Since I'm a newbie, I don't know how to "properly" do this...so I'm just going to do my best (and hope that if I'm not supposed to do this, that a moderator let me know or move/delete my post).
From this thread (which is now "closed") http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...can-your-lungs-gets-before-having-issues.html ...I would like to add what I feel is integral information.
Yes, it does seem technically possible for vaping to 'dry out' our lungs.
Why?
Because both VG & PG are humectants!
What's a humectant?
Basically, it's any substance or chemical that draws moisture to itself. From here (you can find the same/more detailed information all over the 'net):Saje Natural Wellness | Medical & Natural Glossary | Saje Natural Wellness
Humectant A product which helps the skin retain moisture. The problem with humectants, including propylene glycol and glycerin is that; although they are most effective when you are in areas with high humidity, if you are going to be in an extremely low humidity atmosphere, such as in an airplane or even a dry room, they can actually take moisture from your skin. Heres why: Humectants are on the search for moisture that can be absorbed from the environment. If the environment is so drying that there is no moisture to be had, they till get it from the next best source your skin. When this happens, the ingredient, which is supposed to help your skin retain moisture, instead does the opposite. (Brumberg)
VG & PG are both used commercially as moisturizers and/or "soothers" (as a 'remedy' for coughs & dry/irritated throat & mucous membranes). When applied to the top layer of skin, the humectant actually pulls water from anywhere to itself...that can be from the air OR from deeper down into the skin to itself. This gives the feeling and appearance of the skin being 'moisturized' (which it is, because the top layer of skin in now wetter, due to the VG/PG drawing moisture to itself). BUT, this can easily/actually worsen the problem of 'dry skin', because if the moisture is drawn from deeper in the layers on skin, there'll be less moisture throughout the layers of skin than there was before using the 'moisturizer'.
In fact many people that use 'humectant based' moisturizers actually become 'pseudo addicted' to them. If they stop using them, their skin initially becomes much drier than it was previously - so they think their condition is worsening...so they pile on more 'moisturizer'. Of course, if they stop using them 'for a time', their skin should normalize (assuming they haven't actually damaged their tissue somehow).
Since thus is a known phenomenon, it would certainly be reasonable to assume that vaping with PG/VG could cause moisture to be pulled from the deeper lung tissue - hence drying it out.
Another possible issue? How does PG/VG laying on the surface of our lungs drawing moisture to itself, affect the ability of our lungs to 'process moisture' in the way they would naturally? Obviously the tar from analogs is exceedingly nasty in that regard (on top of limiting our ability to exhale toxic carbon dioxide).
Of course, those of us switching from analogs are going to 'feel' better (since we're switching from sucking down hot tar' to sucking down something that's "soothing"). But that doesn't mean that long-term use isn't going to cause some type of 'drying effect'.
And since no one mentioned all that in the original thread, I wanted to add this information. I certainly hope no one will think I'm some kind of "anti-vaper troll" (I'm just getting started vaping after 20 long years of smoking, and I'm lovin' every vape!). I just think 'more information is better' (especially when it comes to our health).
Peace - out
P.S. If ever I want to comment on a "closed thread", is this what I should do? Or is there a better way? Or was I breaking some kind of a rule to do this?
From this thread (which is now "closed") http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...can-your-lungs-gets-before-having-issues.html ...I would like to add what I feel is integral information.
Yes, it does seem technically possible for vaping to 'dry out' our lungs.
Why?
Because both VG & PG are humectants!
What's a humectant?
Basically, it's any substance or chemical that draws moisture to itself. From here (you can find the same/more detailed information all over the 'net):Saje Natural Wellness | Medical & Natural Glossary | Saje Natural Wellness
Humectant A product which helps the skin retain moisture. The problem with humectants, including propylene glycol and glycerin is that; although they are most effective when you are in areas with high humidity, if you are going to be in an extremely low humidity atmosphere, such as in an airplane or even a dry room, they can actually take moisture from your skin. Heres why: Humectants are on the search for moisture that can be absorbed from the environment. If the environment is so drying that there is no moisture to be had, they till get it from the next best source your skin. When this happens, the ingredient, which is supposed to help your skin retain moisture, instead does the opposite. (Brumberg)
VG & PG are both used commercially as moisturizers and/or "soothers" (as a 'remedy' for coughs & dry/irritated throat & mucous membranes). When applied to the top layer of skin, the humectant actually pulls water from anywhere to itself...that can be from the air OR from deeper down into the skin to itself. This gives the feeling and appearance of the skin being 'moisturized' (which it is, because the top layer of skin in now wetter, due to the VG/PG drawing moisture to itself). BUT, this can easily/actually worsen the problem of 'dry skin', because if the moisture is drawn from deeper in the layers on skin, there'll be less moisture throughout the layers of skin than there was before using the 'moisturizer'.
In fact many people that use 'humectant based' moisturizers actually become 'pseudo addicted' to them. If they stop using them, their skin initially becomes much drier than it was previously - so they think their condition is worsening...so they pile on more 'moisturizer'. Of course, if they stop using them 'for a time', their skin should normalize (assuming they haven't actually damaged their tissue somehow).
Since thus is a known phenomenon, it would certainly be reasonable to assume that vaping with PG/VG could cause moisture to be pulled from the deeper lung tissue - hence drying it out.
Another possible issue? How does PG/VG laying on the surface of our lungs drawing moisture to itself, affect the ability of our lungs to 'process moisture' in the way they would naturally? Obviously the tar from analogs is exceedingly nasty in that regard (on top of limiting our ability to exhale toxic carbon dioxide).
Of course, those of us switching from analogs are going to 'feel' better (since we're switching from sucking down hot tar' to sucking down something that's "soothing"). But that doesn't mean that long-term use isn't going to cause some type of 'drying effect'.
And since no one mentioned all that in the original thread, I wanted to add this information. I certainly hope no one will think I'm some kind of "anti-vaper troll" (I'm just getting started vaping after 20 long years of smoking, and I'm lovin' every vape!). I just think 'more information is better' (especially when it comes to our health).
Peace - out
P.S. If ever I want to comment on a "closed thread", is this what I should do? Or is there a better way? Or was I breaking some kind of a rule to do this?
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