Your Guide to Smokeless Vape and a Healthy Smokeless Vape Alternative

3 CITATIONS - 05/29/2024

Key Takeaways

01. There is a rising number of smokeless vape products being introduced to the market.

02. While companies market smokeless vapes as a healthier option, the chemicals they contain as well as nicotine make them a wellness concern.

03. The shift offers a new healthy smokeless vape alternative to improve mental and physical wellness.

04. If you’re working to quit nicotine, identifying triggers, building a support system, and staying busy can all help to successfully kick the habit.

Looking Through the Smokescreen

We live in an age of evolving nicotine products. What started out as pipes, cigars, and snuff eventually turned into the world-renowned cigarette. And now? We’re in an unprecedented era of varying products that contain nicotine or other compounds, all of which use differing routes of uptake into the body. One of the newest items you may have heard of is the smokeless vape.

The push towards this new device comes from the main promotion that it can help those who are trying to stop smoking, whether that be cigarettes or e-cigarettes. With around two-thirds of smokers admitting that they want to quit but so few able to achieve the goal, there’s a wide consumer base that this product may appeal to. If you happen to be in this category, know that you’re not alone! Nicotine is one powerful stimulant drug that not only affects you physically but also emotionally. Retraining your brain to avoid this habit is no easy task, but the health benefits are absolutely worth it.

Whether you’re looking to kick smoking out of your life, are looking for a safer alternative to smoking, or are simply curious, there’s a lot you need to know about the smokeless vape. Is it the product for you, or is a healthy smokeless vape alternative better? Let’s dive in.

Are There Smokeless Vapes?

Chances are, you’ve seen someone with a cloud of smoke around them that smells vaguely like a fruit or some other food item. The smell is similar to the taste of flavored soda water– barely there and slightly familiar but not quite the same as the real thing. Those individuals are using the typical vape that’s been splashed around throughout the news and found in every gas station and smoke shop across the nation. The smokeless vape differs from this traditional product by giving the usual a similar experience without producing the telltale plume of smoke.

The allure of smokeless vapes is their ability to be discreet. It’s a bit hard to hide a cloud of smoke, right? Without this telltale visible sign, though, an individual using the device can smoke relatively anywhere without those nearby noticing. There’s a reason they’re also referred to as stealth vapes.

How Does It Work?

Smokeless vapes heat a liquid, commonly referred to as e-liquid or vape juice, to produce vapor. When a user takes a puff, the device's battery activates, sending an electrical current to a coil or heating element. This heating element then warms up the e-liquid, typically held in a small tank or reservoir containing nicotine, flavorings, and other additives. As the liquid heats up, it turns into vapor, which is then inhaled through the mouthpiece.

The difference between a vape and a smokeless vape is technology. They’re smaller devices that generate less vapor. To explain it technically, these devices generally operate at lower temperatures, which minimizes vapor production. The heating element heats the e-liquid just enough to release nicotine and flavors without creating a visible cloud. Smokeless vapes also usually contain e-liquids with a higher ratio of propylene glycol (PG) and a lower amount of vegetable glycerin (VG). Since propylene glycol produces less vapor than vegetable glycerin, the exhaled vapor is less noticeable.

Smokeless Vape Options

As with any product, companies have developed various types of smokeless vapes. These are the main contenders.

Pod Systems: These are small, portable devices that use pre-filled or refillable pods to supply e-liquid.
Disposable Vapes: These single-use devices are pre-filled with e-liquid and discarded after use.
Closed System Vapes: These closed-system vapes utilize pre-filled pods or cartridges. They often offer a variety of flavors and nicotine levels.
Nicotine Salt Devices: These devices use nicotine salts, which are absorbed more rapidly by the body. They provide a more potent nicotine hit with less visible vapor.

What Their Marketing Promotes

With major marketing campaigns underway, companies creating these products have positioned them as the clear choice over typical vapes, and especially over smoking. These are some of the perks they say come with choosing a smokeless vape.

It's More Flavorful

With hundreds of flavors available, companies tout the smokeless vape as a preferred alternative to that intense taste that comes with a normal cigarette.

There's No Smoke

The thicker, fullness of the vapor appeals to many people as opposed to the smoke cigarettes create. Some companies also say that this is a healthier alternative to cigarettes and the chemicals it contains in the smoke produced, stating that it reduces the risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other smoking-related illnesses. We’ll get more into this later, but as you can imagine, you’re still inhaling harmful matter, so this statement's foundation is not quite sturdy.

It's Less Smelly

Minus the slight flavor-related smell it creates in the surrounding air, vapes do not create that noticeable odor that comes along with smoking. If you’ve ever sat in the car with a cigarette smoker, you’re probably all too familiar with the bitter, harsh smell that accompanies them. While it creates a scent around the individual smoking, it also leaves a smell on clothing and any other material in the surrounding space. As sellers promote, smokeless vapes avoid this issue for those who use the products.

Lack of Chemicals Found in Cigarettes

The average cigarette contains a mixture of over 7,000 chemicals. Proponents of e-cigarettes and smokeless vapes tout their products as a healthier alternative because they contain far fewer harmful compounds. Let’s not forget to read between the lines, though! It’s important to note that they still contain hundreds, if not thousands, of harmful chemicals. We’ll get more into this in a moment.

It's More Discrete

When it comes to smoking and vaping, this is the real drawl of smokeless vapes to many people. The lack of a visible indicator allows someone to “hit” their device without attracting the attention of anyone nearby. This allows them to smoke relatively anywhere.

On the surface level, it seems like a no-brainer positive smokeless smoking device. So, what’s the catch?

Are Smokeless Vapes Healthy?

While it may seem like a tempting option, the question is whether or not these products are good for you. Being so new on the market, studies have not yet caught up to understand how these devices impact health. Particularly how a smokeless vape, or vape in general, impacts the body in the long term. Unfortunately, this doesn’t exactly fall into the “no news is good news category.” Just think about how long it took until we realized how detrimental smoking cigarettes was to our health.

As many medical professionals will state, vaping is not a risk-free alternative to smoking. While studies have yet to pinpoint the exact extent of how devices like smokeless vapes impact the body, they have noticed that they come with an increased risk of diseases, including lung illnesses, stroke, heart conditions, cancer, and pneumonia. Mental health is also at the forefront of negative impacts associated with vaping.

Of the situations listed above, the potential for lung damage is one of the major concerns Although vaping doesn't contain the same harmful chemicals as traditional cigarettes, it still can contain cancer-causing chemicals, VOCs, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead. All of which can lead to inflammation and irritation in the lungs. This irritation may manifest as respiratory issues like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The aerosol released also contains a high concentration of ultrafine particles, and the particle concentration is higher than in conventional tobacco cigarette smoke, leading to harmful exposures.

Studies show that exposure of human lung cells to electronic smoking device aerosols and copper nanoparticles results in inflammation and even causes DNA damage. Usage physically changes airways, which could influence the onset of chronic lung conditions. The airways of those who vape also tend to be more inflamed and appear redder compared to those of smokers and nonsmokers.

The flavorings used in vape liquids add yet another layer of concern. While these flavorings are generally safe to eat, inhaling them poses a different set of risks. Research suggests that certain flavorings could contribute to lung damage and disease.

Some of the main culprits for concern in many smokeless vape products are:

Diacetyl: Known to damage small passageways in the lungs.
Acrolein: Can also damage lungs and is used as a weed killer
Formaldehyde: As a carcinogen, it can cause lung disease and contribute to heart disease.

Further studies are still needed, but what’s already known about these products does cause concern. One noteworthy negative outcome is the potential to develop a condition called “popcorn lung.” Medically known as bronchiolitis obliterans, popcorn lung is a rare and serious condition that damages the small airways in the lungs. The term originated from cases of workers in microwave popcorn factories developing lung disease after inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used to impart butter flavor to popcorn. In popcorn lung, the small airways become scarred and narrowed, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. What happens to be found in many vapes? Diacetyl.

Vaping-Related Lipoid Pneumonia is a final concern. This condition occurs when lipids or fats enter the lungs, causing inflammation and respiratory symptoms. Let’s also not forget the glaring health factor in the room: nicotine.

Why You Should Avoid Nicotine

According to The World Health Organization, tobacco kills over 8 million people a year around the world. Around 1.3 million of those deaths are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. As many smokeless vapes contain nicotine, these fall into the category of products causing harm.

Not only is nicotine highly addictive, but it also leads to a plethora of health issues that extend to all systems of the body, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and reproductive systems, and it’s been shown to be carcinogenic.

These are some of the health implications of nicotine:

Heart Health: Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure, putting extra strain on your cardiovascular system. Over time, this can lead to heart disease and increase the risk of heart attacks. It also causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of oxygen that can reach your heart.
Lung Damage: While smoking is a well-known culprit in lung disease, nicotine itself contributes to lung damage. It promotes inflammation and can exacerbate conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Addiction and Brain Impact: Nicotine is highly addictive, making it difficult to quit once you start. It affects brain chemistry, altering mood and reinforcing the cycle of addiction. This is particularly concerning for young people, as it can impact brain development and increase the likelihood of future substance abuse.
Reproductive Health: Nicotine has adverse effects on reproductive health for both men and women. In women, it can reduce fertility and complicate pregnancy. In men, it can lower sperm count and quality, making conception more challenging.
Overall Health Risks: Nicotine's systemic effects extend beyond the heart and lungs. It can contribute to insulin resistance, increase the risk of diabetes, and affect the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases.

It's Not Just Smoking: Products Like Zyn Still Create Concerns

Smoking and smokeless vapes aren’t the only things to look out for. Nicotine pouches, like Zyn, have become a popular alternative for those seeking a smokeless nicotine experience. Marketed as a safer option compared to smoking, these pouches contain nicotine without the tobacco. However, while they eliminate the harmful effects of combustion, they are not without their own health risks. They still contain nicotine. Based on the information above, we know that’s a serious health concern.

Zyn pouches also pose significant risks to oral health. The use of nicotine pouches has been linked to an increased risk of gum disease, tooth loss, cavities, and stained teeth. The direct contact of nicotine with the gums can lead to inflammation and other dental issues over time.

So Why Do People Vape?

With all of the health risks listed above, why is vaping an increasingly popular habit? One of the main reasons, as marketed by vape companies, is to use it as a stepping stone to quitting smoking. However, many researchers have found that this is not always the case. More frequently than not, it just becomes a bigger habit that they need to kick because vapes allow individuals to smoke relatively anywhere.

When you have an addictive substance like nicotine available at any moment of the day, that can lead to an uptick in habitual use. The American Lung Association has gone so far as to implore that “the FDA must crack down on the unproven health claims made by the e-cigarette industry because it's confusing people who want to quit smoking.” Some researchers do believe it can be used as a cessation tool for smoking, but the studies supporting this are limited.

A few other reasons people pick up vaping, and by relationship smokeless vaping include:

Affordability: Vaping tends to be more economical compared to smoking.
Lack of Smoke: E-cigarettes emit vapor instead of smoke, eliminating the associated odor and reducing social stigma.
Variety of Flavors: Vapes are available in a wide range of flavors that appeal to anyone’s taste preferences.
Social Factors: Peer usage and targeted advertising by tobacco companies often encourage vaping among young people. This is actually an increasingly large issue as we’re finding more and more youth using vaping products.
Nicotine Effect: The nicotine in vapes can provide a brief sensation of pleasure and energy.

And, of course, as mentioned above, vapes and smokeless vapes are more discrete than regular cigarettes. Yet the positives above do not outweigh the health implications of using a vape or smokeless vape.

Healthy Vape Alternative

All of those options come with their own set of drawbacks, including many smokeless vapes. There is one other healthy smokeless vape alternative you may not have heard of yet, though—one that doesn’t contain the harmful side effects listed above.

Introducing the Shift

The Shift is a necklace concept that simply slows your exhale to 8+ seconds, triggering your vagus nerve to calm your nervous system. There’s no app, batteries, or chemicals involved…it just leverages a proven breath technique that calms you naturally and silently. If you’re looking into a smokeless vape to help stop smoking, this alternative will help you break the habit.

Breaking the Nicotine Habit

Breathwork is the best-kept secret to wellness, backed by science. The Shift uses a patented design to slow your exhale, giving you more control over stress, anxiety, and cravings associated with withdrawal. This is one of the biggest benefits of The Shift, which is a great healthy smokeless vape alternative.

Dealing With Anxiety

Originally designed to combat stress, reduce anxiety, and elevate mood, the Shift has become the perfect tool to combat withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. Many use cigarettes and vapes as a crutch for dealing with stress. The Shift acts as a healthier solution, and it works because you wear it.

Replace Oral Fixation

A large part of smoking and vaping is the oral fixation of bringing a cigarette or vape to your mouth. The Shift allows you to replace this oral fixation with a healthier alternative, natural deep breathing.

Whether you’re trying to quit smoking or looking for a tool to help with anxiety, this is a great smokeless vape alternative to help you succeed.Originally designed to combat stress, reduce anxiety, and elevate mood, the Shift has become the perfect tool to combat withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. Many use cigarettes and vapes as a crutch for dealing with stress. The Shift acts as a healthier solution, and it works because you wear it.

The Shift, so much good in one breath.

SHOP THE SHIFT

How to Kick Nicotine

The best path to victory will include a multi-pronged approach. Setting yourself up with a quit plan before stopping can make a world of difference during this process and help you achieve success. Whether you’re trying to quit cigarettes, vaping, or even a smokeless vape that contains nicotine, here are some great ideas to get started.

1. Understand What to Expect With Withdraw

Nicotine binds to receptors in the brain, prompting the release of dopamine, a neurohormone that creates feelings of pleasure. Continuous use of nicotine products keeps dopamine levels high. When you stop using nicotine, these receptors are no longer stimulated, resulting in less dopamine release, which affects your mood and behavior. Nicotine also alters the balance of other brain chemicals, and stopping its use disrupts this balance, leading to various withdrawal symptoms.

Withdraw symptoms can include:

Irritability, restlessness, or jitteriness
Anxiety
Fatigue or grogginess
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble sleeping
Depression
Increased hunger
Strong cravings for e-cigarettes

2. Identify Potential Triggers

When you develop a smoking habit, there are generally situations in life that will make you reach for a vape or cigarette. Understanding these patterns beforehand can help you avoid them and in turn, avoid smoking! Practicing mindfulness and recognizing a trigger while it’s in action can also help you quickly pivot to a technique that works to help lessen the craving.

Some of these triggers may include:

Stressful situations
Feelings of anxiety or depression
Certain social situations, like being at a bar
Bring around others who are smoking
Pay at the pump so you don’t have to go into the gas station where there’s plenty of access to nicotine

Whatever your particular trigger is, be aware of it so that you can anticipate working through or around it!

3. Stay Busy and Break Routines

The busier you are, the less you’ll be able to think about the habit you’re trying to kick. It’s basically a technique to keep yourself distracted and shift your focus away from the cravings and towards something more beneficial. “Idle hands” and all. Staying busy also helps break previous habits you developed, including smoking.

With that in mind, pick up a new hobby, knock out those projects you’ve been meaning to get to, spend time with friends, or any other activity that keeps you active and cheerful. Make these new habits so they don’t have smoking connected to them, as many of your old habits may.

That said, make sure to practice mindfulness during this process as well. Meditation, breathwork, and visualization strategies are great practices to add to your new and improved routines. They can also help you work through cravings as they ebb and flow and push through them.

4. Build a Support System

Let your family and friends know that you’re quitting so they can help you avoid triggers and not be a trigger themselves! That way, they’ll know to steer clear of any nicotine products or social situations that could induce a craving. Quitting is difficult, so let them know that you may need a little extra encouragement. By the way, asking for help is a sign of strength and shows your dedication!

Joining a community is another great way to increase your support system. These individuals will be able to empathize with your journey and provide insights from their own journey to quitting.

5. Exercise

Exercising is a huge help to quit nicotine. Regular physical activity can help mitigate feelings of stress, anxiety, and irritability because exercising promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. This can help make it easier to cope with the emotional roller coaster caused by withdrawal.

Exercise also helps manage cravings through distraction and diverting your focus away from wanting nicotine. Studies have shown that even short bouts of exercise can temporarily reduce the intensity of cravings, providing a vital tool for anyone trying to quit nicotine.

6. Be Prepared For Cravings

When you cut off something that your body and mind are addicted to, there will be many moments when you’ll want that substance back. Being mindful that this will happen can help you create a plan to mitigate those cravings. As mentioned above, exercise, staying busy, and practicing mindfulness can all help to alleviate those feelings. Addressing oral fixation can also help.

This can include:

Using the Shift
Chewing on gum
Picking up The Shift
Sucking on a lollipop
Hard candies
Eating a snack
Chewing on a toothpick

Whatever works to help you stay preoccupied and help overcome those nicotine cravings.

Here are a few extra tips for success:

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to help ease symptoms of withdrawl
Work on creating a healthy sleep routine
Create a healthy snack stockpile to manage potential increases in hunger or if munching helps with the oral fixation

Above all, stay positive! There’s something to be said about the simple power of positive thinking. Remember that this process is worth it and that you can and will get through it.

How Hard Is It To Quit Nicotine?

In short, it can be difficult. But, the positive wellness results are absolutely worth the work. The main reason why it’s so hard to quit vaping is the nicotine. Smokeless vapes can be equally as difficult to kick if they contain this powerful substance.

Using vaping products can make this withdrawal even more intense. Research suggests that inhaling nicotine through vapor can be more potent and addictive than smoking traditional cigarettes, which is why people find quitting vaping even more challenging than quitting smoking. When you stop vaping, the nicotine levels in your bloodstream drop, and your body and brain need to adjust to the absence of nicotine. If a smokeless vape contains nicotine, it also falls into this category.

The goal is to use the steps above to navigate through any speedbumps you face and to push through!

You've Got This!

This information is not meant to discourage you! It’s meant to empower you. If you know what to expect while kicking nicotine, you can work to address any issues that pop up so you can stay on the path to success.

The tips listed above can help push through these symptoms so that you can get started on your new and improved smoke-less life! And, if you’re considering picking up a smokeless vape, opt for a healthy smokeless vape alternative, like The Shift instead.

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9937772/

https://mobil.bfr.bund.de/cm/349/health-risk-assessment-of-nicotine-pouches.pdf

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijd/2023/9437475/

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