If you're thinking about giving non-nicotine vapes a try, you may be wondering “What is in a nicotine-free vape?”
Have manufacturers replaced nicotine with another addictive substance? Do flavors take front and center instead? Are the ingredients safe? Are nicotine-free vapes really nicotine-free?
All great questions. And we've provided some equally great answers below. So let's dive right in and talk about what’s really in a 0-nicotine vape.
At a glance:
What's in a Nicotine-Free Vape?
While the exact ingredients of no-nicotine vapes may vary from vape to vape, in general, you can expect to find the following ingredients in nearly every nicotine-free vape:
Propylene Glycol and/or Vegetable Glycerin: These two compounds, either individually or together, make up the "base" of most of the vape juice that's in nicotine-free vapes. They're used because they're generally pretty good at carrying the flavors that make vapes appealing.
Propylene Glycol is the compound that's mainly responsible for the "throat hit" sensation you experience when you vape, while vegetable glycerin is mainly responsible for the vapor "cloud."
Flavoring: This is one of the two areas where most vape manufacturers will try to set themselves apart from competitors.
While there's certainly no shortage of standard fruity flavors like strawberry, raspberry, banana, and grape, today's vape companies are getting more and more creative with their flavor combinations.
You'll find nicotine-free vapes in flavors that mimic gummy bears, cotton candy, coffee, caramel, and more.
Oils & extracts: This is a kind of ingredient "sandwich category," because these can be flavorings (as per the category above) or "functional ingredients" like supplements (which would place them in the category below)
They can also fit in neither category, being included simply for their pleasant aromas.
Vitamins, supplements, amino acids, and more: Finally, nicotine-free vapes might include ingredients like Vitamin C or B12, an amino acid like L-theanine, or naturally occurring substances like caffeine or melatonin.
Many non-nicotine vape manufacturers offer single-ingredient vapes — like our MELO, which contains melatonin, or our HELO, which contains caffeine — while others offer vapes that stack complementary ingredients together.
Ripple+, for example, offers a green tea and maca vape that's marketed as an energy booster.
Are Zero Nicotine Vapes Safe?
As an alternative to vapes with nicotine or to tobacco cigarettes, most experts will tell you that a zero-nicotine vape is safer than either of those two options simply because you aren't introducing nicotine into your body during use.
Nicotine is a dangerous compound and can be a contributing factor in everything from high blood pressure and heart disease to strokes.
Beyond that, the ingredient common to almost every vape — the Propylene Glycol and/or Vegetable
Glycerin that serves as the carrier base for other ingredients — is generally considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
But when we start talking about specific additives and flavorings, it's difficult (if not impossible) to make a blanket statement about every vape and say every vape's ingredients are safe.
If you stick with vapes from well-known brands with plenty of reviews, you're probably going to be better off than if you are rolling the dice with a no-name brand or one without much of a reputation.
Should you happen to be allergic to any of the ingredients in a vape, it's not going to be safe for you to use. As always, be sure to read labels carefully so you know exactly what you're getting, and explore any anticipated change to your daily routine with a qualified medical professional.
What are the Side Effects of 0 Nicotine Vapes?
Vapes of any kind, whether they contain nicotine or not, can produce some side effects. Here are a few of the most common ones:
Throat or lung irritation: Even though you're not inhaling nicotine, you're still inhaling a vapor. And if you're sensitive to such things, you could cause some respiratory irritation. Generally, this will involve things like coughing, a scratchy throat, or shortness of breath.
Headaches or dizziness: Headaches will most likely be a problem for you if you happen to be allergic to something in the vape juice you choose, or if you overdo your vaping session a bit and inhale an overly large amount of vapor.
Make sure to know your limits to lessen the likelihood of this happening. And, of course, make sure you're not allergic to anything in the vape juice you select before you take a puff.
Allergic reactions: We've been alluding to this possibility throughout this section, but it bears repeating. If you're allergic to anything in a particular vape, and that includes flavorings or additives, take a pass.
Also in this category would be things you're not necessarily allergic to, but that you know you have a sensitivity to.
Caffeine is one example. If you typically get jittery or experience a rapid heartbeat or headache when you have too much coffee or too many energy drinks, you'll want to stay away from vapes that have caffeine.
Are Zero Nicotine Vapes Addictive?
The point of non-nicotine vapes is that they aren't addictive in the same way that vapes with nicotine are. So you shouldn't develop a true physical dependence on non-nicotine vapes.
However, it’s important to distinguish between a physical addiction to nicotine and the habitual aspect of vaping, no matter the vape's ingredients.
The repetitive act of bringing a vape to your mouth, inhaling and then exhaling, dozens or perhaps hundreds of times every day, can certainly become a habit — although it's psychological, not physical.
While it certainly doesn't pack the same health-affecting punch as a true addiction to nicotine, it is still something to be aware of.
Why do People Choose to Vape without Nicotine?
People might choose to vape without nicotine for several reasons. Here are a few of the more common motivations:
A desire to avoid nicotine: As more and more people become aware of the dangers of nicotine, the trend toward non-nicotine alternatives is growing.
Nicotine by itself is a powerfully addictive substance. Avoiding it and never becoming addicted to it in the first place means you never have to worry about coping with withdrawal symptoms if and when you ultimately decide to quit.
There are also quite a few health problems that have been directly linked to nicotine (see the section “Are Zero Nicotine Vapes Safe?” above for more on that).
Help with smoking cessation: Ceasing smoking cigarettes and the desire to avoid nicotine are the main reasons why most people choose non-nicotine vapes.
Maintaining the hand-to-mouth physical habits associated with smoking, while simultaneously eliminating nicotine dependence is a very popular strategy among people trying to give up cigarettes.
Flavor options and a desire for functional ingredients: We cover this topic in a bit more detail above, but one of the great things about non-nicotine vapes and nicotine-free vape juice is the number of options you have when it comes to flavors and ingredients.
Manufacturers have replaced harmful nicotine with everything from melatonin and caffeine to vitamins and herbs to bring healthier ingredients to the party.
And when it comes to the variety of flavors you have to choose from, nothing beats the unique combinations some vape makers have come up with.
(Note: for more insight into why people choose no-nic vapes, check out our article on Benefits of Vaping without Nicotine.)
What is a Solid Zero Nicotine Vape Brand?
There are several non-nicotine vape brands that we like and recommend.
MELO/HELO
MELO and HELO come from the same manufacturer — us — and are two sides of the same coin. Both are great for nicotine-free vaping, and both fall into the category of functional vapes.
Where these two differ is in the effect they produce. MELO, which contains melatonin, is designed to help you relax. HELO, which contains caffeine, is designed to give you a boost of energy. (MELO also tops our list of Best Vapes without Nicotine for Anxiety.)
Both MELO and HELO are disposables that contain only all-natural ingredients and come in two sizes — Air, which should deliver around 400 inhales, and Plus, which should deliver around 800 inhales.
Our wide variety of popular flavors is sure to please even the most distinguishing palate.
ARRØ
ARRØ is unique in the world of nicotine-free vaping because the company's devices are not just nicotine-free — they’re "everything except flavor" free.
An ARRØ falls into the category of a "flavored air" device. That simply means that the only ingredients you'll find inside, besides its all-natural and organic glycerin base, are organic flavorings.
As for those flavors, you'll find some great ones, like Strawberry Pomegranate Ice, Magic Mint, Hawaiian Ice, Gummy Drop, and more.
Another great thing about ARRØ devices is how long they last. Each ARRØ Max device should be good for around 5,000 puffs.
What is in a Nicotine-Free Vape? Now You Know
We hope this article helps you choose the best nicotineless vapes with confidence.
As always, be sure to read the list of ingredients of any vape you're thinking of trying to make sure you're not allergic or sensitive to what's inside. And give the brands we recommend above a try. You just might find your new favorite!
Hungry for more? Check out our articles on Where to Buy Nicotine Free Vapes, Pros and Cons of Vaping without Nicotine, What is a Nicotine Free Vape?, and is 0 Nicotine Vape Safe? Also, take a gander at our Nicotine Free Vapes Collection page.
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