CBD is popping up in everything from pet treats to bath bombs to vape oils.
Touting benefits from anxiety reduction to pain relief with few-to-no side effects, CBD is breaking free from the stigma associated with its psychoactive sibling, THC.
There are many ways to consume CBD, with topicals and edibles being some of the most popular forms.
Yet, there is another product that becomes increasingly widespread for its discreteness, ease of use, and health benefits — CBD vape oil.
Let’s find out what CBD vape oil is all about and whether or not this product is right for you.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical derived from the cannabis plant.
Cannabis use is often associated with the mind-numbing, couch-locking effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); however, experts avoid calling CBD “psychoactive” to avoid giving the impression that CBD causes intoxicating effects. In other words, CBD is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis.
Growers are able to cultivate plants to hone the levels of certain cannabinoids such as CBD, allowing them to grow high-CBD strains that can be used in various forms, including tinctures, edibles, and vape juices.
What is CBD Vape Oil?
Vape products entered the market around 20 years ago and have become increasingly popular among tobacco and cannabis users. With CBD coming into the spotlight, many consumers turn to vaping CBD as the most effective way to enjoy its plentiful benefits.
CBD vape products contain CBD distillate—an extract from the cannabis plant stripped of all components except CBD and thinned out to consume it through a vape pen.
These products are also referred to as vape oil, vape juice, e-liquid, or e-juice.
While CBD distillate is used in other products, such as tinctures and edibles, CBD vape juice has been processed specifically for use in vape devices.
CBD Vaping Effects
Vaping is one of the easiest ways to consume cannabinoids like CBD. What’s more, vaping CBD also supplies a plethora of health benefits and effects.
Scientists report that CBD’s positive health effects include:
Helps Manage Anxiety and Depression
Cannabis is frequently used by patients to combat depression and anxiety. However, the presence of THC also makes it unsuitable to use in many situations.
As CBD does not cause any “high,” it provides relief without interfering with day-to-day life.
Though CBD and THC may not replace SSRIs and other antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications, studies show that a low to moderate dose of CBD can help boost mood by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain.
Panic attacks and other symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders can come on without warning. Vaping is the fastest way to get the calming benefits of CBD to help relieve the mental and physical effects of mood disorders.
CBD Promotes Relaxation and Better Sleep
Melatonin and pharmaceutical sleeping pills, while effective in helping people get some rest, often leave people feeling groggy the following morning.
CBD is an effective sleep aid that doesn’t cause any “hangover” effects. Even sufferers of chronic insomnia find relief in taking CBD before bed, as studies show CBD can reduce the production of cortisol, the stress hormone that contributes to insomnia.
As higher doses of CBD are shown to be most effective in helping sleep (compared to low-moderate doses for daytime use), vaping is particularly useful as it provides the highest and fastest absorption rate.
Provides Pain, Inflammation, and Nausea Relief
CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps fight pain and nausea, making it a useful remedy for many ailments, including headaches, post-exercise muscle strain, and certain chronic pain conditions.
This is the reason medical marijuana strains tend to be higher in CBD. That being said, many chronic pain sufferers don’t have the energy to roll joints or may not feel comfortable using products with any THC content.
Favourably, CBD oil and vaping products are easy to use and provide fast-acting pain relief without the psychoactive effects of THC.
Aids in Quitting Smoking
Cigarette smokers may find CBD vape products to be useful tools in helping them quit smoking.
CBD helps to combat anxiety, nausea, and other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, and the act of vaping can satisfy the oral fixation some smokers struggle with.
Benefits of Vaping CBD
There are many ways to enjoy CBD products, with each method offering different rates of bioavailability (the percentage of active product absorbed into the system). Let’s review how vaping compares to other products on the market.
Vaping vs Pills and Edibles
Eating CBD products is an easy and delicious way to enjoy the benefits of CBD.
CBD can be added to baked goods and gummies or contained within capsules. However, because edibles must pass through the digestive system, it also takes at least 45 minutes to feel the onset of effects and some of the CBD’s bioavailability is lost during the digestive process.
Contrarily, vaping allows CBD to enter the bloodstream for maximum efficacy rapidly.
Vaping vs Oral Tinctures
CBD oil tinctures are one of the most popular forms of CBD. CBD distillate is dissolved into a carrier oil (usually MCT oil) and taken sublingually using a dropper and held under the tongue for 1-2 minutes until it is absorbed.
Oral tinctures are a good option for anyone who prefers not to use inhalation methods of taking CBD. In addition, they are more effective than edibles as they bypass the digestive system.
However, CBD is hydrophobic, meaning its absorption can be disrupted by saliva. On the other hand, vaping sends CBD directly into the lungs, where it is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
Vaping vs Topicals
Because CBD can’t permeate skin all the way to the bloodstream, cannabis topicals are generally used for different reasons than ingestion forms. Topical CBD is used to relieve muscle aches and pains, as well as skin ailments such as psoriasis and eczema.
Vaping can be used in conjunction with cannabis topicals as part of a pain management system. Vaped CBD enters the bloodstream to fight inflammation, and topical CBD absorbs into the skin to relieve muscle aches.
Choosing the Right CBD Vape Oil
CBD vape oil comes in assorted flavours and concentrations, making shopping for products a bit intimidating for newcomers.
For instance, there are broad-spectrum CBD and full-spectrum CBD oils. They contain small amounts of THC (not enough to cause psychoactive effects) but may show up on drug tests.
In addition, there are CBD vape juices made with CBD isolate – the purest form of CBD with non-detectable traces of THC.
Finally, there are CBD distillates, highly refined CBD extracts that have gone through a distillation process to remove THC.
Many CBD e-liquids are infused with fruity, sweet, or minty flavours. However, many high-quality unflavoured products are available as well, making them a favourable choice if discretion is a concern.
All in all, vaping CBD offers the highest bioavailability and absorption rate compared to other forms of CBD, as well as some delicious flavours.
The best way to find out which CBD form is best for you is to start slow, try a few methods, and, most importantly, listen to your body.
The advice included in this guide is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any ailments. If you’re interested in using CBD for any medical reasons, please discuss it with your doctor, as it could interact with any existing medications.
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