PG versus VG

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orachel

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You'll get a lot of differing answers on this topic, and some people get pretty worked up over it. Now, just to be clear, the following is MY opinion, and I don't want to push it on anyone else. ;) I vaped primarily PG for about a year and a half. I'd done some research, and they both seemed about the same to me, healthwise. It was my understanding at that point that they were both had virtually the same effect on the human body, which is to say a negligible effect. My juices were usually 70% PG/30% VG or something along those lines. It was great, helped me kick an 18 year pack / pack and a half a day habit. Yay! But then about six months ago I started to notice I was VERY thirsty, all the time. I was slugging back about 8 16oz bottles of water a day... like camel girl! lol Then I started to notice some weird skin type symptoms. I had no idea the cause, and I have really severe fibromyalgia and some other health ick, so I just wrote it off as weirdo symptoms.

About a month ago, I stumbled onto an article that mentioned one of the side effects of Propylene Glycol (and they were talking about only a topical application of a little PG in hand lotions) was extreme thirstiness. Huh? What's this? So that got me doing some in depth research. I've got a lot of chemical sensitivities, so I try to be as careful as possible. I checked Natural Health Information Articles and Health Newsletter by Dr. Joseph Mercola, as he's considered the highest authority when it comes to natural health and wellness stuff. I found this article...

Now They are Trying to Sell You Diet Water

This is the bit in that article about PG and artificial sweeteners...
______________________________________________________
"Basically, this is a scary mixture of TWO artificial sweeteners, THREE dyes, one preservative, and propylene glycol (PG)—a solvent that can potentially result in cell mutations and skin, liver, and kidney damage, if ingested in high enough amounts. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates propylene glycol as a moderate hazard.

Artificial sweeteners are bad news for your health (they can lead to impaired kidney function, depression, headaches, infertility, brain tumors, and a long list of other serious health problems) and are unnecessary food additives—because there are SAFE natural sweetener alternatives. This is such a huge issue that I wrote a book about it called Sweet Deception."
______________________________________________________

Now just to be clear, I've done more research since then, and it seems that the general consensus is that the phrase 'ingested in high enough amounts' says a whole lot when you're talking about PG. It seems, based on a number of studies, that 'high enough amounts' of PG to constitute a risk would be near impossible to get from vaping. However, like I said, I try to be careful about what I put in my body, and I was having negative side effects from PG. Not to mention the fact that I'd completely cut out artificial sweeteners (except truvia) about 3 years ago, but totally forgot to consider that most ejuice is made with artificial flavors and sweeteners. So... I decided to switch to VG. I was lucky enough to encounter a REALLY helpful member here, Tyleris12, who mentioned a vendor who does VG juices with no artificial sweeteners or flavors...they're all 100% organic. I was luckier still that Annette, the fabulous woman who makes these juices, is so good at it that her 100% VG juices are nice and thin, almost perfectly clear, and tasted better and more realistic than any other juices I've tried. So, for me it was a no brainer... 100% organic juice, made with 100% VG, tastier than any I've tried, and won't clog up my cartos and attys. That's Virgin Vapor, btw. Here's a thread talking about her stuff if you're interested...

aack! gave wrong link first time.. here's the right one! Sorry!
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...gin-vapor-organically-flavored-e-liquids.html

Now, as a general rule, PG juices have stronger flavor, more intense throat hit, and are thinner in consistency. VG juices usually have less flavor, make more vapor, and tend to be a little bit thicker.

So that's why lots of people combine the two for a mix (70/30 or 50/50 are very popular mixes). I love the straight VG juices I've found, get amazing flavor, and they're thin and clear, so I'm really happy with them. I've had straight VG juices from other vendors that are viscous, almost gooey, and virtually tasteless.

That's my experience/research and what I came up with on the VG/PG controversy. I think everyone has to sort of figure out what's best for them on their own. I will say that a small percentage of population of vapers are flat out allergic to PG, but then I've heard of reactions to VG also. You just sorta have to try and see what works for you.

So I hope that epic book i wrote gives you some info that you find useful. I tried a ton of juices before I found any that were really great... hoping you find some good ones, soon! But just to be clear, this is only one person's opinion. I just wanted to post that snippet from Mercola.com because I'd done a considerable amount of research and hadn't found it when i first started vaping. Always best to have as much info as possible, with anything. Good luck! Happy vaping!
 
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MsTick

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On the other hand, PG has been extensively tested in situations where the vapor is inhaled, and for many years, and is considered safe. Inhaling VG is a newer phenomenon and doesn't have the testing to confirm it's presumed safety.

That being said, I vape either 100% VG or maximum 20% PG liquids. PG is just too harsh. I don't get sick, but I don't enjoy vaping PG.

The reality is that vaping is new. No one ever inhaled this much vaporized PG or VG every day for years before. If there are long-term consequences, they haven't had time to be discovered yet. But we all know the consequences of smoking, and it makes sense to me that this can't be as dangerous as inhaling all the crud that's in tobacco smoke. The short answer is that there are arguments for both sides of the PG/VG debate, and no clear answer. I've been vaping VG for 7 months. I look and feel better than I did when I smoked, so I think it's a good thing for me at this time. Listen to your own body and see how you feel when you try different juices.
 

nopatch

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As per the current medical knowledge it is not Healthy to inhale anything other than Air :laugh:.

There are some old studies with regards to Inhaling PG at low concentrations and the results indicate that PG is Nontoxic.One study clears PG usage at low concentrations while another one indicates Nasal hemorrhaging.Virtually no studies exists for VG, but aqueous Vg is comparatively easy on mucous membranes.
 

swedishfish

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VG of course, because it has the word vegetable in it.:laugh:

I don't think one is healthier than the other. Everyone has their own personal preferences and one may be better for that person than the other.

For me, PG makes me feel better. A bit harsher on the throat but I get an extremely heavy feeling in my chest from too much VG. I run and a couple people in the Health section that run said the same thing. It is more dense, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.

One isn't better or healther than the other, just a matter of personal preference.
 

orachel

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Gosh, I only know the ones I've heard of. I know there's a health forum area here where all the hard data is listed. I'd definitely check that out. Only things I've heard of are a tight chest feeling, slightly labored breathing, little cough, thirstiness (that was me), and i've heard a few people say it affected their skin, like made them get rashes or break out. But keep in mind its a very small percentage of people who have ANY symptoms like that, from what I've heard. The vast majority of people don't have any negative affects from pg or vg. Hopefully someone better informed than me will come along and give you a better answer. But if you've got any questions, go peek in the health/medical forum area. Let me see if I can find a link for you...

Here's the forum to read medical research (but this isn't for asking about personal health stuff)...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/medical-research/

and here's the one to ask questions specific to health issues with ecigs...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/health-safety-e-smoking/
 
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Nikkita6

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Gosh, I only know the ones I've heard of. I know there's a health forum area here where all the hard data is listed. I'd definitely check that out. Only things I've heard of are a tight chest feeling, slightly labored breathing, little cough, thirstiness (that was me), and i've heard a few people say it affected their skin, like made them get rashes or break out. But keep in mind its a very small percentage of people who have ANY symptoms like that, from what I've heard. The vast majority of people don't have any negative affects from pg or vg. Hopefully someone better informed than me will come along and give you a better answer. But if you've got any questions, go peek in the health/medical forum area. Let me see if I can find a link for you...

Here's the forum to read medical research (but this isn't for asking about personal health stuff)...
Medical Research

and here's the one to ask questions specific to health issues with ecigs...
Health, Safety and E-Smoking

Thank you so much for the helpful info and links ... awesome! I am still trying to figure out if I am allergic to PG because the symptoms I do have are not "constant". Sometimes I feel very heavy headed, almost high when I vape, and at other times I feel perfectly fine??

One theory is perhaps I have a "sensitivity", more so than an allergy. When I first started vaping, it was with 100% PG juices only, and now that I have been making my own at either 80/20 or 70/30, I don't feel that super heavy headed, spacey thing :p ...

So again thanks for the info and help answering this question :)
 

orachel

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Yep, I'd say i'm sensitive to PG, rather than allergic, myself. BTW, just as an aside... but the spacy feeling you're getting... that may very well be PG, but its also possible you're vaping a slightly higher nic than you need to be as well. Or perhaps the nic is ok, but when you're vaping heavily you're getting a little too much? I've just heard a bunch of people say they get that slightly high spaced out thing when they're vaping nic too high for them. Just wanted to mention that in case that was your culprit. ;)

And hey, you're doing better than i am with the figuring out cause of your symptoms! lol It took me a dang year and a half to realize my yuckiness was pg and not just more nonsense related to fibromyalgia. ;)

And you're very very welcome. I was just peeking in that Health Safety and E-smoking forum, and there's all sorts of awesome info in there! Good luck! Feel better!
 
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