We’ve all been there. You change your vape coils, fill your pod/tank with your favourite e-liquid, take a drag and experience a decrease or absence in the flavour of your vape juice. What gives? This is a classic case of vapers tongue. Vapers tongue is a term that is well known in the vaping community and pertains to noticing a difference in taste from your vape juice. We’ll go over some causes of vapers tongue as well as how to avoid it.
HOW YOUR TASTE BUDS WORK?
Your tongue's taste buds are covered with microscopic hair-like membranes called microvilli. The microvilli send messages to the brain about how something tastes. The average person has about 10,000 taste buds that allow us to identify sweet, sour, bitter or salty. The nose also plays an important role in how foods taste as they are connected to the same airway which is also why a stuffy nose can cause a change in how you taste.
CAUSE OF VAPERS TONGUE AND HOW TO AVOID IT?
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Vaping the Same Flavour for Too Long
Vapers tongue can be brought on by vaping the same vape juice flavour for too long. This results in your taste buds getting used to the taste of the vape juice you’re vaping. Change out your vape juice flavours regularly to keep them tasting fresh. Swapping out your vape juice flavours regularly also gives you the ability to try out the wide variety of flavours that vape juices come in. As a general rule, put your vape juices into rotation and try not to vape them more than two weeks without changing your vape juice flavour. -
Blocked Nose
If you’ve got a blocked nose due to a cold or flu, you might notice a decrease in smell and/or your ability to taste. If you’ve got a cold or flu, it’s best to hold off on vaping until you’re better, but if you’re keen on getting a quick fix you could opt for stronger flavours like ice and menthol flavours. Ice and menthol flavoured vapes are more robust in flavour, so if you’re experiencing a decrease in your taste you should be able to taste even the slightest hint of ice and menthol vapes. -
Dehydration
Dehydration can also cause vapers tongue as the saliva produced when we eat, drink or vape helps our brains recognise flavours introduced to our taste buds. Dehydration can also cause an odd taste in the mouth which is caused by a change in the composition of the saliva. If you’re dehydrated, you’ll need to up your fluid intake. The British Nutrition Foundation recommends women to drink at least 2 liters and men 2.5 liters a day to stay hydrated or slightly more if you exercise regularly or if the weather is warm. -
Tongue Injuries
Tongue injuries can also impact the flavour you get from your vape. When your taste buds are damaged it can decrease the potency of flavours your tongue can identify. Not to worry, most tongue injuries heal within 2 weeks. -
Medication
Certain medications can alter and/or decrease in your ability to taste certain profiles and flavours. If you’re having a decreased sense of taste and are taking medications like antibiotics, antiviral, neurologic, cardiac, endocrine, psychotropics, anti-inflammatories or antihistamines, these could be responsible for a decrease in your sense of taste. -
Expired Vape Juice
If your vape juice is expired (yes vape juice does indeed expire!), it can impact the flavour you get from your vape. Vape juice typically has a 2 year shelf life after it’s been opened as the components in vape juice start to slowly break down once exposed to external elements like air and bacteria. If you can’t recall when you last opened your vape juice and it’s been a significant amount of time, it might be time to buy a new bottle.
Have a question about vapers tongue or something else you experience when you vape? Drop us a line by phone or via our online contact form. We would be thrilled to help. At the E-Liquids Superstore, our goal is not only to provide you with quality products for the best prices, but to help propel you in your vaping journey. Brought to you by vapers, for vapers.
References:
1. https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/taste-buds.html#:~:text=Taste%20buds%20have%20very%20sensitive,every%202%20weeks%20or%20so
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2980431/
3. https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthy-sustainable-diets/hydration/?level=Health%20professional#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%2C%20guidance%20is,as%20contributing%20to%20fluid%20intake
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/tongue-burn#complications
