herb by Mig Vapor

Lipoid Pneumonia.

According to a source Lipoid Pneumonia is a rare condition that occurs when fat molecules enter the lungs. Lipoids, also known as lipids, are fat molecules. Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the lungs.

Causes of Lipoid Pneumonia

  • Mineral oil based laxatives most common when inhaled.
  • Oils present in foods.
  • Oil based medication and nasal drops
  • Petroleum Jelly
  • Oil based substances found in illegal e-cigarettes

The Four Ingredients In Your Gorilla Vapes Eliquid

  • Propylene Glycol (PG) -Hydrophile
  • Vegetable Glycerin (VG) -Hydrophile
  • Nicotine Suspended in VG or PG -Hydrophile
  • Natural/Artificial Flavorings Suspended in PG or VG -Hydrophile

PG and VG are hydrophiles. Which means they are attracted to water (water soluble). The only way you can get Lipoid Pneumonia from vaping is if there is a Hydrophobe chemical in your E-Liquid. It is literally impossible to contract Lipoid Pneumonia from inhaling PG, VG, and nicotine. Hydrophobes include alkanes, oils, and fats. There are a very select few compounds that are both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. None of which are included in ANY of our E-Liquids. It is important to note that lipoid pneumonia is the only confirmed cause of death correlated with vaping to date. It’s also worth noting that the four ingredients in e-liquids are found/consumed in everyday household items.

Aftermath

Thousands of small business owners in the vape community are being negatively affected by the flashy headlines that the media keeps pushing. Where is the “Fake News” hoard when the vaping industry so desperately needs it? Smoker’s who may have been pondering making the switch to less harmful alternative are now being fear mongered into continuing to combust tobacco, or trying supplements that rarely work for people. The fact is that traditional smoking kills 480,000 per year according to the cdc. If our industry is to blame for these recent ailments, there should be much more evidence supplied to back that up.
When our customers ask about the health risks/benefits of vaping we reply with,

It’s an easy decision for any adult consumer who desperately needs to get off of combustible tobacco smoke. Especially adults who have had no success using FDA approved alternatives. These cases so curiously popped up seemingly from nowhere at the same exact time that multiple states across the country have proposed “flavor bans” on e-liquids with Michigan being the first state to do so.

What can you do to help?

If you vape, or if vaping has helped someone close to you stop smoking you are obligated to do everything you can to help save it. First, and foremost share this! Other productive points of attack you can be doing is joining your states advocacy organization. You can also join national advocacy organizations like SFTA and CASAA. There is no “best” when it comes to who you should join. The answer is as much as you can. These organizations offer the latest news in legislation across the country, and call to actions for us to respond to. Please join today!

Conclusion

It is my own personal belief that vaping has made me a healthier human being. Going from two packs of traditional cigarettes everyday to a 3mg e-liquid has been one of the most impactful decisions I’ve ever made for myself. According to the British Columbia Lung Association I’ve prevented 277 grams of tar from entering my lungs annually. Vaping is by no means harmless, but by all means is 95% less harmful than traditional smoking. There are physicians that will absolutely tell you likewise. Take a look at this video featuring Dr. Riccardo Polosa. Personally, I’ve been vaping intensely for five years, and don’t know if I’d still be alive today without making the switch! 

CITATIONS

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