Electronic Cigarettes

What Do Electronic Cigarettes Have To Do With Well-Being?

July 31, 2015 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

Many of you know that Seeds of Wellness’ mission is to improve your overall well-being. We hope the products we sell and services we provide bring you happiness, help decrease your stress and improve your physical body and mental state. So how do electronic cigarettes fit in?

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs and vaping pens, offer an alternative way for people to inhale nicotine without the tar, ash, smell and smoke. The main ingredients in electronic cigarette e-liquids (or e-juice) are water, nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG) and flavoring, which amount to 15 or less ingredients. Compare this to the approximately 600 ingredients in a cigarette. These ingredients create more then 7,000 chemicals after the cigarette is lit.

So far research has shown that e-cigs are healthier than cigarettes. Chemical research of e-cigarettes shows that the e-liquid vapor contain less chemicals than cigarettes and similar or less chemicals to other nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) on the market. The effects of e-cig vapor on cardiovascular and respiratory functions are milder than smoking cigarettes. As for second-hand exposure, bystanders inhale minimal chemicals from electronic cigarette vapors. The main side effects reported by users of e-cigarettes are throat irritation and cough. To read more about the research results visit “Safety evaluation and risk assessment of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: a systematic review”.

However, like most of the things we inhale, electronic cigarettes are not 100% healthy. In a new study of e-cigs, they found that e-juice vapor with and with-out nicotine damages lung cells. Read more at “E-cigarette vapor, even when nicotine-free, found to damage lung cells”. More research needs to be completed to learn the long-term affects of e-liquid vapor on the lungs and other organs of the body.

While e-cigs are not healthy, so far research shows they are healthier than cigarettes. Therefore, when a person switches from cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, they are improving their overall well-being. Since we opened in 2010, several of our customers have completely switched over to e-cigarettes, and we know five of our customers quit nicotine entirely using e-cigs and have not picked up a cigarette or electronic cigarette since they stopped.

If you would like to know more about nicotine and e-liquid and its ingredients, please read our blog posts:

How to Prolong Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries Lifespan

August 1, 2014 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

Lithium-ion batteries are found in laptop computers, cell phones, electronic cigarettes and more. These batteries hold a longer charge and carry a higher voltage than nickel cadmium and alkaline batteries. Unlike lithium batteries, lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable. This makes these batteries the best solution for electronics requiring high energy and long battery life.

Lithium-ion batteries produce energy as ions move between the positive and negative electrodes. As the battery ages its performance decreases due to environmental conditions, discharge/charge cycles and use. As a result, the life of most lithium-ion batteries is 300 to 500 discharge/charge cycles.

Below are tips to help prolong lithium-ion batteries lifespan:

Do’s

Allow partial discharges and charges. Lithium-ion batteries do not have a charge memory like NiCad batteries. Several full discharges in a row put a strain on the battery that reduces its life.
Fully discharge of lithium-ion battery after 30 charges or once a month. A condition called “digital memory” occurs when a battery has continuous partial discharges. By recharging the battery after it has reached the discharge “cut-off” point, the power gauge is recalibrated to show the correct discharge life on the fuel gauge in the electronic.
Unplug the battery when it is fully charged. By leaving it plugged in once it is fully charged, the battery health degrades because the charger may continues to try to charge the battery even when it is at 100%. Read the battery manual to be sure the charger stops charging after the battery is full if you want to keep it on the charger overnight.

Don’ts

Expose to extreme heat for long periods of time. For instance – left inside the car during warm temperatures, stored near a heating vent, setting out in the sun for long periods of time, etc. Heat is the number one reason for shortened lithium-ion battery lifespan.
Store or charge in areas of high humidity. It is not recommended that you have your cell phone in the bathroom while you shower or charge the electronic near the laundry area. Water can get inside the battery and reduce the lifespan.
Continue using a lithium-ion when it is at the “cut-off” point. When you completely discharge a lithium-ion battery beyond the “cut-off” point, a safety circuit in the battery is activated, and it will not charge using the original charger.
Fully discharge the battery frequently because it puts a strain on the battery and shortens the amount of time it holds a charge.
Store the battery for a long period of time at a 100% charge because the oxidation of the battery is at its highest rate. Instead store the battery with a 50%-40% discharge in a dark cool location.
Use a charger that did not come with the battery. Lithium-ion batteries require a specific charge rate and voltage to avoid damaging or overcharging the battery.
Charge to 100% all the time. Lithium-ion batteries retain a longer lifespan when charged between 40% and 80% on a regular basis.

Most lithium-ion batteries are partially charged at the factory. Make sure you read the manual for the electronic for initial charging instructions. For example, some manufacturers tell you to place the electronic on the charger for 24 hours before the first use. Some electronic cigarette lithium-ion battery instructions say to use the battery until it indicates that it needs to be charge. Premium Vapes recommend fully charging the battery for 3-5 hours the first time it is charged to receive optimal battery life. After the initial charge, Premium Vapes does not recommend leaving the battery on the charger for long periods of time or overnight.

If you would like more information about electronic cigarettes, please visit Seeds of Wellness’ electronic cigarette product web page.

Difference Between PG and VG E-Liquids

May 31, 2014 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

Most e-juices or e-liquids contain PG (propylene glycol), VG (vegetable glycerin), water, nicotine and food grade flavorings. There are several flavors of e-liquids to choose from, but there are also different blends of PG and VG on the market. Do you know the difference?

What is PG and VG?

PG, Propylene Glycol, is a slightly syrupy clear and colorless liquid that has little odor or taste. It is a FDA approved chemical used in a wide variety of products for more than 50 years including cough syrup, cookies, cigarettes, beer, shampoo, cosmetics, fog machines and asthma inhalers. Used as a stabilizer, PG holds things together, keeps items from evaporating and helps food stay moist. When PG is in the body, it is quickly converted to lactic acid, similar to sugar and eliminated through our urine. Clear here to learn more.

VG, Vegetable Glycerin or Vegetable Glycol, is a thicker liquid than PG, derived from plant oils (commonly soy, coconut and palm) and has a slight sweet taste. VG is also FDA approved and found in skin care products, pet food, bake goods, medication and dental products. Also, VG can be used as a sugar substitute. When in the body, VG quickly metabolizes into CO2 and H2O.

Why are PG and VG in electronic cigarettes?

Both PG and VG hold the nicotine and food grade flavors similar to the way carrier (cooking) oils hold herbs and essential oils. When the e-liquid is heated, the food grade flavorings and nicotine are released into the vapor. Most e-juices contain both PG and VG in varying amounts to get the benefits of both liquids. Some flavorings used in e-liquids contain PG as a carrier liquid before being added to the e-juice.

In electronic cigarettes, PG increases the boiling point of the water in the e-liquid, so the amount of heat needed to convert the water into a vapor is less than the heat needed to burn a cigarette. Due to the lack of flavor in PG, the flavorings added to it are not affected by the PG liquid, resulting in a stronger flavored e-liquid than VG based e-juices. Also, the thinness of PG makes it easier to draw the e-liquid into the wicks or polyfill fabric of the cartridge, and the e-juice doesn’t buildup on the heating coil as quickly as VG. The main affect of PG that most e-cig users enjoy is the strong throat hit that is similar to smoking a cigarette. Also, PG produces a less dense vapor cloud than VG.

Research since the 1940’s has found PG to be safe when inhaled. The most common side effects from inhaling PG are sore throat, increased thirst and dry mouth. These side effects usually last for a couple of days to a week as the body gets use to PG. However, there are rare cases of allergic reactions to PG.

Source: Misthub.com

Unlike PG, vaping VG results in less of a throat hit and produces a denser vapor cloud. The sweetness of VG dilutes the food grade flavorings and causes the e-juice to have a sweeter taste. However, due to the thickness of e-liquid, VG does buildup on the heating coils faster than PG e-juices, which reduces the life of the atomizers and heating coils. The thickness of VG requires high temperatures to convert the liquid to a vapor resulting in a shorter battery life and longer time for the e-liquid to be absorbed by the wicking materials.

Side affects to inhaling VG are similar to PG, but VG is hypo-allergenic and non-carcinogenic. If your throat is irritated when using PG based e-liquids, it is suggested that you change to a higher ratio of VG to PG based e-juice.

Not all e-liquids tell you the ratio of PG to VG in there bottles. This is due to slight ratio changes with the increase in nicotine and food grade flavorings, and/or the company wanting to keep their blend information secret from their competitors. However, you can always ask if the e-juice is PG or VG based.

Seeds of Wellness carries American made e-liquids by eVo and DuraSmoke to offer our customers both a PG and VG based e-juice. DuraSmoke offers VG based and 50/50 blend e-juices while eVo e-liquids are all PG based. Call or stop in to learn more.

Nicotine – Good or Bad?

May 8, 2014 By Seeds of Wellness 2 Comments

For years the media, doctors, anti-smoking groups, the FDA, etc. have been telling us that nicotine is bad for us and addictive. But is nicotine the problem?

What does it mean to be addicted to something? According to the Merriam-Webster definition, addiction is the “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.” However, there is not a scientifically accepted definition for addition.

When it comes to nicotine, some people can stop and start the use of it without any problems. On the other hand, some people crave nicotine once they start using it and are unable to stop using it without difficulties. The same can be said for alcohol and many other medications. So is nicotine harmful?

Science has found that the effects of nicotine are similar to caffeine. The evidence that nicotine substantially increases the risk of cancer does not exist. As for cardiovascular disease the risk is minimal. So what is the problem?

The smoke is the enemy of nicotine. The cigarette smoke is that bad part of the cigarette, not the nicotine. This is the reason why the smokeless tobacco alternatives like the Patch, the Nicotine Inhaler, etc. have a lower health risk than cigarettes. Scientific evidence shows that long term users of nicotine without the smoke suffered few medical problems than cigarette users.

Like many chemicals too much nicotine can be fatal. However, users are very rarely exposed to pure nicotine or large dosages of it at one time. Nicotine does have its benefits as well. For some people it helps relief stress, anxiety or panic. Others ability to focus improves resulting in increased productivity.

Learn how you can intact nicotine without the smoke. Go to our web page to learn about electronic cigarettes.

To learn more about nicotine visit “All about Nicotine (and Addiction)” by TobaccoHarmReduction.org, which was used as a resource for this blog.

E-liquid Guidelines and Safety

March 7, 2014 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

With the increased popularity of electronic cigarettes, the sale of e-liquid or e-juice has also increased. Many electronic cigarette brands sell pre-filled e-liquid cartridges for customer safety and ease of use. However, many people purchase e-liquid separately for more control over what they are inhaling and to decrease the cost of using electronic cigarettes.

What Is E-liquid?

E-liquid is a nicotine based liquid that carries nicotine to the user of an electronic cigarette when the liquid is heated. This liquid is contained in pre-filled cartridges or purchased in bottles. All e-liquid contains the following components:

Nicotine: natural addictive chemical released from tobacco leaves. The nicotine is distilled from the leaves to produce the highest purity levels.
Flavoring: when nicotine is removed from the tobacco leaves, there is no longer any flavor to the nicotine, so flavor needs to be added to the nicotine liquid. E-liquid comes in a wide variety of flavors usually made with the same flavorings used in foods and candies.
Diluents: these additives dilute the nicotine and flavor mixture to reach the strength desired. The diluents also produce the vapor that transports the nicotine and flavor to the electronic cigarette user. The most common diluents are water, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Both food-grade PG and VG are common food and pharmaceutical additives. E-liquids may contain only PG, only VG or a combination of the two.

E-liquid brands vary in flavor, consistency, throat hit (sensation felt at the back of the throat) and nicotine concentration.

Dangers of Liquid Nicotine

Most e-liquid contains liquid nicotine. Below is a list of dangers cause by nicotine, especially in liquid form*:

Classified as a poison
Absorbed into the body when swallowed, inhaled or comes into contact with the skin
Addictive chemical
Effects the nervous system and the heart
Combustible when exposed to heat or flames
Increases heart rate and blood pressure
Irritation and redness of the eyes when exposed to vapor
Causes vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, headache, confusion during early stage of nicotine poisoning (Call 911 if these symptoms occur before symptoms become more severe
Irritation and redness to the skin)
Cause death after severe exposure

* Read more about nicotine dangers and emergency response safety.

E-liquid Handling Guidelines

When using e-liquid, handle with care and keep in mind these guidelines:

Keep cartridges and e-liquid bottles away from children and animals at all times**
Lock up bottles and cartridges when not in use if children come into or live in your home**
Do not let anyone under the age of 18 handle e-liquid
Do not drink, ingest, eat, swallow, taste, inject or soak you skin in e-liquid
Wear non porous gloves if possible when handling e-liquid
Never allow the e-liquid to touch your skin because the nicotine will be absorbed by your skin
Wash skin immediately with soap and water for several minutes when e-liquid comes in contact with your skin and contract poison control
Keep e-liquid away from direct sunlight, heat and fire because many of its ingredients are highly flammable
Store e-liquid in a cool, dry and dark place to retain flavor and prevent spoilage of the ingredients
Clean up spills wearing non porous gloves and dispose of contaminated materials properly
Treat e-liquid contaminated items as toxic waste and contact your local authority for proper disposal of items

Note: We do not guarantee your safety even if you follow these guidelines.

**A small amount of e-liquid can cause severe harm, health issues or death to children and animals. Seek medical assistance immediately if ingested by a child or animal.

There are many places online to purchase e-liquid made overseas and in the USA. Some bottles come in child resistant packaging with warnings on the label. Please be sure follow the guidelines above when handling e-liquid and do not leave it inside your car during hot weather.

Seeds of Wellness carries DuraSmoke e-juice, Hold Fast e-liquid and Seeds of Wellness e-juice, high quality American made e-liquids. The plastic bottles are child resistant and Batch Code Tracking for safety. Go to our web page to learn more about Seeds of Wellness e-juice, Hold Fast E-liquids and DuraSmoke e-juice.

Cleaning Your Electronic Cigarette Battery

December 26, 2013 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

Have you looked at your electronic cigarette battery lately? If you have been using your electronic cigarette for several weeks and noticed you are not receiving the same performance from it that you did when you first got the kit, you may need to clean any build up that may have occurred on the end of the battery.

Seeds of Wellness and Premium Vapes electronic cigarettes suggest that you clean the battery occasionally to ensure it is working properly. You will need rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to clean your battery. Follow these steps when cleaning your battery:

Hold the battery upright (with the LED light pointing up) to ensure no alcohol goes inside the battery
Dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol
Squeeze the Q-tip to remove the excess liquid
Gently rub the threads at the bottom of the battery to help remove build-up
Look for the 2 tiny holes under the threads
Gently poke through the holes to remove any build-up to increase the airflow

You can purchase a cleaning kit for $1.00 at Seeds of Wellness. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 440-933-7733.

Learn more about electronic cigarettes on our Electronic Cigarette products page.