SYMPTOMS OF VAPING TOO MUCH - NICOTINE OVERDOSE

Table of Contents

• WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VAPING TOO MUCH - NICOTINE OVERDOSE?
• WHAT IS NICOTINE IN VAPING?
• WHAT IS NICOTINE POISONING?
• WHO IS MOST AT RISK OF NICOTINE POISONING?
• WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NICOTINE POISONING?
• WHAT CAUSES NIC SICK?
• THE DANGERS OF LIQUID NICOTINE
• WHAT TYPES OF POISONS AND CHEMICALS ARE IN CIGARETTES?
• CAN YOU GET NICOTINE POISONING BY VAPING TOO MUCH?
• WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE VAPING?
• WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF INGESTING NICOTINE AND VAPING TOO MUCH?
• WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF VAPING TOO MUCH?
• WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF GETTING NICOTINE ON YOUR SKIN?
• ARE ALL ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES THE SAME?
• TREATMENT FOR NICOTINE POISONING
• PREVENTION OF NICOTINE POISONING
• WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU ARE VAPING TOO MUCH?
• SYMPTOMS OF VAPING TOO MUCH - NICOTINE OVERDOSING - CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

Vaping can cause a nicotine overdose, but in the UK the maximum available strength for retail e-liquids is a 2.0% strength. This is 20mg nicotine per ml of liquid, indicating that you would need to use over 50 SMOKO E-Cigarette refills to get close to consuming 50mg of nicotine (approaching the deadly dose) but you will likely experience nicotine poisoning symptoms way before this which will prevent you consuming more. Additionally, nicotine poisoning can also result from the accidental ingestion of nicotine containing plants, which highlights the importance of being cautious with all nicotine products!

 

The symptoms of nicotine poisoning depend on the amount you inhale and there are a number of side effects of vaping (2) that you can look for when you think you have overdosed on nicotine poisoning. Nicotine poisoning can also occur from the accidental ingestion of nicotine containing plants, which underscores the need for caution with all nicotine sources.

Nausea and vomiting

Stomach pain and loss of appetite

Digestive System problems

Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Headache

Mouth-watering

Shortness of Breath

Dry Cough

Dizziness or tremors

Confusion and anxiety et al

Within thirty minutes to four hours later, symptoms can shift and also include:

Shortness of Breath

Slower heartbeat and blood pressure

Dry Mouth

Extreme fatigue

Weakness, slow reflexes, or unable to control muscles

Pale skin

In some very extreme cases when you have inhaled high nicotine levels, some of the side effects and symptoms can include:

Seizures

Coma (3)

Breathing difficulties

Respiratory failure, bronchiolitis obliterans

Here are SMOKO, we would advise that if you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical advice (call 999 UK)

 

In layman’s terms, nic sick (nicotine sickness) refers to non-specific symptoms of overdosing with nicotine. Poisoning of this kind only occurs when nicotine begins to show more side effects.

Nicotine sickness can also result from the accidental ingestion of nicotine containing plants, which are another source of this toxic substance.

The CDC (Centre for Disease Control) state that 50 to 60 milligrams of nicotine is a deadly dose for an adult who weighs around 150 pounds (10 stone, 7 pounds). But the easiest way to calculate this is to work out how much nicotine you’d actually have to vaporise in the space of 30 minutes.

If you decide to select another brand of electronic cigarettes other than SMOKO, then please check the measurements that they place on their refills:

1 SMOKO e cigarette refill = 1ml of nicotine

1 SMOKO vape refill = 2ml of nicotine

This would mean that you would need to inhale 50 e-cigarette refills or 25 Vape refills in the space of 30 minutes to get anywhere close to dangerous levels of nicotine or feel any side effects and experience the symptoms of vaping too much. Realistically, you won’t experience long term health problems, serious injuries or life threatening issues as your body will let you know way before you get to that stage.

Everyone’s body has a way of telling you that it has had enough nicotine (making you feel light headed and nauseous). So after having symptoms like these, the likelihood of you wanting to inhale more of your e-cigarette is very much slim to none.

Nicotine poisoning is most commonly known with regards to the younger cigarette smoker, who are inexperienced with the use of tobacco.

 

THE DANGERS OF LIQUID NICOTINE

Liquid nicotine, commonly found in e-cigarettes and other nicotine products, is a highly concentrated form of nicotine that can be extremely hazardous if ingested or spilled on the skin. Just one teaspoon of liquid nicotine can be fatal to a 26-pound child. The sweet flavours and attractive packaging of these products can make them appealing to children, increasing the risk of accidental ingestion. To prevent such dangers, it’s crucial to store liquid nicotine products securely and use child-resistant packaging. Always handle these products with care to avoid accidental exposure.

Acetone—found in nail polish remover

Acetic acid—an ingredient in hair dye

Ammonia—a common household cleaner

Arsenic—used in rat poison

Benzene—found in rubber cement and petrol

Butane—used in lighter fluid

Cadmium—active component in battery acid

Carbon monoxide—released in car exhaust fumes

Formaldehyde—embalming fluid

Hexamine—found in barbecue lighter fluid

Lead—used in batteries

Naphthalene—an ingredient in mothballs

Methanol—a main component in rocket fuel

Tar—material used for paving roads

Toluene—used to manufacture paint

As discussed before, being able to get nicotine poisoning is nearly impossible, especially if you use an e-cigarette like SMOKO's.  Our electronic cigarette are prefilled with the e-liquid to make it easier and safer for you the customer.

If you do manage to get nicotine poisoning through ingesting large quantities of e-liquids , you will more than likely be given Activated Charcoal at A&E to help absorb the chemicals and this is commonly taken by mouth (5) to treat poisonings.

This drug should be given within the first hour after inhaling all the nicotine as it does not seem to be beneficial if taken after two hours.

“Vaping is a delivery system similar to a nebulizer, which people with asthma or other lung conditions may be familiar with,” says Broderick. “A nebulizer turns liquid medicine into a mist that patients breathe in. It’s a highly effective way of delivering medicine to the lungs”, according to Hopkins Medicine (6).

In an E-Cigarette, the e-liquid (or vape juice) contains the flavour, and this is what is vapourised in your device.  When you smoke an e-cigarette you inhale vapor which consists of 4 ingredients:

Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerine (ingredients found in chewing gum, candy, ice cream, cake mixes and soft drinks), Food flavouring (found in most of our food we now eat) and nicotine – if included (due to its addictive nature, is the only reason that we smoke).

The only chemical that is in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes is nicotine, and this doesn't cause harm unless ingested in high enough quantities. In addition to e-liquids, nicotine can also be ingested from nicotine containing plants, which can be equally hazardous.

If you are vaping juices that contain liquid nicotine, please be aware that if the cartridge is broken, then nicotine can pass through the skin. 

TREATMENT FOR NICOTINE POISONING

If you suspect someone has ingested or come into contact with too much nicotine, immediate medical attention is crucial. A medical service or 999 if the person is experiencing severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Treatment for nicotine poisoning typically involves supportive care, such as monitoring vital signs, administering activated charcoal to absorb the nicotine, and providing oxygen therapy. In severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary to ensure the individual’s safety and recovery.

 

If after reading this article, you feel that you have the determination and drive to kick the habit of smoking, why not try one of our e-cigarette or VAPE starter kits.