Illegal vape juices are causing serious lung diseases. While the safety of vaping in general is still up for debate, the black market juices carry serious health risks. Many people use them to get high. If you are using drugs or illegal vapes, individual therapy can help you recover from your addiction.
Vaping Sickness
530 people have recently gotten sick from vaping, and 7 people have died. The illness is similar to pneumonia. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, fever, and fatigue. Respiratory failure can occur, resulting in death. In severe cases, patients have been put on artificial respiration. Cases have escalated quickly, from 8 as of July 25th to 530 on September 19th.
Legal vs. Illegal Juice
Vaping is legal. Vape juices can be purchased from reputable manufacturers. Legal vape juices must undergo testing, and the FDA requires all manufacturers to submit a list of ingredients. These regulations mean that legal vape juices are as safe as possible, and free from contaminants and potentially harmful chemicals.
However, illegal vape juices are made without any restrictions or oversight. They can contain literally anything. There’s no way to tell what is in it.
Why Illegal Vape Juices?
Why do people purchase illegal vape juices instead of their regulated and legal counterparts? Often, it’s because THC vapes are illegal in the states where marijuana isn’t legal. Many people enjoy vaping THC. Some say it provides a better high. Some enjoy the discreet nature of THC vapes. THC vapes were involved in most of the cases of lung illness, suggesting that black market products could be to blame.
Illegal vape juices, whether they have thc or not, are usually cheaper than the legal variety. Legal companies have to follow regulations, which costs money. Juice made illegally can be made, and therefore sold, at a much cheaper rate.
Other Drugs Found in Illegal Juice
Unfortunately, some vapes that are supposed to have CBD turned out to have drugs in them instead. Many of the vapes tested contained synthetic marijuana compounds, commonly called k2 or spice. K2 products were once a popular legal high, but most of the psychoactive compounds that were used in K2 are now illegal. The chemicals have been known to cause paranoia, delusions, kidney failure, and seizures.
In addition to K2, fentanyl was found in some of the vapes. Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that can easily cause an overdose.
Is Vitamin E the Problem?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is commonly found in skincare products and dietary supplements. It is great for your skin and hair, but it could be damaging for your lungs. Lipiod pneumonia is observed in some of the recent cases. Too many fat particles enter the lungs and trigger inflammation. This is an ailment most commonly seen in elderly patients who inhale mineral oils or similar products to soothe their throats.
It is believed that Vitamin E, or other oils used in vape juice, could cause lipoid pneumonia. However, some experts say that the lipoid pneumonia is likely a symptom, and not the cause. They believe it is occurring because another chemical in the juice is causing damage to the lungs.
Can You Make Your Own?
Another issue is people making their own juice. While this isn’t illegal, you must be careful about which ingredients you use. Keep in mind that just because something isn’t considered a hazardous chemical doesn’t mean that it’s safe to vape.
Some people choose to make their own juice so they can create their own flavors, or because it’s cost-effective. Some people do it so they have full control over the ingredients, and thoroughly research the ingredients they use. Keep in mind it’s illegal to make your own vape juice and sell it without the proper licensing.
Help at Crestview Recovery
If you are suffering with an addiction and are using illegal vape juices as a way to get your fix, there are serious risks to your health. If you are battling this or other addictions, Crestview Recovery can help you get your life back on track. Contact us today at 866.262.0531, and begin the recovery process.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
