CBD is all the rage these days, and so is vaping.
Most people associate vaping with e-cigarettes, but much healthier smoke clouds avail. CBD vaping is not only beneficial to your health, but it won’t produce any nasty second-hand smoke or give you ashtray breath.
In this article, we’re going to talk about everything to know about vaping CBD. So keep reading to learn more.
Everything to Know About Vaping CBD
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Cannabidiol or, CBD, is the new super “supplement” in town.
CBD is one of over a hundred natural chemical compounds found within the cannabis plant, and it comes with seemingly endless health benefits. In accordance with FDA regulations, CBD can’t technically be referred to as a medication just yet, although it has become a favorited alternative to conventional pharmaceuticals.
CBD comes in many forms, and while CBD oil is at the top of most peoples’ list, vaping comes in at a close second.
The act of vaping involves a vape pen, a CBD vape oil or juice, and you—inhaling it into your lungs. It won’t get you high if that’s what you’re wondering. However, in states where medical and/or recreational THC is legal, you can get your hands on products that combine the two compounds.
Many people choose to vape their CBD rather than use other methods because vaping provides greater bioavailability, which means the user will absorb more of it.
What’s a Vape Pen and How Does it Work?
A vape pen, also called a vaporizer, is more or less a little metal case that hooks up to an e-juice (CBD juice) cartridge. It heats up, vaporizing the juice, allowing you to inhale it. The components that make up a vape include:
- A battery
- An atomizer (the heating component)
- A cartridge (also known as a chamber) that holds that juice and has a mouthpiece attached.
There are actually two different styles of vapes: the vape pen and the tank-style vape. The vape pens or pen-style vapes are the most commonly used. These are generally made for CBD concentrates, while the tank-style vapes have a wider shape and are used for non-concentrated CBD juice mixtures. They also have reusable or disposable options.
Both styles are pretty easy to use, and they usually come with a fully charged battery. Basically, all you have to do is hold down the button and inhale. Depending on the device and the brand, there will be a blinking light that indicates when it’s time to inhale or when it’s time to stop inhaling.
What’s in CBD Vape Juice?
Not all CBD juices are created equally, which makes the ingredient list extremely important. CBD juices are typically made up of the CBD, a carrier oil, a thinning agent, and sometimes flavoring.
The most common ingredients you’ll see are:
- CBD isolates/CBD extracts
- Hemp oil, coconut oil, MCT oil (as the carrier)
- Vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG) (as the thinning agent)
- Natural or artificial flavoring
That’s the basic breakdown of what goes into a CBD juice mixture. Some contain extra additives and other unwanted compounds that can have a negative impact on your health. You’ll want to read the ingredient label carefully and do your due diligence, especially if you’re looking for top CBD vape juices.
The Benefits of Vaping CBD
As we mentioned before, CBD comes with a whole lot of health benefits. And with vaping, you’ll feel those effects much faster than you would by using other methods.
Some of the most common benefits to vaping CBD oil include:
- Pain relief
- Mental and physical relaxation
- Better sleep
- Improved mood
- Improved appetite
- Less anxiety
Some studies show that in high doses, CBD can induce drowsiness while in small doses it can make the user more alert. CBD is also being used as an alternative treatment for chronic pain and inflammation, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and many other conditions.
CBD is also known to mitigate the effects of THC, meaning that in the right dosage, it will help tone down the high that comes with smoking marijuana. This proves to be a great method for those who depend on medical THC for certain conditions but can’t handle feeling too high.
How Much CBD Should I Vape?
CBD can be tricky all around to dose because it’s still so new to the market and it affects everyone differently. If you are new to vaping CBD, you’ll want to start small.
Your standard cartridge typically provides one-milliliter (1 mL) of CBD juice, which is anywhere from 100 to 200 puffs. As mentioned before, some vape devices have a monitor that lets you know you’ve inhaled a full dose. But, the general rule of thumb is that a 1 mL cartridge containing up to 200 doses will give you 1-2 mg of CBD per inhale.
Of course, when it comes to finding the right dosage, there are a few things to take into consideration:
- Your weight
- Your condition (if any)
- Your tolerance
- The type of vape device
- The type of vape juice
Again, if you’re new to vaping CBD, you’ll want to start small with one to two puffs, twice a day. Pay close attention to how you feel, and adjust from there. You really can’t over-do it with CBD, although it’s important to remember that in large doses it can make you drowsy. If you’re vaping CBD for a specific condition, you should speak with your doctor first.
Is Vaping CBD Safe?
CBD is generally risk-free, although there are some concerns with vaping in general.
One of the main concerns is metal nanoparticles. Over time and with a lot of use, the coil within the heating component of the vape will oxidize. When this happens, metal nanoparticles become vaporized and are inhaled by the user. This only happens in the pen-style vapes.
In terms of adverse health effects, this is still a gray area but is considered to be low-risk—especially if you replace your vape pen from time to time.
A larger concern is unregulated ingredients in the CBD vape juice. As mentioned before, not all vape juice is created equally, and certain additives like propylene glycol can cause allergies or irritation. These are typically found in the juices made for the tank-style vape devices.
So, what’s the takeaway on CBD vaping safety?—As long as you purchase your CBD juices from a trusted company that only uses quality ingredients and replace your devices from time to time, you should be just fine.
Is Vaping CBD Right for You?
Now that you’re familiar with everything to know about vaping CBD, you probably want to try it. Vaping isn’t right for everyone, so if you find you don’t like it, there are plenty of alternative methods to take CBD.
If you found this article helpful then you’ll definitely want to read through our others. Check back daily as we’re always posting new and interesting stuff about vaping.