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What Is Vegetable Glycerin (VG)?
Particularly in the world of vaping, you’ll see Vegetable Glycerin abbreviated as “VG”. It is taken from plants such as coconut oil, soy, palm oil, etc. and is a rather viscous liquid. It is not uncommon to find it in botanical and herbal tinctures as a replacement for alcohol. Vegetable glycerin also shows up in foods, cosmetics, and more. It is an invaluable ingredient in the world of vaping for its ability to mix well with the other ingredients found in e-liquid.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) in Vape Juice
Ordinarily, there are four basic/main ingredients in e-liquid or e-juice: Nicotine, flavoring, water, and either VG (vegetable glycerin) or PG (propylene glycol).
Whatever you prefer to call the liquid with which you vape – e-juices, e-liquids, e-fluids – typically, they contain either PG (propylene glycol) or VG (vegetable glycerin). Since it is odorless and colorless, it is the perfect choice to use in e-juice. It doesn’t affect the color that the manufacturer was going for, the taste, or the aroma. Compared to PG, it is thicker. But VG goes one step further. For vapers that enjoy huge, luxurious, billowy clouds of vapor, vegetable glycerin is the popular choice over PG. Ratios of VG and PG vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Even within a singular manufacturer, ratios can differ from e-juice to e-juice.
Throat Hit vs. Billowy Clouds
E-juice made with VG provide a thick, smooth hit. They are particularly popular with vapers that compete in cloud/vapor forming contests, enjoy fooling around with vapor tricks, or simply love the sensation and look of a smooth, aromatic, thick vapor.
E-liquid that contains PG provides the vaper with more of a “throat hit”; a very distinct back of the throat sensation. For individuals that are taking up vaping in order to give up smoking cigarettes, this is sort of a bonus. The throat hit feels a lot like it did when they smoked actual cigarettes. The higher percentage of PG that is contained within the e-liquid, the more intense the sensation or the throat hit. Read our guide What is Propylene Glycol (PG) for more.
Vegetable Glycerin VG Q & A
What are some popular uses of vegetable glycerin? In addition to e-liquid, cosmetics, and food, it can be found in household items, pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies, soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, and much more.
What are VG’s characteristics? It has a thick, syrupy consistency, an amazingly sweet taste, is odorless, colorless, and clear.
Is vaping vegetable glycerin safe? It doesn’t really matter much whether you use an e-liquid with PG or VG in it. They have both been deemed safe, generally speaking.
Can I replace vegetable glycerin with coconut oil if I make my own e-fluid? Absolutely not! This is an extremely dangerous pursuit and should never be attempted!
Side Effects of VG Vape Juice?
Because vegetable glycerin is found in food products including everything from sauces, soups, and condiments to cereals, pasta, and candy, we can rest assured that it is safe for consumption. In fact, it has been deemed so by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Oddly enough, however, in massive, large amounts it can produce some side effects:
- Most commonly, it can act as a laxative
- Additionally, headache, vomiting, and mild nausea
- Rarer side effects can include irregular heartbeat and confusion
Again, however, you would have to consume excessive amounts in order to experience any of the side effects. If you are allergic to coconut oil, palm oil, etc., you could possibly be allergic to vegetable glycerin as well.