MONQs: what my dear friend Noah calls "a healthy vape." But it's not that simple; MONQ personal essential oil diffusers have the power to revolutionize the art of aromatherapy.

Let's start off with the basics: MONQs are, simply, personal essential oil diffusers. It looks like something between a cigarette and a vape, but it's very different from both. Each MONQ contains a blend of essential oils made from all organic and natural ingredients along with a small amount of coconut-derived vegetable glycerin. Within each device is a lithium battery that heats up the aromatherapy liquid when the person using it inhales.

To get the full effect, you simply breathe in through your mouth (without inhaling into your lungs, like sipping on a straw) and exhale through your nose. And there you have it: therapeutic air.

Anyone who knows me knows I love my essential oil diffuser. It's the first thing you notice when you walk into my room and sometimes my whole hall smells like lemongrass or tea tree. I think essential oils are truly amazing assets to the world of natural healing.

So what could be better than getting to experience that anywhere you go? MONQ blends feature specific oil combinations meant to help the user feel the way they want to feel. Blends include Zen, Happy, Active, Sexy, Sleepy, Vibrant, and Healthy.

My first blend was Vibrant and I was not disappointed. The ginger, lemon, and spearmint in this blend gave me the extra boost of natural inspiration and motivation I needed in the middle of a super tedious study session or between classes.

For $20 a pop, each MONQ lasts for about 200 to 250 breaths, or typically a month, depending on the user. The devices are short and slim stainless steel tubes in a variety of colors, each fashioned with a tiny jewel on the bottom that lights up when the user inhales.

I love my MONQ. I really do. I think it's not only a great way to practice aromatherapy on the go and a pretty unique addition to your mental health toolkit, but it's also a super healthy alternative to smoking or using electronic cigarettes. The most popular vapes on the market – Juuls, Junos, etc. – typically contain more nicotine than cigarettes do.

I don't need to water down this article with the facts about nicotine; y'all should know by now that that's a big problem. If you wanna smoke, by all means, smoke; but if you're looking to electronic cigarettes as a healthy alternative, know that you're choosing between a rock and a hard place.

MONQs are by no means marketed as alternatives to smoking or even as vaporizers; however, they allow users to indulge in the hand-to-mouth habit and the feeling of smoking without inhaling any carcinogens or artificial flavorings that are commonly linked to conditions such as "popcorn lung" or "e-asthma." Sometimes, you just really want a cigarette. Pick up your MONQ instead and take a step toward holistic wellness.

So, is my dear friend Noah right after all? Are MONQs nothing more than "healthy vapes"? That's for you to decide. But try a couple breaths of Zen or Vibrant before you do.