Ever used a “vitamin vape”? It’s no surprise if you haven’t, considering how they’re a relatively new addition to the vape market.

Just as the name suggests, vitamin vapes can provide you with different vitamins by breathing a mist, such as vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, and more. But the burning question remains: Is this a game-changer in wellness or just another fleeting trend with no real benefits? Let's dive in and find out.

What are Vitamin Vapes?

Vitamin vapes--also known as wellness vapes or nutritional supplement diffusers--work similarly to e-cigarettes and vape pens. However, instead of nicotine, CBD, or THC, these devices vaporize vitamins and essential oils. Users can choose which substance best fits their lifestyle, as these vapes come in a variety of options, such as lavender, vitamin B-12, and even hormone melatonin. 

These vapes are characteristically designed for a convenient way to fit supplements into your daily routine. Nevertheless, research surrounding these devices is in its beginning stages, and the vapes may pose harmful side effectssimilar to those associated with vaping nicotine. 

The Case in Favor

Christina Pirello, a health expert and best-selling author, is in favor of vaping vitamins. A vegan, she requires B12 injections each month. Her vitamin vape is a way to supplement in between injections. However, she sees vaping as a possible alternative to B12 shots, since not everyone has access to B12 injections and may prefer the vaping to capsules.

There is no question that vaping vitamins could be convenient. You can do it in the car on the way to work if you don’t have time for a healthy breakfast, for instance. Many people who don’t eat meat need extra vitamins, and there are even some who are on all meat diets and will require vitamin supplements to give them what their diet cannot.

Is it Safe to Vape Vitamins?

Many health experts point out that there is a paucity of data on the topic of the safety and efficacy of heating vitamins and inhaling them. 

The conversation around these vapes exists in two schools of thought:

• These vapes are ineffective
• These vapes can be harmful 

Dr. Albert A. Rizzo, a senior adviser to the American Lung Association, was agnostic on the health benefits of vaping vitamins. "I don't think there is any research that shows these are effective and unfortunately there's no research that shows it's definitely ineffective or harmful – which is what we need for any product that’s vaped or inhaled into the lungs.”

Furthermore, the FDA released a statement warning consumers aboutunproven claimsassociated with vitamin vapes. The article concludes that, because these vapes are generally unstudied and the long-term effects are not fully known, the vape’s impact can range from ineffective toharmful. 

Others take a more skeptical stance. Dr. Eric Presser, a thoracic surgeon and associate professor with the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine stated, “It’s all a marketing ploy since most vitamins are heat sensitive and the amount actually absorbed by the body is negligible.”

Others have pointed out that while vitamins are healthy and essential, heating them in oil can produce new products not present in the original. Inhaling these new substances may not be safe.One study conducted in 2017 concluded that the components used to vaporize the vitamins, such as vegetable glycerine, may break down into harmful chemicals when heated. 

This research is backed by further studies. These harmful chemicals, called reactive carbonyl species, can have anegative impact on lung and airway function. 

There are some reasons to believe that inhaling vitamins simply cannot be effective. In the case of B12, for instance, specific receptors in the stomach are needed to take B12 into the body and make use of it. Inhaling the B12 and going straight for the bloodstream skips this process and most likely renders the B12 worthless for the body.

How do vitamin vapes work?

Vitamin vapes work similarly to traditional e-cigarettes or vapes, but instead of nicotine or flavorings, they contain a liquid vitamin solution. When you take a puff, the device heats this liquid, transforming it into an inhalable mist. This mist is then inhaled into the lungs, introducing the vitamins directly into the bloodstream through the pulmonary system. This method bypasses the digestive system entirely, which some believe may lead to quicker absorption of the vitamins.

However, it's important to note that the human respiratory system isn't inherently designed to absorb vitamins. The immediate absorption claim of vitamin vapes is still debated among health professionals. Today, there’s still ongoing research to determine the efficacy of this method compared to traditional oral consumption.

Types of Vitamin Vapes

The research surrounding vitamin and wellness vapes is in its early stages. Nevertheless, the market is flooded with various types of wellness vapes including:

• Vitamin: These vapes are designed to supplement the user’s diet with vitamins they may not be getting from eating balanced meals. Consumers can choose from a variety of options, including Vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, C, D, and E, based on their personal needs and lifestyle. 
• Essential Oils: Marketed as “portable aromatherapy,” essential oil vapes are designed to promote relaxation and often give off a pleasant aroma. Occasionally, these essential oils are combined with vitamin B-12 in order to give the user a more well-rounded experience. 
• Hormone: These vapes are generally associated with one particular hormone, melatonin. Melatonin vapes are designed to help the user fall and stay asleep. While these vapes may generally prove effective, they should be used with caution, as overdosing on melatonin may cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea, cramps, and headache. 

When choosing which wellness vape is best for you, consider which type of vape would best benefit your lifestyle needs. Always use caution and perform thorough research before committing to a vape.

Where to Buy Vitamin Vapes?

When purchasing a vitamin vape, be mindful of any health warnings or recalls associated with the brand you’re purchasing. As such, it’s essential to research your chosen vape before making a purchase. Performing this research can reduce risk of harm and prevent you from wasting money on an ineffective product.

Vitamin vapes can be purchased online. However, online options are vast, which can be overwhelming when determining a safe and effective vape to purchase. When purchasing online, be sure to read reviews and perform preliminary research about the brand. This extra step can save you money and prevent exposure to harmful chemicals, which could save your lungs in the long run. 

Some vitamin vapes can also be purchased at local smoke or vape shops. When purchasing from a vape shop, make sure to have a conversation with the sales associate about the brand and dosage information. It is just as important to ensure that you are using the vape as its intended as it is to ensure that you are using a vape from a reputable retailer. 

Our Final Take on Vitamin Vapes

The choice to vape vitamins or not is up to the individual. Every decision should be an informed one, however, and part of the problem of vaping vitamins is that there is not a lot of information. The heat sensitivity of vitamins and the necessity of processing them in the stomach might indicate that we must get our vitamins the old-fashioned way. However, there do not seem to be a lot of studies confirming or denying this supposition.

The debate will likely continue until some real science can be brought to bear on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do vitamin B12 vapes work? 

Vitamin B12 vapes are designed to supplement a user's diet in an easy and convenient fashion. Because research surrounding these vapes is in very early stages, the effectiveness of these vapes is generally unknown. 

Are health vapes healthy?

Research on health vapes is in its early stages. Nevertheless, reputable sources such as the FDA warn about the potential long term risks related to these vapes, including negative impact on lung and airway function. 

What are the best vitamin vapes?

Because Vitamin E acetate and vegetableglycerine can break down into harmful chemicals when vaporized, look for a vape that does not use these components. 

Are vitamin vapes safe?

The long term effects of vitamin vapes are generally understudied. Therefore, the safety of these vapes is relatively unknown. Use caution and perform research before purchasing a vitamin vape to best fully understand its efficacy and risks. 

Where to buy a vitamin vape?

Buying a vitamin vape online allows you to perform preliminary research before committing to a brand. When purchasing a vitamin vape, it is essential to read user reviews and keep up-to-date on health warnings and recalls to make sure you are committing to the most beneficial, effective vape.