Functional E-Liquids Require Caution
In recent years, functional e-liquids have gradually become a popular product on the market. These e-liquids not only provide a nicotine alternative but also claim to offer various health benefits, such as vitamin e-liquids, melatonin e-liquids, CBD (cannabidiol) e-liquids, and herbal e-liquids. These e-liquids attract many consumers by adding various health-promoting ingredients. However, the safety and efficacy of these functional e-liquids are highly questionable, as many of the added ingredients have not undergone rigorous scientific validation before being hastily launched on the market. Therefore, consumers should exercise caution when choosing and using these products.
First, vitamin e-liquids claim to supplement the body's required vitamins through smoking. This might seem like a convenient way to supplement vitamins, but in reality, vitamins may undergo chemical changes when heated at high temperatures, producing harmful substances. For example, vitamin E acetate, when inhaled, may cause lung damage. This was confirmed in the 2019 outbreak of "e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury" (EVALI), where many cases were linked to e-liquids containing vitamin E acetate. This incident raised widespread public concern about the safety of functional e-liquids.
Second, melatonin e-liquids are products claiming to help improve sleep quality. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, primarily regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Although oral melatonin is considered relatively safe in the short term, its long-term safety has not been fully studied. Inhaling melatonin through e-liquids could potentially have unknown effects on the body. How inhaled melatonin is metabolized and whether it could harm the respiratory system are still unresolved issues. Additionally, the use of melatonin requires precise dosage control, which is difficult to achieve through smoking, possibly leading to overdose and adverse reactions.
CBD e-liquids are another highly discussed type of functional e-liquid. CBD is a compound extracted from the cannabis plant, with potential health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain relief properties. Although CBD has shown some effects in certain medical applications, its safety as an e-liquid additive remains controversial. First, the quality of CBD e-liquids from different brands varies greatly, making it difficult to ensure the content and purity of CBD. Second, CBD might interact with other medications, reducing their efficacy or increasing side effects. More importantly, there is insufficient research to prove the long-term safety of inhaling CBD.
Herbal e-liquids are marketed with natural herbal extracts, claiming various health benefits such as stress relief and immune enhancement. However, herbal extracts might decompose into harmful substances when heated at high temperatures. Moreover, different herbal extracts have complex components, and their interactions and effects on the body are not well understood. Some herbal extracts may have potential toxicity or allergenicity, possibly causing respiratory discomfort or allergic reactions when inhaled.
The rise of functional e-liquids reflects consumers' pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. However, faced with the plethora of functional e-liquid products on the market, consumers should remain rational and vigilant. First, choose products from reputable brands and channels, avoiding purchasing unknown e-liquids. Second, check the product ingredients and label information to understand the sources and contents of the added health-promoting ingredients. More importantly, pay attention to scientific research and the recommendations of authoritative organizations, and do not blindly trust the merchants' promotions and exaggerated health claims.
In conclusion, although functional e-liquids claim to have various health benefits, their safety and efficacy have not been fully verified. Consumers should be cautious when using these products to avoid being misled in their pursuit of health. Only through scientific research and strict regulation can functional e-liquids truly become safe and effective health products.
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