The CBD industry has been flourishing in recent years. As legislation surrounding cannabis products relaxes, more people are turning to the therapeutic plant remedy to help them with pain, anxiety, sleep, and digestive issues as well as medical conditions such as arthritis, cancer and epilepsy. CBD can even help people quit smoking cigarettes.
CBD, the non-intoxicating compound in hemp and marijuana, works with the body’s endocannabinoid system. It has impressive anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. It can be infused into food and lotion, but many people choose to use CBD vape oil to control the dosage and produce faster results.
You can also smoke CBD flower. However, vaping is more discreet and portable. It’s also smoother and can be more intense because the CBD is concentrated.
What is CBD Vape Oil?
Many people who are curious about using CBD to improve their wellness wonder, “What is CBD vape oil, and how does it differ from smoking flower?” CBD vape oil is a concentrated version of cannabidiol, one of the primary compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil is usually extracted from hemp and contains little to no THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana.
Other terms for CBD vape oil include CBD vape juice and hemp oil. There are many CBD or hemp oils that can’t be vaped, though. Many are designed to be consumed orally. CBD vape oil is intended to be inhaled using a vape pen.
CBD vape oil is extracted from plants that contain high levels of the cannabinoid. After the oil is removed, it is distilled to separate the CBD from the other compounds.
Some of the most common forms of extraction involve:
- 1. Carbon dioxide – Produces a safe, potent product that retains the purity of the vape oil
- 2. Ethanol –High-grade alcohol that produces quality CBD vape oil but degrades some of the plant waxes, which have medicinal properties
- 3. Butane – Creates a wax or honey-like substance that must be further processed to remove butane residues and convert the final product into CBD vape oil
When CBD vape oil is extracted using carbon dioxide or ethanol, it produces a cleaner result with no traces of harmful residue. However, high-quality oil depends on more than the extraction method. The most therapeutic CBD vape oils are made from the whole flower and include more of the healing compounds from the plant, including terpenes.
Some people are wary of inhaling anything and choose other CBD oil products. Some people choose their method of administration based on their ailment. For example, someone with localized joint pain or a skin condition might benefit from using a topical CBD product. Those with anxiety or who are looking for generalized pain relief may be better off inhaling a CBD vape oil.
Why Do People Vape CBD?
Many people who vape CBD report feeling a soothing sensation that comes on quickly. Therefore, many people use it to relax. Because CBD doesn’t make you high, however, its effects may be subtle. Still, the product has been shown to improve:
- 1. Generalized anxiety, PTSD and social anxiety
- 2. Insomnia and sleep disorders
- 3. Chronic and treatment-resistant pain
- 4. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
- 5. Side effects from cancer and cancer treatments
- 6. Brain health, focus and concentration
Why would you vape CBD instead of using a tincture or eating a gummy? CBD vape oil has a faster absorption rate than oral or topical methods of use. It doesn’t have to go through the digestive system before it is absorbed. CBD vape oil is quickly assimilated into the bloodstream by the capillaries in the lungs.
Inhalation offers a higher bioavailability than taking CBD oil orally or sublingually. Because of this, people who want quick relief from pain, anxiety or stress may prefer vape oil to other products.
When you vape CBD oil, each inhalation equates to one dose. You can customize your dosage based on how deeply you inhale and how many inhalations you take. CBD products that are already infused into foods or capsules don’t allow you to tailor the dosage as easily.
Plus, quality CBD vape cartridges list the percentage of cannabinoids in the product. Therefore, you can stick to a product that works well for you.
How to Vape CBD Oil Safely
Because CBD oil is still largely unregulated, it’s important to make sure that you purchase and vape a high-quality product. There is so much information about CBD vape oil out there that deciding what to buy and how to use it can be overwhelming.
Remember that all CBD oil is not meant to be inhaled. You cannot vape a product that’s designed for sublingual, oral or topical administration even if it looks similar to vape juice.
You can vape CBD oil using:
- 1. A disposable pen – These lightweight products are pre-filled with CBD vape oil and have a built-in heating coil and battery. They cannot be refilled.
- 2. CBD vape oil cartridges – These pre-filled cylinders can be screwed onto a reusable battery with coil. When you’ve used up all of the vape oil, you can replace it with a new cartridge.
- 3. CBD vape pods – Many pods are compatible with JUUL batteries. Some, like Renova pods, are easy to refill with your own CBD vape oil. They’re also made with safe, medical-grade materials.
- 4. Refillable vape pens – These come with a battery, coil and refillable cartridge, like vaporesso vm stick 18.
The safest way to vape CBD is to follow the instructions on the product that you use. Wait 5 to 10 minutes after each puff to notice its effects before you dose more.
Although many people believe that vaping CBD oil is healthier than smoking flower, it still has some risks. One of the dangers of using CBD vape oil is that you could be inhaling cuticle waxes. These are the fatty substances that are extracted along with the CBD oil.
When you smoke flower, the high heat destroys the wax before it enters your body. Because CBD vape oil combusts at a much lower temperature, the waxes aren’t burned off, and they can settle in your lungs.
Look for a vape product that has undergone winterization. This process removes most of the cuticle waxes. A reputable company should be able to tell you whether the product has been winterized if you reach out to them.
Thinning agents also pose a health hazard. Raw cannabis oil is so thick that it can’t be used in most vape pens. Therefore, some manufacturers thin it with agents such as propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol.
The best CBD vape oils don’t use solvents in the distillation process or add harmful chemical fillers. Some manufacturers use natural, food-grade oils to optimize the viscosity of the liquid. Vegetable glycerin is considered a safe alternative to chemical thinners.
Most CBD vape oils also contain flavorings. Sometimes, the flavor is derived from terpenes, which are fragrant and beneficial ingredients in the cannabis plant. Other times, the flavoring is artificial. The flavorings are typically food grade and approved by the FDA, but the long-term effects of inhaling them haven’t been extensively studied.
Market Potential and Government Regulation on CBD
Scientists have been studying CBD for its medical benefits for a few decades. In June 2018, the FDA approved a purified form of CBD oil for treating epilepsy in patients who are at least 2 years old. The FDA also explains that this type of CBD has only been approved in specific dosages to treat a particular disease.
However, it is paving the way for more clinical studies and advancements. Research is still in the early stages, but CBD has been found to be effective for managing a wide variety of ailments. Many companies are hurrying to get involved in the CBD industry, which is projected to reach a value of $2 billion by 2020.
Consumers are jumping on the idea of CBD products because it doesn’t make them high. As long as CBD products contain no THC, they won’t show up on a drug test, either.
The World Health Organization claims that purified CBD “does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm.” One of the biggest concerns for using CBD is that the long-term effects have not been extensively studied. But all it takes is one look at the side effects list for pharmaceuticals such as prescription pain relievers and cancer medications to know that those carry plenty of risk. Cannabis has been used as medicine since ancient times and is generally regarded as safe.
As of July 12, 2019, all 50 states have passed some type of law legalizing the use of CBD products. The laws differ from state to state, however. In most cases, CBD oil is legal across the U.S. as long as it contains less than 0.3 percent THC. The laws differ for medical marijuana use, though. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the legislation in your area.
How to Choose CBD Vape Oil and Where to Buy
Thousands of CBD vape oil products are available online and at stores and dispensaries around the country. You can begin the selection process by deciding what you want to use CBD vape oil for.
Anyone who wants quick relief from pain, muscle cramps, anxiety or insomnia may want to use a vape solution that’s easy and convenient. Carrying a pen or pod with you can give you peace of mind throughout the day. Those that use pre-filled cartridges are convenient. However, if you plan to use CBD oil for a long time or wish to customize your experience, filling your own pod may be the easiest way to go.
If you do that, look for environmentally friendly pods. The coils heat up to high temperatures. You don’t want to compromise your health by inhaling plastic.
Once you decide on the equipment that you’ll use to administer the CBD vape oil, you can start looking for the ideal oil. Most vape pen or pod manufacturers will tell you the recommended VG:PG ratio to seek out in a CBD oil. Use those recommendations to start your search.
Look for products that list the CBD amount. If you’re using CBD for health benefits, you may want to consider using vape oil made from the whole plant. It will contain more healing compounds than other types of products. You also make sure that the liquid is clear and doesn’t separate in the bottle.
You can always ask the manufacturer to provide third-party lab tests. These will show the percentage of CBD and other beneficial compounds in the product as well as contaminants, such as pesticides. Most states don’t require testing, but a reputable manufacturer that is concerned about the health and well-being of its consumers will.
Conclusion
CBD oil is not just used for recreational purposes. Although it might deliver a dose of tranquility, it also has healing properties. If you use it, make sure that you’re using high-quality oil and vaping equipment to deliver maximum benefits.
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