A new research report released at the American Thoracic Society's ATS 2022 International Conference states that electronic cigarette manufacturers in the United States are using synthetic cooling agents WS-3 and WS-23 in their electronic cigarette products, which have the potential to be dangerous.
Due to the popularity of tobacco products with peppermint and menthol flavors, due to their cooling effect, e-cigarette manufacturers have begun to use synthetic versions of these flavors and add them to e-liquids. However, researchers note that to date, there is limited knowledge regarding the ingredients of such cooling agents and their potential health risks.
Dr. Sven Jordt, associate professor of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and cancer biology at Duke University and a researcher on the topic, stated that their findings revealed the addition of a synthetic cooling agent called WS-3 in Juul e-cigarettes sold in Europe, which was the most popular e-cigarette brand at the time. This prompted their investigation of whether e-cigarettes sold in the United States also contained this synthetic cooling agent.
Meanwhile, a recent article in the open-access journal eNeuro published by the Society for Neuroscience discusses a previous American study that found the common green apple-flavored e-liquid chemical, farnesene, stimulates excitatory behavior in the ventral tegmental area of the brain by activating highly-sensitive nAChRs.
In simple terms, the taste of this compound can be addictive. "Whether or not they contain nicotine, flavored electronic cigarettes pose potential risks to the brain and addiction," said lead author Skylar Cooper.
Cooper and her research team have divided their research subjects (mice) into three groups. One group is given nicotine, another is given the green apple flavored compound farnesene, or a combination of both, while the third group is given a saline solution.
Researchers have found that farnesene is a stimulant in and of itself, as mice preferred the farnesene chamber over the saltwater chamber. However, when mixed with nicotine, farnesene was found to further increase stimulation levels.
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