Coughing after vaping a cart often happens because the vapor is too hot, too thick, or because the ingredients in the vape oil irritate your throat. To stop post-vape cough, try taking smaller puffs, using a lower power setting on your battery, or staying well-hydrated.
Why Do Carts Make Me Cough?
It is very common to experience coughing after vaping. This reaction is your body’s way of pushing out things that feel irritating or unwelcome in your lungs. Vaping carts deliver concentrated substances directly to your airways. This delivery system can easily cause irritation. Let’s look closely at the main reasons this happens.
Heat: The Biggest Culprit
Vaporizers create heat to turn the oil into vapor. If the heat is too high, the vapor becomes very hot and dry. Breathing in hot air hurts your throat lining. This heat causes immediate inflammation, leading to a fit of coughing.
- High Temperatures: Excessive heat burns the delicate tissues in your throat and lungs.
- Dry Air: Very hot vapor lacks moisture. It sucks the natural moisture from your throat. This causes a scratchy, dry feeling, which triggers coughing.
Ingredient Irritants
What’s inside the cartridge matters a lot. Vape oils are not all the same. Some ingredients are known throat irritants.
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Many vape liquids use PG and VG as carriers. These thin out the oil and help create vapor.
- PG: Propylene Glycol is a known irritant for some people. It absorbs moisture quickly. This can lead to a very dry throat and, often, the dry hit cough remedy search begins right after.
- VG: Vegetable Glycerin is thicker and creates more vapor clouds. While generally milder, too much VG, especially when heated too high, can produce thick vapor that is hard to inhale smoothly, causing coughing.
Flavorings and Additives
Artificial flavorings add taste, but they can also add irritation. Some flavor compounds are safe to eat but not safe to inhale when heated.
- Diacetyl and Acetyl Propionyl: Though less common in regulated cannabis carts, some cheaper or black-market oils might contain these chemicals, which are strongly linked to lung issues and severe coughing.
Technique Matters
How you use your vape pen directly impacts whether you cough. Poor technique is a frequent source of trouble.
- Inhaling Too Deeply or Quickly: Taking a long, deep drag pulls a huge volume of vapor into the lungs all at once. Your lungs cannot handle this sudden influx of heat or material, resulting in immediate coughing after vaping.
- Holding It Too Long: Holding the vapor in your lungs for an extended time increases the contact time between the irritants and your lung tissue. This often results in a lingering, deep cough.
Practical Steps to Stop Post-Vape Cough
Now that we know why it happens, we can focus on fixing it. Knowing how to prevent coughing when vaping involves adjusting your gear, your oil, and your habits.
Adjusting Your Hardware and Settings
Your battery and coil are crucial. They control the temperature of the vapor you inhale.
Lower the Power Setting
This is perhaps the most effective step to reduce vape cough. Many modern batteries have variable voltage settings.
- Find the Sweet Spot: High voltage equals high heat. Start low (around 3.0V or the lowest setting on your device). Slowly increase the voltage until you find a setting that produces good vapor without causing harshness.
- Avoid High Wattage: If your battery shows wattage, aim for lower numbers. High wattage burns the oil too fast and too hot. This creates harsh vapor that guarantees a vaping throat irritation relief quest later on.
Check Your Coil or Cartridge
The hardware itself can cause issues.
- Ceramic vs. Cotton Coils: Ceramic heating elements often provide smoother, more consistent heating than older cotton wick designs. Cotton can sometimes burn easily if the oil runs low, leading to instant harshness.
- Resistance (Ohms): Lower resistance coils require more power but heat up faster. For sensitive throats, a slightly higher resistance might offer gentler vapor production.
Ensure Good Wicking
A “dry hit” is when the heating element is hot but there is no oil left to vaporize. This results in inhaling superheated air and burnt residue, causing intense coughing.
- Keep it Primed: Never take a long puff when the tank looks empty or the wick looks dry. Wait a few moments for the oil to soak into the coil before hitting it again.
Changing Your Vaping Technique
Mastering the draw technique is vital for vaping technique to prevent coughing. Think of it like sipping a hot drink rather than gulping it down.
Take Shorter Puffs
Short, shallow draws pull less vapor into your lungs at once.
- Duration: Aim for 1-to-2-second draws maximum, especially when starting with a new cart. This allows the vapor to cool slightly in your mouth before it reaches your lungs.
- Breathing Pattern: Inhale the vapor gently into your mouth first. Then, inhale fresh air through your mouth to push the vapor into your lungs smoothly. This mixes the hot vapor with cooler air.
Avoid Long Holds
Holding vapor in your lungs doesn’t increase the effect much, but it increases irritation significantly.
- Exhale Sooner: Once the vapor is in your lungs, exhale it quickly. Do not hold it for more than a second or two.
Hydration is Key
Dryness fuels the cough reflex. Keeping your body and throat moist is essential for vaping throat irritation relief.
- Drink Water Before and After: Sip water right before you vape. This coats your throat lining. Drink a full glass immediately after you finish your session.
- Room Temperature Water: Very cold water can sometimes shock the throat, leading to a brief coughing spell. Room temperature or slightly warm water is often better for soothing throat after vaping.
Remedies for Immediate Relief
If you’ve already taken a hit and the cough is starting, you need immediate relief for vape cough. These tips can help calm the irritation fast.
Sip, Don’t Gulp
When the urge to cough hits, stop vaping immediately. Reach for a drink.
- Honey Water: A spoonful of honey mixed into warm water is an age-old remedy. Honey coats the throat, reducing the scratchiness that triggers the cough reflex.
- Salty Water Gargle: Gargling with warm salt water can draw out some of the irritants and reduce inflammation in the throat lining. Use half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
Cool Air Inhalation
Breathing in cool, clean air can help cool down irritated airways.
- Open a Window: Step outside or stand near an open window for a few deep breaths of ambient air.
- Use a Humidifier: Running a cool-mist humidifier in your room, especially while sleeping after vaping, adds necessary moisture back into the air you breathe.
Throat Lozenges
Sucking on a lozenge stimulates saliva production, which lubricates the throat.
- Menthol or Eucalyptus: These ingredients provide a cooling sensation that can temporarily numb the irritated feeling. They are great for soothing throat after vaping.
Choosing the Right Cartridge for Smoother Vaping
If you consistently cough, the problem might be the quality or type of oil you are using. Selecting the right cartridge is part of how to prevent coughing when vaping.
Oil Purity and Consistency
Purer oils generally cause less irritation.
- Distillates vs. Live Resin: Highly processed distillates sometimes require more thinning agents (PG/VG) to flow, increasing potential irritation. Live resin or high-quality CO2 extracts often retain more natural terpenes, which provide flavor without heavy artificial additives, leading to a smoother hit.
- Check for Thinners: If the oil looks excessively thin or watery, it might have too much PG or another solvent added to make it flow easily. Avoid these if you are prone to coughing after vaping.
Terpene Content
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis. They are responsible for flavor and can significantly influence the feel of the vapor.
- High Terpene Levels: While natural terpenes are better than artificial flavors, very high concentrations can sometimes feel harsh on the throat. A balanced profile is usually best.
- Terpene Interaction: Some terpenes, like pinene, are naturally sharp. If you know you react poorly to certain flavors, try oils with different terpene profiles.
Table: Cartridge Quality vs. Cough Potential
| Cartridge Type/Feature | Potential for Coughing | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Low-Quality Distillate (High Additives) | High | Contains harsh thinning agents or unwanted residual solvents. |
| Oil Too Thick (Low Flowability) | Moderate to High | Causes the coil to burn the oil instead of vaporizing it smoothly (potential for dry hit). |
| Live Resin/High-Quality Extract | Low to Moderate | Smoother profile due to natural composition, though terpenes can still irritate sensitive users. |
| Optimized Ceramic Coil Cart | Low | Heats oil evenly, minimizing hot spots that cause harshness. |
Fine-Tuning Your Battery for Smoother Hits
The battery is your control center. Learning best vape settings to avoid coughing means mastering voltage control.
The Voltage Spectrum
Voltage directly correlates with temperature. Lower voltage equals cooler, less irritating vapor.
| Voltage Range | Vapor Characteristics | Cough Likelihood | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5V – 3.0V | Cool, light vapor; slow production. | Very Low | Beginners, sensitive throats, flavor preservation. |
| 3.1V – 3.5V | Moderate heat; good vapor production. | Low to Medium | Experienced users seeking balance. |
| 3.6V – 4.2V (or Max) | Hot, dense vapor; rapid production. | High | Maximum intensity, often leads to harshness and coughing. |
- Start Low: If your battery is adjustable, always begin at the lowest setting. This is the primary way to achieve reducing vape cough.
- Pre-Heating: Many batteries have a “pre-heat” function. Use this. It gently warms the oil before you draw, ensuring the first puff is not too cold or too hot, improving the draw consistency and helping to stop post-vape cough.
Battery Maintenance
A faulty battery can ruin a good hit.
- Consistent Power Delivery: Ensure your battery is fully charged. A battery that is dying often delivers inconsistent power, leading to sputtering vapor that can be harsh.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Do not leave your vape pen in a hot car or freezing cold weather. Temperature swings affect the oil viscosity and battery performance, impacting vapor quality.
Long-Term Strategies for Vape Comfort
Preventing the cough over time involves lifestyle adjustments alongside hardware tweaks.
Building Tolerance
If you are new to vaping concentrated oils, your lungs might need time to adjust to the potency and temperature.
- Pacing Yourself: Take only one or two small puffs every few minutes when starting out. Do not chain-vape. This gradual introduction helps your system adapt, making it easier to avoid the immediate dry hit cough remedy situation.
Addressing Underlying Sensitivity
Sometimes, the cough isn’t just about the vape; it’s about what else is going on in your respiratory system.
- Allergies and Post-Nasal Drip: If you suffer from allergies or have chronic post-nasal drip, any vapor inhalation can aggravate the mucus buildup, leading to coughing. Treating allergies can significantly lessen this reaction.
- Asthma or Bronchitis: If you have underlying respiratory conditions, vaping, even smoothly, can trigger symptoms. Consult a doctor about safe vaping practices if you have these conditions.
Selecting the Right Cartridge Material
The material that touches the oil is vital for flavor and health.
- Glass vs. Plastic: Always use cartridges made entirely of glass for the tank section. Plastic tanks can degrade when exposed to certain oils or heat, leaching unwanted chemicals into your vapor. Glass ensures that what you taste is the oil, not melting plastic, which helps in soothing throat after vaping.
Summary of Actions to Stop Coughing
To summarize the best practices for how to not cough after hitting cart, focus on these key areas:
- Temperature Control: Use the lowest effective voltage setting on your battery.
- Inhalation Style: Take short, gentle puffs, drawing vapor into your mouth first, not directly deep into the lungs.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water before and immediately after vaping.
- Oil Quality: Choose high-quality, additive-free vape oils when possible.
- Immediate Care: Use honey or lozenges for immediate relief for vape cough when irritation strikes.
By meticulously managing the heat, moisture, and draw technique, you can significantly minimize or eliminate the common issue of coughing after vaping. This comprehensive approach ensures you get the desired experience without the harsh aftermath, making the process enjoyable rather than irritating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use room temperature water to stop coughing after vaping?
A: Yes, room temperature water is good for soothing throat after vaping. It helps rinse the throat without causing the potential shock that very cold water might.
Q: How long does it take for vape throat irritation relief to set in?
A: For immediate relief methods like drinking water or using a lozenge, you should feel better within a few minutes as the throat lining is coated or cooled down. If the irritation persists, you may need to wait for the residual heat to dissipate completely.
Q: Is frequent coughing after vaping a sign of a dangerous problem?
A: Mild, occasional coughing is often just irritation (especially with dry hit cough remedy situations or high heat). However, if you experience severe, deep coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up colored mucus consistently, stop vaping immediately and consult a healthcare professional, as this may signal a more serious reaction or underlying lung issue.
Q: What is the best vape setting to avoid coughing?
A: The best vape settings to avoid coughing are usually the lowest functional voltage settings on your battery, often between 2.8V and 3.2V, depending on the cart’s resistance. This provides the coolest, least irritating vapor.
Q: Why do I still cough even when I use low power?
A: If you still cough at low power, the issue is likely the oil itself (too many additives or irritating terpenes) or your technique (inhaling too deeply or too quickly). Focus on gentler draws and ensuring good hydration to address these factors for reducing vape cough.