Comparing the sensory effects of menthol and synthetic coolants in e-liquids: A pilot investigation

Synthetic coolants such as Wilkinson Sword-23 (WS-23) and Wilkinson Sword-3 (WS-3) are commonly included either instead or with menthol in e-liquids. While in vitro studies suggest that synthetic coolants have similar cooling properties as menthol, less is known about their sensory effects in humans. This study is the first to directly compare sensory effects following inhalational exposure to synthetic coolants and menthol in e-liquids. Adults who used e-cigarettes (N = 27; 33.3 ± 10.0 years; 40.7% female) completed one laboratory session. Under randomized double-blinded conditions, participants sampled e-liquids containing menthol, WS-3, or WS-23. Sixteen e-liquids were sampled in commercially relevant concentrations: 0.5 mg/g, 1 mg/g, 5 mg/g, 10 mg/g, 20 m/g for all coolants, and 40 mg/g for WS-23 only. Participants reported sensory effects (coolness, flavor intensity, sweetness, irritation). Mixed-effects models assessed effects of coolant, concentration, and their interaction. Within each coolant, coolness, flavor, and irritation increased with concentration (ps < .05). Coolness and flavor intensity differed by coolant (ps < .05). Menthol and WS-23 produced stronger cooling than WS-3, and menthol had stronger flavor intensity than both WS-3 or WS-23 (ps < .05). Sweetness and irritation did not differ by coolant. Across coolants, we observed dose-dependent increases in sensory effects across concentrations. While all coolants produced cooling and flavor intensity that increased with increasing concentration, WS-23 more closely matched menthol's cooling effect. Neither synthetic coolant had as strong a flavor intensity as menthol. Our evidence suggests that sensory effects of synthetic coolants may substitute for menthol's cooling properties. Future studies are needed to understand if synthetic coolants similarly to menthol, enhance the appeal of nicotine-containing e-liquids. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).