WHAT IS VAPERS TONGUE AND HOW TO CURE IT?

Table of Contents

• INTRODUCTION TO VAPER'S TONGUE AND HOW TO FIX IT
• WHAT IS VAPERS TONGUE?
• WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION OF VAPER'S TONGUE
• HOW YOUR TASTE WORKS
• WHAT CAUSES VAPER'S TONGUE?
• CHANGES IN YOUR OLFACTORY AND SINUSES
• SMOKING CIGARETTES
• DEHYDRATION
• VAPING THE SAME FLAVOUR
• POOR DENTAL HYGIENE
• DAMAGED TASTE BUDS
• MOUTH DRYNESS
• TASTE DISORDERS
• BLOCKED NOSE
• MEDICINES
• STRESS AND ANXIETY IMPACT ON TASTE
• OLD AND AGING E-LIQUIDS
• WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE VAPERS' TONGUE?
• WHAT ARE THE BEST REMEDIES FOR VAPERS TONGUE
• HYDRATION AND INCREASE WATER INTAKE TO HELP VAPERS TONGUE
• MIX UP AND CHANGE YOUR E-LIQUID FLAVOURS TO HELP VAPERS TONGUE
• IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL HYGIENE
• STOP SMOKING CIGARETTES
• REDUCE CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL INTAKE
• VAPE UNFLAVOURED E-LIQUIDS
• WHAT TO DO IF VAPERS' TONGUE PERSISTS
• WHAT IS VAPERS TONGUE AND HOW TO FIX IT CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Vaper’s Tongue Is Common but Temporary
  A sudden loss of flavour while vaping—known as vaper’s tongue—is a harmless and short-lived issue experienced by many vapers.

• Flavour Fatigue and Dehydration Are Key Triggers
  Overusing the same e-liquid and not drinking enough water are leading causes of vaper’s tongue, along with dry mouth or a recent switch from smoking.

• Simple Fixes Can Restore Your Taste
  Staying hydrated, rotating flavours, brushing your tongue, and taking short vaping breaks can help reset your palate and bring flavours back.

Vaper’s tongue is when you can no longer taste the flavour of your vape! It is essentially when you experience reduced taste perception due to vaping, but there are other possible causes and contributing factors that may be impacting your taste as well.

Whichever vape you are using - the New SMOKO VAPE MAX, for example - it's worth knowing there are several factors that impact the olfactory organs (that's where you experience your sense of taste and smell), from a cold to smoking cigarettes, leading to a similar experience to vaper's tongue.

Dehydration can play a part, as can vaping the same flavour constantly, poor dental hygiene, medication and even stress! For some quick fixes like increasing your water intake, changing up your vape flavour, and improving dental hygiene can go a long way to improving your senses.

INTRODUCTION TO VAPER'S TONGUE AND HOW TO FIX IT

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If you have been vaping for a while or perhaps vaping a bit more than usual (like in lockdown), you may have found that your tongue started to feel a bit numb, or that you couldn’t taste the flavour from your favourite E-Cigarette refill. These are symptoms of a widespread but not serious phenomenon called Vaper’s Tongue (1). Many vapers experience these symptoms, highlighting how common this issue is among e cigarette users.

Many users have shared tips and remedies on forums like Reddit to overcome it, including hydration, changing e-liquid flavour, and using substances like carbonated water, menthol, and even pickle juice!

In this guide to 'What is Vaper’s Tongue and How To Cure It', we will get into the scientific explanation, understand how your taste buds work, the main causes of vaper’s tongue and how best to cure it.

To begin with, our advice is: Don’t worry! This is not a serious or long term issue, but the loss of taste or sense of smell are some of the short term effects from over-vaping.

WHAT IS VAPER'S TONGUE?

Also known as Vaper’s Fatigue, Vaper’s Tongue is a relatively new medical phenomenon that is only found in people using e-cigarettes (which should only be used as a smoking cessation tool (2)) and feels like an extra layer or coating on your tongue that suppresses the vape flavour! A diminished sense of taste is a primary symptom and is linked to chemical exposure from e-cigarette ingredients like nicotine, flavourings, and additives.

It can cover a range of effects from going off your favourite flavour vape juice to muting your sense of taste for all food and drinks.

In both cases, the condition is temporary and will go back to normal over time and by following some of the tricks we will outline below.

WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION FOR LOSS OF TASTE THROUGH E CIGARETTE USE?

Our tongue is the heart and soul of our taste experience in life (3).  It is one of the largest muscles in our body (which is weird right?) and can contain up to 10,000 taste buds.  These taste buds are found on the little bumps on your tongue called papillae.  When you get Vaper’s Tongue, you are temporarily overloading your taste receptors to a specific flavour.

Having enough saliva is essential for taste perception. Inadequate saliva production can impair your ability to taste flavours, as insufficient saliva makes taste buds less effective, thereby impacting your overall taste experience.

HOW YOUR TASTE WORKS

Taste works in a number of ways.  Most people think it is just our tongue and taste buds that allow us to experience the flavours in life.  Our tongues contain five key taste receptors which detect the following flavours:  Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Salty and the more recently recognised Umami (savoury) (4).

Every time you inhale on your vape, your taste receptors are awakened which sends positive (or negative) messages to your brain to let you know you are enjoying what you are vaping. A technique used by professional wine tasters and vapers to reset taste buds is inhaling the scent of fresh coffee beans.

And your taste buds are constantly changing - they can regenerate themselves within 10 to 14 days (5)!

Ingredients in vape juice, such as vegetable glycerin and nicotine strength, can also influence the intensity and quality of the flavours you experience.

But taste also relies on your sense of smell or olfactory senses.  These olfactory senses are two-fold - the main one that recognises particles in the air and the other accessory system which senses fluid-phase stimuli.  If there is a disruption in the olfactory senses and your brain, you can experience a number of smell disorders.  According to Johns Hopkins Medicine (6), these smell disorders are:

1. Anosmia. Loss of sense of smell

2. Ageusia. Loss of sense of taste

3. Hyposmia. Reduced ability to smell

4. Hypogeusia. Reduced ability to taste sweet, sour, bitter, or salty things

So your nose can play a big part in your ability to tell the difference between a Tobacco or Raspberry vape!

WHAT CAUSES VAPER'S TONGUE?

The causes of vapers’ tongue can be attributed to some of the following issues. Lifestyle factors such as dehydration, flavour fatigue, and personal habits can also contribute to the condition. Traditional smoking, while a well-established practice, also comes with its own set of issues, contrasting with the newer trend of vaping.

CHANGES IN YOU OLFACTORY AND SINUSES

Changes in your olfactory from over vaping, a cold or sinus infection, smoking cigarettes, a vitamin deficiency or taking some medication can all impair your sense of taste.  There is a lot going on from the tip of your tongue, to your taste receptors, into your nose and eventually into your brain receptors.  Any slight changes in your olfactory may affect your taste. Understanding these challenges can help users navigate their vaping journey with more confidence and clarity.

SMOKING CIGARETTES

If you have recently stopped smoking or had a few cheeky cigarettes, this can have an impact on your ability to taste your vape!  Many of the chemicals that are found in cigarettes are put there to specifically reduce your ability to taste.  Traditional cigarettes, compared to e-cigarettes, contain more harmful chemicals and additives that can negatively affect both taste and oral health. If you have ever had a week off cigarettes because you had a cold and then you light up your first cigarette, you will definitely notice how disgusting a cigarette tastes.  That’s because your taste buds have started to regenerate and the true taste of cigarettes comes through.

DEHYDRATION

Another potential cause of Vaper’s Tongue is dehydration. The human body is a magnificent thing and is made up of 75% water! When you are vaping, one of the main ingredients Propylene Glycol (PG) is hygroscopic and can bond with the water molecules in your saliva which can lead to dry mouth. If you are vaping a lot, the Propylene Glycol can lead to a dehydrated feeling, dry mouth and even a slight headache.

Having enough saliva is crucial for taste perception, as inadequate saliva production can impair your ability to taste flavours effectively. This is especially important when vaping, as insufficient saliva makes taste buds less effective, impacting your ability to experience of flavour.

So when you are vaping it is important to always drink more water than you normally do.

VAPING THE SAME FLAVOUR

As the old adage goes, you can have too much of a good thing…. Or something like that.  When you are vaping the same flavour, your olfactory sense and taste buds may become less receptive to the intricate or subtle flavours in your e-liquid.  So you can try switching to a completely different flavour for a few days to give the taste buds a rest.

POOR vs GOOD ORAL HYGIENE

This may seem common-sensical, but maintaining good oral hygiene is a crucial preventive measure against vaper's tongue. If you don’t take care of your oral health, your sense of taste can be affected (7).  If you are not brushing your teeth and flossing on a regular basis, you can experience a build of bad bacteria and tarter and can lead to other issues like gum disease and even premature tooth loss.

DAMAGED TASTE BUDS

Another factor in losing your sense of taste could be damaged taste buds.  There are a number of ways in which you can cause damage to your taste buds including an infection, smoking cigarettes, extremely hot and spicy foods, excessive alcohol consumption and some medications.  Age also can affect your taste buds and their ability to regenerate. Damaged taste buds should eventually heal themselves within 10 to 14 days.

DRY MOUTH

Many people who experience Vaper’s Tongue complain about mouth dryness. As mentioned previously, the Propylene Glycol in e-liquids binds with the water in your saliva and can give you the feeling of being parched.

Having enough saliva is crucial for taste perception, as inadequate saliva production can impair your ability to taste flavours. Insufficient saliva makes taste buds less effective, thereby impacting the overall experience of flavour.

TASTE DISORDERS

As we mentioned previously in this guide, there are a number of Taste Disorders that may lead to the loss of taste.  These taste disorders can be caused by an illness (sinus infection or a cold), head injury, exposure to certain chemicals, snorting cocaine, hormone changes and smoking cigarettes.  Some of these can be prevented (stop snorting coke and smoking cigarettes on a night out), some are temporary while others may not be avoided - like a head trauma.  

BLOCKED NOSE

If you are experiencing a cold or even hayfever, you will suffer from a blocked nose.  Your sense of taste is equally reliant on your ability to smell.  When you have a cold, you can hardly taste your food.  It's the same when vaping.  If your nose is blocked, your ability to taste the flavour of your e-cigarette will be significantly reduced.  

MEDICINES

Another reason that you may lose your sense of smell could be some of the medications you may be taking for another medical ailment (8).  Some of medicines that can lead to the loss of taste include: allopurinol, captopril, enalapril, nitroglycerin, diltiazem, dipyridamole, nifedipine, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, lithium, lovastatin, and levodopa.

Taking some of these medicines may lead you to believe that you have Vaper’s tongue but it could just be one of the side effects of your medication.

STRESS AND ANXIETY IMPACT ON SENSE OF TASTE

Stress and anxiety can also have an impact on your ability to taste.  Weirdly, when you have an anxiety attack or increase in stress levels, your taste buds might react.  Additionally, when you are stressed you tend to breathe through your mouth more which can affect your salivary glands or increase oral bacteria. 

Acid Reflux is a common reaction to stress as well.  Vaping while you are stressed may help you calm down, but be aware that the loss of the sense of taste may occur for a number of these reasons.  

OLD AND AGING E-LIQUIDS

Another potential loss of flavour in your e-liquids could be the age.  Unlike a bottle of fine red wine, vape juice does not get better with age.  Most e-liquids, either nic salts or freebase nicotine based juices, have a shelf life and should be used prior to the expiration of the best before date.  At SMOKO E-Cigarettes, our products have a best before date of 2 years from the date of manufacturing.  

We always recommend using your vape refills, cigalike cartridges and e-liquids before the best before date to ensure the best flavour.  

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE VAPERS' TONGUE?

When you experience Vapers’ Tongue (also known as vape tongue) you experience a loss of taste and smell, dryness of the mouth, and possibly a feeling of numbness on your tongue. If you are concerned that your loss of taste is an issue with ongoing deterioration of your olfaction as a result of a new medicine you started taking or after a head trauma, we would recommend speaking with your doctor or try calling the NHS on 119 to seek some medical advice. 

Healthcare practitioners, such as dentists, can help identify underlying health issues related to vaping and provide guidance based on their observations and expertise. However, in 99% of the cases, the following remedies listed below should reverse some of the symptoms you are experiencing.

WHAT ARE THE BEST REMEDIES FOR VAPERS' TONGUE

This list of remedies are simple steps that you should try if you have been using larger vape kits and you have lost your sense of taste. Different vapes and e-liquids can have varying impacts on taste perception. Certain foods and beverages, such as citrus fruits or sparkling water, can help cleanse the palate and refresh taste buds.

Additionally, using a tongue scraper can be a practical solution for vaper’s tongue, as it helps reset the palate by removing residue from the tongue, and can improve bad breath too. Dry mouth is a common side effect of using vapes, so staying hydrated is important when addressing taste disruptions.

HYDRATION AND INCREASE WATER INTAKE TO HELP VAPER'S TONGUE

Drink more water!!  This is the easiest remedy and should be part of anyone’s health diet.  Keeping hydrated will not only replace the water lost through vaping, water is one of the most important things we need to consume to stay healthy and fit.
  

MIX UP AND CHANGE YOUR E-LIQUID FLAVOURS TO HELP VAPER'S TONGUE

Try to mix up the e-liquids that you are using. For many of our customers, they tend to find their favourite e liquid flavour and then stick to it. However, sticking to a single flavour for too long can desensitise your taste buds. If you are experiencing some of the symptoms of Vapers’ Tongue, we would recommend switching from your favourite fruit flavour e-liquid to a mint or menthol flavour e-cigarette for a few days. This change of flavour could be enough to reset your taste buds and help keep you smoke-free.

IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL HYGIENE

Improving your dental hygiene may seem like an obvious remedy, but many people forget to brush their teeth and floss on a regular basis.  This can help to remove bad bacteria in your mouth.  Also try to clean your tongue with a tongue scraper to remove any debris or film that may be covering your taste buds. 

STOP SMOKING CIGARETTES

A common complaint from most smokers is their loss of taste.  As mentioned previously, there are loads of chemicals that are added to cigarettes to mask the true taste (quite a disgusting flavour as we know) of smoking.  Even if you smoke and vape at the same time, cutting out the cigarettes could be a great way to combat vapers' tongue.

It is also worth noting that to get the full benefits from vaping to quit smoking, you need to cut out cigarettes completely.

REDUCE CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL INTAKE

Reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake could also help to improve your sense of taste.  Firstly, both caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate your body and your olfaction. At instances when you are drinking caffeine or alcohol, you are not drinking water.  Most medical professionals recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day.  So try cutting back on your 10 cups of coffee and maybe swap your pints of lager for some water for a day or two, or be sure to hydrate after your morning coffee and beers in the evening!

VAPE UNFLAVOURED E-LIQUIDS

Some people may recommend trying to vape unflavoured e-liquids for a period of time.  However, we feel that if you try many of the other remedies previously mentioned, you may not have to resort to vaping an unflavoured vape juice.

WHAT TO DO IF VAPERS' TONGUE PERSISTS

If your vaper’s tongue persists after you have tried many of the above remedies, you may wish to stop vaping for 10 to 14 days to allow your taste buds to regenerate. Using a nicotine patch will help to satisfy your cravings during this period, or if you want to keep your mouth occupied then try the new SMOKO Sugar-free Nicotine Gum - available in 3 distinct flavours of Mint, Watermelon and Blueberry! If symptoms do not improve, it is recommended to drastically cut e-cigarette use to further support recovery.

If your loss of taste and smell continue, then you may wish to seek medical advice. Healthcare professionals are urging e cigarette users to consult a doctor if symptoms do not resolve.

WHAT IS VAPERS' TONGUE AND HOW TO FIX IT CONCLUSION

There is not much published scientific information available on vaper's tongue, and most knowledge about the condition comes from anecdotal reports and social media. It seems to occur when you vape too much or use the same flavour of e-liquid for a period of time. In most cases it can be easily reversed by trying some of the remedies we have discussed in this guide to Vapers’ Tongue.

If your sense of taste does not return after trying these helpful remedies, we would suggest you stop vaping for a period of time and perhaps speak to your doctor.

Many people who use larger vape mods and open systems may experience Vapers’ Tongue on a more frequent basis due to the extra power and large amount of vapour that they produce. So switching to a smaller vape starter kit may be another great solution and help you to live smoke-free!

If you are looking for ways to manage symptoms, you can explore various treatment options to help address vaper's tongue and related issues.

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FAQ: VAPER'S TONGUE EXPLAINED

1. What is vaper’s tongue?

Vaper’s tongue is a temporary condition where you lose the ability to taste your e-liquid flavours properly. It can feel like your taste buds are "numb" or muted, especially after prolonged vaping.

2. What causes vaper’s tongue?

Common causes include flavour fatigue (overuse of one flavour), dehydration, smoking history, a dry mouth, or even certain medications and illnesses.

3. How long does vaper’s tongue last?

It usually lasts a few hours to a few days, but in rare cases, it can persist for up to a week. The good news: it’s temporary and treatable.

4. How can I fix vaper’s tongue?

Stay hydrated, switch flavours regularly, brush your tongue, and take short breaks from vaping if needed. Smelling fresh coffee beans can also help "reset" your sense of smell.

5. Can changing e-liquids help?

Yes! Rotating between different flavour profiles—especially switching from sweet to minty or citrus—can refresh your palate and reduce flavour fatigue.

REFERENCES 

(1) Vape Tongue: E-Cigs Lead to People Losing Sense of Taste

(2) Using E-Cigarettes to Stop Smoking

(3) Structure and variability in human tongue muscle anatomy

(4) Cleveland Clinic: Taste Buds

(5) 7 Reasons Your Taste Buds Can Change

(6) Johns Hopkins Medicine: Health: Smell and Taste Disorders

(7) Today's Dentistry: Bad Taste/ Breath Question