Vaper’s Tongue: Why Can’t I Taste My E-Liquid?

The world of vaping is full of unique and tantalising flavours. This wide range of available flavours is one of the reasons why vaping has become such a popular phenomena. However, there is a phenomenon that occurs during which vapers lose their ability to properly taste the flavours of their most loved e-liquids. Join us in exploring the experience of vaper’s tongue, what it is, and how to prevent it.

What is Vaper’s Tongue?

Vaper’s tongue is an unexpected occurrence during which vapers start to lose their ability to taste the flavours of their vape juice. Most vapers will experience vaper’s tongue at some point during their vaping journey. 

The phrase “vaper’s tongue” became common as many vapers reported feeling like their tongue had developed a thick coating that was blocking their ability to taste. Luckily, vaper’s tongue usually only lasts a few hours to a few days, but some vapers have claimed that they have gone for weeks without being able to taste any flavour from their devices. 

While vaper’s tongue will not affect vapour production or nicotine absorption, most vapers find that enjoying the flavours of e-liquids are essential to their vaping experience.

Why Am I Not Tasting Any Flavours From My Vape?

We have around 2 000 to 8 000 taste buds in our mouth and all of them regenerate every ten days. In order to taste things properly, you need to produce enough saliva. Since vaping involves inhaling air, it can dry out your mouth and reduce the amount of saliva you are producing. When you do not produce enough saliva, your ability to taste can go away completely.

Flavour fatigue can be another reason why you are experiencing vaper’s tongue. Your sense of smell and your taste buds work together for you to perceive flavours to their full extent. Smell accounts for up to 70% of the flavours we actually taste. The longer you are exposed to a certain smell, the more used to it you get and the more you will lose your perception of the flavour.

Another cause of vaper’s tongue is smoking, or recently quitting smoking. Research indicates that smokers or those who have recently stopped smoking often have a weakened flavour perception. There is no time frame for when this instance of vaper’s tongue goes away, but a general consensus is that it starts to go away about a month after quitting cigarettes.

How Can I Get Rid Of Vaper’s Tongue?

Vaper’s tongue is not a pleasant experience, so getting rid of it is a top-priority for most vapers to get back to enjoying their favourite flavours. Luckily, there are some things you can try to get rid of vaper’s tongue, including:

• Drinking more water
• Consuming less caffeine and alcohol
• Using an oral hydration product
• Cleaning your tongue
• Quitting smoking
• Taking breaks between vape sessions
• Changing e-liquids
• Trying menthol or cooling flavours
• Vaping unflavoured liquids

Drinking More Water

Staying hydrated is important for your overall well being, and it can help you to better experience the full flavour of your e-liquid. Be sure to drink lots of water, especially if you vape frequently. There are a few potential causes of dry mouth, but the first recommendation to solve it, is to drink more water.

Consuming Less Caffeine And Alcohol

Drinks that have a high alcohol or caffeine content can cause dry mouth. They are also classified as diuretics, so they make you urinate more frequently. The combination of these two factors can lead to dehydration, which can lead to experiencing vaper’s tongue.

Using An Oral Hydration Product

If you keep struggling with dry mouth, you can use Biotene or similar products to temporarily cure it. These products are available in different forms, including spray, toothpaste, gels for overnight use, and mouthwash. In contrast to other mouthwashes and fresheners, Biotene is alcohol-free. It’s interesting to note that Biotene has PG and VG in it, just like e-liquid.

Cleaning Your Tongue

Another approach to make sure you’re receiving the best flavour possible from your vape is to keep your tongue clean. Remember to brush your tongue, and if you want to go one step further, you can get rid of the film that builds up on your tongue with tongue scrapers.

Quitting Smoking

Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. Your sense of taste will benefit from this as well. It could take a few weeks for your taste to recover if you recently stopped smoking. 

Taking Breaks Between Vape Sessions

Vaping constantly will wear down your taste and smell receptors. You can reduce the amount of time you spend vaping by raising your nicotine level. Longer periods of time should pass before you need another dosage when your nicotine level is higher. Alternatively, take longer pauses between vape sessions to give your taste buds a break if you do not want to increase your nicotine intake.

Changing E-Liquids

If you consistently vape the same flavour, it will ultimately lose some of its initial potency. You can only detect a flavour via your sense of smell for a certain amount of time. Change your e-liquid flavours to combat flavour fatigue. Make use of this to try out flavours you would not typically smoke. Ideally, you should experiment with a flavour in an entirely new category. For instance, if you usually prefer sweet or candy flavours, try a coffee or tobacco flavour, or vice versa.

Trying Menthol Or Cooling Flavours

You could find use in menthol flavours even if you are not a fan of them. In reality, you can sense menthol without tasting or smelling it. You can feel menthol in your skin or eyes because it triggers thermoreceptors. This allows you to rest your taste buds and give them a break from your usual flavours.

Vaping Unflavoured Liquids

Another method to overcome vaper’s tongue is to vape unflavoured base liquids. It is like taking a vacation from vaping, only without completely having to give it up. You will not be missing out on any flavour because unflavoured e-liquid has very little taste – just a hint of sweetness. DIY stores usually sell unflavored e-juice, which you can customise to your desired nicotine dose and PG/VG ratio. Plus, unflavoured vape juice is typically far less expensive than flavoured vapour juice.

If you attempt every remedy listed above and still experience vaper’s tongue, there might be another factor at work. Dry mouth is a side effect of several commonly prescribed drugs that are used to treat anxiety, depression, allergies, colds, and many other common disorders. Similar effects have also been reported with cannabis products, particularly when vaped. Even if you’ve never had dry mouth before, vaping along with your medicine may have finally caused it to manifest. Speak with your dentist or doctor if the issue persists.