Can Vaping Give You Nicotine Poisoning?

Debates are hot about whether vaping could cause nicotine poisoning.

24 January 2024 | Hannah Rubery

Curious about nicotine poisoning from vaping? Don't worry, it's not as alarming as it may seem. While there are concerns and misconceptions, instances of nicotine poisoning from vaping are actually very rare. This article is here to debunk those myths and give you the facts, so you can make informed choices about your vaping habits. Let's clear up the confusion!

What causes Nicotine Poisoning?

Did you know that nicotine poisoning can occur when the body is exposed to excessive amounts of nicotine? This can happen through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin. It's important to clarify that inhaling pure nicotine or E-Liquid is not the same as inhaling the vapour from E-Cigarettes.

The liquid form of E-Liquid is not safe for consumption. It should only be used for its intended purpose of vaporizing in an E-Cigarette device. Many cases of nicotine poisoning related to vaping are actually due to accidental contact or swallowing nicotine.

How Much Nicotine is too much?

Let's talk about nicotine poisoning and why it's not as straightforward as you might think. The amount of nicotine that can be dangerous varies from person to person, depending on factors like age, weight, and tolerance. Back in 1906, experts believed that a lethal dose for adults was around 50-60 milligrams. But here's the thing - recent research suggests that people can actually handle much higher amounts, like 500mg or more. However, it's important to note that even a small amount of nicotine can be really harmful to a small child.

Here's another interesting titbit: our bodies metabolize nicotine pretty quickly. After just two hours, half of what's in your system will be gone. So in order to reach dangerous levels, you'd have to vape a whole lot of E-Liquid (about 25ml of 20mg juice) in a very short amount of time.

Keep in mind though, nicotine poisoning is still a serious concern, especially for children. So always be mindful of the potential risks and use nicotine products responsibly.

Nicotine Poisoning vs Nicotine Overdose

You might have heard the terms "nicotine poisoning" and "nicotine overdose" being used interchangeably, but they're actually different stages of the same thing. When we say nicotine overdose, we mean having too much nicotine in your body. It's pretty common to experience headaches and nausea when this happens, and your body is basically telling you to take a break from vaping for a bit.

However, if the nicotine level keeps rising without being checked, things can get worse and turn into nicotine poisoning. This is a really serious and potentially fatal stage, where people can experience symptoms like convulsions, respiratory failure, and in extreme cases, death. So it's definitely something to be aware of and take seriously.

Symptoms of Nicotine Poisoning

If you ever experience nicotine poisoning, it's important to recognize the signs so you can get medical attention right away. Here are the most common symptoms to look out for:

- Feeling nauseous and vomiting: Your body is trying to eliminate the excess nicotine.
- Faster heartbeat: Nicotine is a stimulant that can cause your heart rate to rise significantly.
- Abdominal pain: Depending on the amount of nicotine ingested, this can range from mild discomfort to severe pain.
- Intense headache: A persistent and severe headache can be a sign of nicotine poisoning.
- Trouble breathing: If nicotine is affecting your nervous system, you may have difficulty breathing.
- Feeling weak or fatigued: Fighting off the effects of nicotine takes a lot of energy and can leave you feeling weak or tired.
- Confusion or dizziness: In severe cases, these symptoms may occur and indicate a serious problem.

In the most extreme situations, nicotine poisoning can lead to seizures, coma, or even death. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it's crucial to seek immediate medical help.

Can Vaping Cause Nicotine Poisoning?

The chances of getting nicotine poisoning from vaping is thankfully quite low. Let me explain why:

1. Nicotine Content: E-Liquids have a safe nicotine concentration, much lower than the amount that could cause poisoning. For example, most vapes contain 20mg/ml of nicotine and hold 2ml of E-Liquid, that’s about 40mg in total. Even if you absorbed all 40mg (which is unlikely), you would have to vape 25ml of 20mg E-Liquid within 2 hours to reach the lower limit of potential poisoning. That's refilling your device 12 times or using 12.5 disposable vapes in under 2 hours – pretty hard to do and certainly not advisable.
2. Controlled Use: Vaping allows you to control how much nicotine you consume. You can choose the strength of the E-Liquid and keep track of your usage throughout the day. This is very different from uncontrolled exposure or ingestion of nicotine, which is what typically leads to poisoning.
3. Half-Life of Nicotine: Nicotine stays in our bodies for about 2 hours. During this time, our liver breaks it down and eliminates it. So, even if you were to vape a lot, the levels of nicotine in your blood would decrease by half within two hours, making it really hard to reach poisoning levels.
4. Self-Regulating Mechanisms: Our bodies have ways of telling us when we've had too much nicotine. You might experience symptoms like headache, nausea, or dizziness, which are signs that you need to take a break from vaping.

So, here's the deal: getting nicotine poisoning from vaping is pretty unlikely, especially in everyday situations. But, just like with anything else, it's crucial to be responsible. Pay attention to how much and how strong your E-Liquid is.

E-Liquids come with warnings to remind you to be careful with spills, accidental consumption, and how to properly dispose of nicotine-containing E-Liquid. If you're concerned about any possible side effects, it's always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional. Better safe than sorry!