Potential Effects of E-Cigarettes on Smokers' Sensory Perception

A recent study from the University of Otago in New Zealand suggests that changes in the sensation experienced by smokers may be a side effect of e-cigarettes. This collaborative research with the National Institute for Health Innovation was published in the journal "Appetite" and aimed to assess the potential impact of smoking on the taste and smell of young New Zealanders.

Dr. Jessica McCormack, the lead author from the Department of Food Science, has stated that the findings indicate that non-smokers find the taste of "sweet" more pleasurable, whereas smokers do not share the same perception. Smokers do not exhibit significant differences in the olfactory sensation of different flavors, or "aromas".

"The changes in smell and taste are often associated with changes in dietary habits, therefore we need to understand the long-term effects of smoking e-cigarettes, especially in populations who were not past or current smokers," Dr. McCormick said.

The participants consisted of 213 individuals aged 18 and above, who either regularly, occasionally, or never used e-cigarettes. They were categorized as smokers or non-smokers based on their usage patterns over the past six months.

Another possible reason may be that nicotine enhances the reinforcing effects of stimuli, thus making sweet flavors less enjoyable in its absence.

During the research period, they experimented with various flavors and scents diffused in a basic solution. "Participants rated the pleasantness and intensity of taste and scent samples, and underwent a simple sensory perception test where they had to guess between regular water samples and very low concentrations of flavors/scents.

Dr. McComack expressed that the findings are noteworthy.

We know that smoking may lead to olfactory dysfunction and changes in taste, but the mechanisms causing reduced sense of smell in smoking e-cigarettes may not necessarily be the same. Thus, we find it very interesting to observe differences between smokers and non-smokers in this regard.

We still need to further understand the potential mechanisms here - whether they are associated with taste or the use of nicotine, or a combination of both?" She also stated that sweet-flavored e-cigarettes are the most popular, potentially leading smokers to overuse them.

Dr. Pan Mei, a seasoned author, has stated that "these findings also have implications for the dietary behavior of young people who use e-cigarettes. We hope to delve further into these impacts in future research.