There are several reasons why experts believe this change or reduction in someone’s sense of taste can be affected by vaping. For example, some people are thought to be more prone to vaper’s tongue than others due to individual variability. Some other causes which have been linked to vaper’s tongue include:

1. Olfactory fatigue

Because our senses of taste and smell are linked, the strong aroma of certain vape ‘flavours’ can lead to our taste sense being dulled, too. This happens because of a condition known as olfactory fatigue.

“When you vape the same flavour for an extended period, the olfactory receptors in your nose can become accustomed to that specific aroma,” Dr Eskander explains. “As a result, you become desensitised to the flavour, and it may seem less pronounced or disappear temporarily.”

2. Overexposure to certain flavours

One of the reasons someone might experience vaper’s tongue more than someone else could be to do with the type of flavours they enjoy vaping, Dr Eskander suggests.

“Some e-liquid flavours, especially very strong or intense ones, can contribute to vaper’s tongue more than others. Constant exposure to these flavours can cause your taste receptors to become less sensitive to them.”

3. Dehydration

You might not be surprised to learn that vaping can contribute to dehydration – specifically dry mouth, which is a common side effect. This can put you at greater risk of developing vaper’s tongue.

“Dry mouth can reduce your ability to taste flavours since saliva plays a crucial role in tasting and helps to distribute flavour molecules to your taste buds,” Dr Eskander says. “When your mouth is dry, you may experience reduced taste perception as a result.”

4. Smoking history

While plenty of vapers haven’t touched a cigarette before, those who have may find their sense of taste is affected – especially when they first make the transition from smoking to vaping.

“Smoking can damage taste buds and olfactory senses, and it may take some time for these senses to recover,” Dr Eskander explains. “For former smokers who switch to vaping, this means the transition can sometimes lead to temporary taste issues.”

Vaper’s tongue: the surprising impact vaping can have on your sense of taste – and why it happens