If you’re wondering what happens if you drink vape juice, it’s important to understand the risks and consequences. While it is designed to be vaporized and inhaled, some may wonder what happens if you drink vape juice.
Our article covers everything you need to know about the dangers of drinking vape juice, how to recognize symptoms, and what to do if you accidentally ingest it. Stay informed and stay safe—read our guide today.
What Happens When You Drink Vape Juice?
Experienced vapers can tell different e-liquid flavors with just a little drop. Thus, it’s safe to taste a small amount of it, but with high amounts of nicotine present in vape juice, it can be dangerous and fatal to actually drink it.
But let’s be real, no one in their right mind should ever attempt to chug a whole bottle of vape juice, no matter how dire the situation is. That’s just asking for trouble.
Still, we understand that things could happen by accident, especially with improper usage. Maybe you filled your tank a little too much or sucked on the tip a little too hard—we won’t judge.
In the event that you or someone near you accidentally ingests vape juice, there are health risks and consequences that must be taken into account, with chemical poisoning being the most frequent outcome.
Dangers of Vape Juice
Vape juice in electronic cigarettes poses potential health risks, including harmful effects from inhaling the chemicals and the possibility of asthma attacks or heart disease from inhaling e-cigarette smoke.
Additionally, incorrect labeling and unsafe packaging could also pose hazards for children. To take action the FDA has taken decisive action to curb the use of e-liquid packaging that looks like delectable kid-friendly designs.
This is because children often mistake brightly colored and flavored bottles for candy, putting them in danger. By issuing warnings to 17 vape juice manufacturers in November 2018, the FDA made it clear that packaging resembling sugary cereals or whipped cream is no longer acceptable.
Nicotine & Other Chemical Poisoning
Nicotine is one of the key ingredients in vape products and is a highly addictive substance extracted from tobacco plants. Lethal doses of nicotine can be toxic in large doses.
It vape juice comprises three other key ingredients that could be dangerous if consumed: vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), and flavoring.
Reports suggest that a concentrated nicotine level between 500 mg to 1000 mg is enough to kill an adult. To put things into perspective, smoking a few cigarettes in quick succession can make you feel dizziness and nausea, which is similar to consuming only 1 mg to 4 mg of nicotine.
Refill bottles for vaping are also a concern for toxicologists due to the high nicotine concentration. It was said to have already caused harm, including a bull terrier’s death in England and at least one suicide case.
There had also been an attempted case of suicide in which a person consumed 4 grams of pure nicotine which is equal to 4,000 milligrams, exceeding the usual toxic dosage by 60 times. These incidents pushed governments and scientists to investigate further and avoid similar cases.
Thus, drinking vape juice in large amounts would be very dangerous and could result in serious health consequences without immediate medical attention. For vapers, save the Poison Control number 1-800-222-1222 on your device.
Health Consequences and Symptoms of Nicotine Poisoning
It’s not just a matter of discomfort; drinking vape juice without prompt intervention could have fatal consequences. There are various symptoms and side effects observed from similar cases, including:
- abdominal cramps
- agitation and tremors
- difficulty breathing
- depression
- sweating
- muscle twitching
- palpitations
- vomiting
- pale skin
- burning throat
Later, you might feel weak and tired, have blurred vision, and have trouble moving. It can even lead to fainting, seizure, coma, and cardiac arrest in severe cases.
According to the Vaping Advisor, these symptoms can start 30 minutes to four hours after consuming too much nicotine. They could get you sick for 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Moreover, the liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes can unpleasantly affect one’s digestive system. Urgent trips to the bathroom, vomiting, and diarrhea could consume your entire day.
How to Prevent Drinking Vape Juice
To stop accidentally drinking vape juice, wait a few minutes after refilling your tank before using it. This gives the juice time to settle. Also, check your e-cigarette for spills or leaks so you can fix them before they become a bigger problem.
Also, it’s important to store it properly, childproof the storage, and clearly label all vape juice containers. Keep all vape juice out of reach of children and pets, and make sure to dispose of any unused vape juice safely.
FAQs
Q1: What to do if you drink vape juice?
Well, out of instinct, you’ll probably spit it out immediately because of the unpleasant taste. Rinse your mouth with clean water until the taste leaves your buds. Do not induce vomiting, as this can make the situation worse.
Be sure to note side effects that may manifest. Use the symptoms we listed above as your guideline. If you notice a few signs, you may call for help and follow the instructions of medical professionals.
Q2: Is vaping worse than smoking?
Vaping is not as bad as smoking, but it’s not entirely safe either. E-cigarettes heat nicotine, flavors, and chemicals from tobacco to produce an inhalable vapor.
Traditional cigarettes contain approximately 7,000 harmful chemicals. Thus, vaping is believed to be less dangerous than smoking because it has fewer toxins.
Q3: Is a vape OK to smoke around kids?
It should be an obvious answer—no. Using vape pens or e-cigarettes around children is unsafe, as the chemicals in the vapor can harm their health. In addition, children have a high risk of nicotine poisoning if they accidentally ingest the vape liquid from its refills.
Q4: Is vape juice harmful to the skin?
No, getting vape juice on your skin is not a cause for concern, as the amount of nicotine in commercial e-juice is insufficient to cause any harm. The absorption of vape juice through the skin is slow and doesn’t produce noticeable effects. In case of accidental contact with e-juice, wash the affected area with soap and water.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ingestion of e-juice from vape devices can lead to serious health problems, including nicotine poisoning, respiratory issues, and other harmful chemical exposure. Do not try to purposely drink it in large amounts, whatever the circumstances.
To prevent accidentally drinking vape juice, practice proper usage and storage, and be a responsible smoker. Taking appropriate precautions can help you stay safe and enjoy vaping responsibly.
