Side Effects Of Vaping Without Nicotine, Juice Vs Weed Vs CBD, More

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HealthlineSubscribeVaping Without Nicotine: Are There Still Side Effects?

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Clements, MD, MSEd, NBHWC — Written by Carly Vandergriendt — Updated on October 21, 2023

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Nicotine-free fluids may seem safer than nicotine-based products, but side effects are still possible. Your individual risk ultimately depends on the product’s base fluid, flavoring, and other ingredients.

We still don’t know much about vaping and e-cigarette use. Research into short- and long-term effects is ongoing.

That said, it’s clear that vaping has side effects, regardless of whether the vape fluid contains nicotine. Here’s what we currently know about the side effects of vaping different fluids.

What are the side effects of vaping nicotine-free fluids?

Irritation

When heated, components in vape juice may irritate the mouth and airways.

One 2015 study found that one puff from a nicotine-free shisha pen contained enough propylene glycol and glycerol, two common base liquids, to cause irritation.

When vaporized, these substances may potentially form cancer-causing compounds.

Inflammation

Nicotine-free vaping also appears to trigger an immune system response. One 2018 in-vitro study found that exposure can cause an inflammatory response in immune system cells.

An inflammatory response that may be most prominent with vaping is within the lungs or throat. Heavy use of vaporizers could cause an inflammatory response throughout the body.

Another 2018 in-vitro study concluded that exposure to e-juice flavoring compounds may activate an inflammatory response in certain white blood cells. This can affect how these cells work within your immune system.

Toxicity

In addition, nicotine-free e-cigarette liquid may be toxic to cells.

The same 2018 in-vitro study found that exposure to e-cigarette vapor led to cell death even when nicotine wasn’t present. The affected cells reside in the lungs and are meant to defend your body against toxins, infectious particles, and allergens in the air you breathe.

A third 2018 in-vitro study found that exposure to flavoring additives in e-cigarettes can harm blood vessel cells in the heart, which are known to play a role in long-term heart health.

The death of these cells can lead to vascular conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

How does this compare to vaping nicotine-based fluids?

There’s a substantial amount of research documenting the harmful effects of nicotine, though most studies focus on nicotine exposure from smoking tobacco.

For example, nicotine use can increase your risk of respiratory, heart, and digestive illnesses. It’s also associated with a weakened immune system and a decline in overall reproductive health.

Nicotine has cancer-causing properties. It’s also addictive.

Although research is limited, some studies have compared the effects of nicotine-free e-cigarettes and those that contain nicotine.

A smaller 2015 study of 20 participants compared the 24-hour effects of using a nicotine-free e-cigarette among participants who smoked cigarettes and participants who previously abstained from cigarettes or vaping.

One 2015 study found that people who used e-cigarettes containing nicotine reported greater dependence than those who used nicotine-free e-cigarettes.

The researchers reported no immediate change in lung function among the participants who previously abstained. They reported a small negative effect on lung function among participants who smoked cigarettes.

In addition, one 2018 study found that vaping fluids with nicotine caused a significant increase in blood pressure. This increase lasted for about 45 minutes after vaping.

How do the effects of vaping compare to the effects of smoking cigarettes?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that smoking cigarettes has wide-ranging negative effects on health, including increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable deaths in the United States.

Vaping nicotine-free fluids may be associated with fewer health risks than smoking cigarettes. However, it’s important to recognize that there are risks associated with both nicotine-free and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes.

Some people use vaping as a tool to quit smoking cigarettes.

If you don’t currently smoke cigarettes, vaping might increase — rather than decrease — your overall risk of adverse effects.

Does the fluid flavor have an impact?

Certain vape fluid flavors are associated with harmful side effects. In one 2016 study, researchers tested 51 different vape juice flavors for three potentially harmful chemicals:

diacetyl
acetylpropionyl (2,3-pentanedione)
acetoin

They found one or more of these chemicals in 92 percent of the flavors tested. In addition, 39 of the 51 flavors tested contained a concentration of diacetyl that was over the laboratory limit.

Diacetyl is used in buttery or creamy flavors. When inhaled, it’s associated with serious respiratory illnesses.

In a 2018 study, researchers found that cinnamaldehyde, or cinnamon flavoring, had the most significant toxic effects on white blood cells.

O-vanillin (vanilla) and pentanedione (honey) also had significant toxic effects at the cellular level.

Are there certain ingredients to avoid?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates vaping devices and liquids, including those that don’t contain nicotine.

Manufacturers must include a warning label on all products containing nicotine.

Some potentially harmful flavoring chemicals found in vape fluids, in addition to the ones mentioned above, include:

acrolein
acrylamide
acrylonitrile
benzaldehyde
citral
crotonaldehyde
ethylvanillin
eucalyptol
formaldehyde
propylene oxide
pulegone
vanillin

Manufacturers aren’t required to provide consumers with a list of e-liquid ingredients, which can make it hard to know which products to avoid.

You may find it easier to avoid flavors that are frequently associated with respiratory irritants. This includes:

almond
bread
burnt
berry
camphor
caramel
chocolate
cinnamon
clove
coffee
cotton candy
creamy
fruity
herbal
jam
nutty
pineapple
powdery
red hot
spicy
sweet
thyme
tomato
tropical
vanilla
woody

What are the effects of vaping cannabis?

Cannabis vaporizers don’t contain nicotine but can still cause side effects. These side effects are generally caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis.

The high associated with vaping cannabis might be stronger than the high that results from traditional toking. Other potential side effects include:

memory impairment
impaired coordination
difficulty problem-solving
sensory and mood changes
nausea
vomiting
increased heart rate

Vaping flavored cannabis oil may also lead to side effects similar to those of nicotine-free e-cigarettes, depending on the fluid’s base and flavoring ingredients.

What are the effects of vaping CBD?

CBD vaporizers don’t contain nicotine but can still cause side effects.

CBD stands for cannabidiol, one of several active ingredients in cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD isn’t psychoactive, which means it doesn’t cause a mental “high.”

While there’s little research on the side effects of vaping CBD, some general side effects — which tend to be mild — of CBD use include:

irritability
fatigue
nausea
diarrhea

Vaping flavored CBD oil may also cause side effects similar to those of nicotine-free e-cigarettes, depending on the fluid’s base and flavoring ingredients.

Is there a difference between vaping and Juuling?

Juuling is another term for vaping. It refers to the use of a particular e-cigarette that looks like a USB key and is popular among young people.

Most Juul products contain nicotine. The side effects described in this article surrounding nicotine also apply to Juuling.

When to consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional

Make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:

persistent dry mouth
loss of taste
chronic coughing
persistent sore throat
bleeding or swollen gums
mouth ulcers or sores that don’t seem to heal
toothache or mouth pain
receding gums

A clinician can assess your symptoms and determine whether they’re the result of vaping or an underlying condition.

Consider consulting a healthcare professional if you’re trying to cut back on smoking or vaping. They can help you understand how to decrease your nicotine intake and ultimately quit altogether.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Chaumont M, et al. (2018). Cardiorespiratory effects of high-temperature electronic cigarettes vaping.https://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/abstract/2018/06001/cardiorespiratory_effects_of_high_temperature.353.aspx
E-cigarettes, vapes, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). (2023).https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/e-cigarettes-vapes-and-other-electronic-nicotine-delivery-systems-ends
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Muthumalage T, et al. (2018). Inflammatory and oxidative responses induced by exposure to commonly used e-cigarette flavoring chemicals and flavored e-liquids without nicotine.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.01130/full
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Medically reviewed by Jennifer Clements, MD, MSEd, NBHWC — Written by Carly Vandergriendt — Updated on October 21, 2023

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