For many people, the whole point of vaping is to get a nicotine hit. Often, they are doing so as a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. If that’s your story, you may be wondering what is in a nicotine-free vape that makes it worth using.
Or maybe you’re wondering what a nicotine-free vape is in the first place. Perhaps you’re considering picking up a zero-nicotine vape for your own use and want to know about the safety of the ingredients used in e-cigarettes.
In this guide, we’ll be going into detail about the contents of vapes and vape juices without nicotine. We’ll talk about the most common ingredients and their safety so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.
Let’s kick things off with a basic run-down on ingredients.
At a glance:
What Is in a Nicotine-Free Vape?
Nicotine-free vape juice generally consists of a liquid base (usually propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin) and e-cigarette flavoring chemicals. However, it may also contain other chemicals and additives.
These additional ingredients are sometimes relatively harmless additives, like water or plant extracts. In other cases, they can be dangerous, toxic chemicals and pose serious health risks.
Are Non-Nicotine Vapes Really Nicotine-Free?
If you’re in the market for a no-nicotine vape, you’re probably wondering: Are nicotine-free vapes really nicotine-free?
Products labeled as nicotine-free may still have trace amounts of nicotine present due to shared manufacturing processes in facilities that produce nicotine vape juice. However, these levels are usually minimal and not intended to produce a noticeable effect. In other words, functionally speaking, non-nicotine vapes are nicotine-free.
Do No Nicotine Vapes Give You a Buzz?
No nicotine vapes do not produce a mental buzz. While they can replicate the hand-to-mouth aspect of the smoking experience, non-nicotine vapes do not have the same pharmacological effects.
Depending on the type of effects you’re looking for, you may be able to get a similar experience using non-nicotine vapes that contain caffeine or other stimulant substances.
In general, though, non-nicotine vapes exist to scratch a different itch than nicotine vapes. They give you some of the same sensations and can help satiate an oral fixation, but they won't give you that nicotine buzz.
Are 0 Nicotine Vapes Harmful?
You might think that because it doesn’t contain the highly addictive substance nicotine, a zero-nicotine vape is perfectly safe. However, that’s not necessarily accurate.
Nicotine-free vaping may be linked to potentially harmful health effects of its own, including dry mouth, gum disease, and persistent cough. The most common base ingredients used in e-liquids — propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine — reach the respiratory tract via e-cigarette vapor condensate, where they can have pro-inflammatory effects.
In addition, lung diseases like vaping-related lipoid pneumonia induced by flavored e-liquids and e-liquid ingredients are not unheard of.
E-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injuries (EVALIs) are predominantly associated with modified vaping devices, especially those containing THC, as well as with vapes containing vitamin E acetate.
Nicotine-free vapes can also contain any number of other additives, many of which offer no research regarding their safety. There is also little research complete on the long-term effects of vaping itself.
Still, when compared to cigarettes and cigarette smoking, vaping appears to be the safer alternative. Being careful about where your nicotine-free vapes come from and what the vape juice inside them contains also helps mitigate the risk involved.
Always, always, always buy your vapes from a respected and known manufacturer, and be careful of third-party products and knockoffs. Stick to authorized retailers, and you should generally be okay.
Why Do People Use Zero Nicotine Vapes?
There are several different reasons one might use a nicotine-free vape as an alternative to smoking or vaping with nicotine.
For one, nicotine-free vapes are great for helping people quit cigarette smoking and escape nicotine addiction. A zero-nicotine vape replicates the habitual, hand-to-mouth aspect of vaping and even the throat hit, which can help satisfy cravings without delivering the harmful effects of nicotine.
You can even choose to reduce nicotine intake incrementally over time by selecting vape pens with progressively lower nicotine strengths rather than trying to stop smoking cold turkey. There are plenty of options out there, making it easy to control your nicotine levels over time for a more comfortable quitting experience.
In fact, for people who vape for anxiety, nicotine-free vaping is a much better option than vaping with nicotine. Nicotine is a stimulant, which means it can make anxiety worse. Nicotine-free vapes provide the soothing aspect of vaping without the stimulation of nicotine.
There are even nicotine-free e-cigarettes containing substances that can reduce anxiety, like melatonin and lavender.
Conversely, there are caffeine vapes that give you a bit of the energy jolt usually associated with nicotine but without the same addictive qualities.
How to Choose a Vape Without Nicotine
An essential part of choosing the safest possible vape without nicotine is keeping the ingredients in mind.
Choose a vape without toxic chemicals like diacetyl, vitamin E acetate, formaldehyde, and acrolein. These ingredients are known to be dangerous, with the potential to cause heart and lung disease.
Look for nicotine-free vapes that heat their vape juice as little as possible to avoid heat damage to the lungs and upper airway. You want something that atomizes effectively without torching the liquid.
Never use modified vaping devices, and be careful where you source your vapes. Ideally, you should acquire devices directly from the manufacturer, not from friends or family.
Be cautious with online sources as well. Don’t purchase from online marketplaces where just about anyone can sell whatever they want. Even brick-and-mortar vape stores and smoke shops may not be safe or reliable sources for vapes.
For more information on choosing the right vape, be sure to take a look at our comprehensive guide to nicotine-free vapes.
What Is a Good Vape Without Nicotine?
We think our ARRØ Max is the best vape without nicotine.
Each disposable vape lasts 5000 puffs before running out, giving you convenience and longevity. And since we designed them with a USB-C rechargeable battery, we’ve been able to keep the ARRØ Max nice and compact despite its long lifespan.
With seven flavor options to choose from, including Magic Mint, Gummy Drop, and Watermelon Aloe Grape, there’s something in our line for everyone.
We’ve written a lot about potentially dangerous ingredients in other vapes, but if you stick with our products, you don’t need to worry about them; the ARRØ Max contains only vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, natural and artificial flavors, and plant extracts. There’s absolutely no diacetyl, formaldehyde, or vitamin E acetate. You should never be left wondering what’s in a nicotine-free vape.
For more great options, check out our online guide to the Best Nicotine Free Vape.
Conclusion
As already explained, there’s little deep research into the general safety of vaping without nicotine. However, carefully choosing a nicotine-free e-cigarette with the right ingredients certainly mitigates the risks involved.
Furthermore, nicotine-free vapes are demonstrably far healthier than traditional smoking methods and can be a helpful tool for people who are quitting smoking tobacco cigarettes.
At the same time, vaping without nicotine can satisfy cravings and replicate the physical experience of vaping with nicotine, but with fewer harmful effects.
ARRØ Max is a safe, reliable alternative to cigarettes or vapes with nicotine. We care about our customers’ well-being and prioritize using only the highest quality ingredients for your safety.