Hitting a vaporizing pen often comes with an unexpected and powerful cough, especially for new users. This reaction is a common physiological response to inhaling a foreign substance, not a sign that the device or user is doing something wrong. Understanding the mechanics behind this reflex and applying specific adjustments to technique and equipment can greatly reduce the likelihood of coughing. This article provides practical approaches to mitigate this natural reaction and create a smoother experience.
The Physiology of Why Vaping Causes Coughing
The cough reflex is the body’s natural defense mechanism, designed to expel irritants from the airways. Vapor is a warm, concentrated aerosol that the delicate tissues lining the throat and lungs recognize as a foreign substance. This irritation triggers sensory nerves, which communicate a threat signal to the brainstem to initiate a cough.
The temperature of the inhaled vapor is a significant factor in airway irritation. When the heating element rapidly vaporizes the liquid, the resulting warm aerosol causes drying and mild thermal stress on the tracheal lining. Propylene glycol (PG), a common component in vapor liquids, is slightly hygroscopic, meaning it draws moisture from the surrounding environment. This moisture loss, combined with the aerosol particles, heightens the sensitivity of airway receptors, making a cough more likely.
Mastering the Inhalation Technique
The way vapor is drawn into the body is the most controllable variable in preventing a cough. Selecting the correct technique for the device and liquid concentration is paramount to comfort. Beginners often find success using the mouth-to-lung (MTL) technique, which mimics drawing on a traditional cigarette. This method involves drawing the vapor into the mouth cavity, holding it momentarily, and then inhaling it into the lungs with a subsequent breath of fresh air.
The MTL method allows the concentrated vapor to mix with air and cool slightly within the mouth before reaching the lower airways. This cooling and dilution significantly reduces the irritation and concentration of the aerosol reaching the lungs, making the draw gentler. This technique is suitable when using liquids that contain higher levels of nicotine or propylene glycol, which are generally harsher.
The alternative is the direct-to-lung (DTL) technique, where the vapor is inhaled in one continuous, deep breath straight into the lungs. This method delivers a much greater volume of warm, concentrated vapor directly to the lungs, which is highly likely to induce coughing in an untrained individual. The DTL method should be reserved for lower-nicotine liquids and devices designed for high airflow.
Regardless of the chosen method, the draw should be short and gentle, avoiding a long, aggressive pull. A soft draw limits the amount of vapor inhaled, preventing the sudden, overwhelming concentration that triggers the cough reflex. Users should also avoid holding the vapor in the lungs for an extended period, as the goal is to smoothly inhale and exhale the aerosol, not to maximize absorption time, which increases irritation.
Optimizing Your Device and Vapor Quality
Physical adjustments to the device and the liquid composition can dramatically reduce vapor harshness. Many devices feature adjustable airflow controls. Opening these vents allows more ambient air to mix with the aerosol as it is drawn. Increasing the airflow cools the vapor and dilutes the concentration of the inhaled substance, minimizing irritation potential.
The power setting, measured in wattage, dictates the temperature of the heating element and the density of the vapor produced. Higher wattage settings result in hotter, denser vapor clouds, which are a major trigger for coughing due to increased heat and concentration. Users should always start at the lowest recommended wattage setting for their coil and only increase it incrementally if a warmer, denser vapor is desired.
The ratio of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) plays a significant role in throat sensation. PG is thinner and carries flavor and nicotine effectively, but it is responsible for the “throat hit” sensation and is slightly more irritating. Conversely, VG is thicker and creates smoother, larger vapor clouds, contributing less to throat irritation. Choosing a liquid with a higher VG ratio, such as 70% VG to 30% PG, is a common adjustment for a smoother draw.
Nicotine concentration also affects the throat sensation, especially when using high strengths of freebase nicotine or nicotine salts. Higher nicotine concentrations intensify the “throat hit,” which often precedes a cough. Selecting a lower nicotine strength, particularly when first using a new device or the DTL technique, reduces the overall harshness of the vapor and prevents the reflex.
Techniques for Immediate Cough Suppression
Preparing the body and managing the immediate aftermath of a draw can help prevent or suppress a cough. Vapor, especially the PG component, is inherently drying to the mucosal tissues. Maintaining adequate hydration by drinking water before and after a session ensures the throat remains moist. This helps buffer the tissues against the drying and irritating effects of the inhaled aerosol.
How the vapor is expelled also influences the likelihood of a subsequent cough. Instead of rapidly blowing the vapor out, a slow, controlled exhalation allows the airways to adjust more gradually. This smooth expulsion reduces the sudden change in pressure and temperature within the lungs, which can trigger a secondary, reflexive cough.
Posture is an often overlooked factor in airway management. Sitting or standing upright ensures that the airways are fully open and aligned, allowing the smoothest path for the vapor to travel and be exhaled. If a cough starts, immediately taking a deep breath of fresh, cool air or swallowing can interrupt the reflex loop before a full coughing fit takes hold.