CBD or Cannabidiol is the main medicinal compound found in cannabis.
As opposed to THC, the other major ingredient, CBD does not cause any ‘high’ or feelings of euphoria.
Meant for therapeutic use only, it can be taken in many forms including isolated and in combination with other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and THC.
As such, cannabinoids can be extracted in various ways to give you the desired product be it edibles, vape oils, smokeables, or distillates.
However, since CBD, especially, in its isolated form, is primarily consumed for health benefits, a quick onset of its effects is quite crucial.
And this is where vaping, as a safer and faster medium of getting it into the system, comes into the picture.
Vaping is the process of heating and inhaling the cannabis content, mainly vape oils, in a vaporized form.
Done using a vaping device or vaporizer such as a vape pen, it is a relatively safer medium for smoking as it does not involve any burning of the content but only heating it to the level where it starts to vaporize.
These pure cannabis vapors are smoother than the smoke and can be inhaled using the mouthpiece end of the vaping device.
There are numerous types of vaporizers that you can find in the market depending on your requirements and budget. Be it reusable or disposable, there are tons of designs to meet your ends.
Yet, the most important part when it comes to vaping cannabis, or CBD to be specific, are vape oils that contain it in the first place.
Typically sold as vape cartridges, there are many types of CBD-rich vape oils ranging from CBD isolates to broad and full spectrum vape oils.
The major difference is the concentration of CBD and other major cannabinoids. For example, CBD isolates, as the name suggests, are extracts that only contain pure CBD without any sign of other cannabinoids.
Broad-spectrum CBD vape oils have CBD as the main cannabinoid and certain other compounds for a desired effect.
Similarly, full-spectrum CBD oils are those that contain the entire chemical composition of cannabis for an “entourage effect.”
FYI, weed works best when all its chemical compounds and cannabinoids are taken synergistically.
However, like everything else, there are two sides to vaping CBD.
Pros of Vaping CBD
Vaping is a popular choice for taking CBD, especially, for those who take cannabis for medicinal purposes only.
There are multiple reasons that make vaping a preferred way of consuming medical cannabis.
1. Fast absorption
Vaping is one of the fastest methods of taking cannabis, and more importantly, getting its effects.
That is, as soon as you inhale the vapors, they first go to the lungs from where these vapors are quickly absorbed by the bloodstream for a rapid onset of the desired effects.
Although, it is the same with smoking; the difference is that vaping is claimed to be relatively safer due to the lack of combustion and smoke which may be a bit harsher to the throats and lungs.
2. High bioavailability
Along with a faster absorption, vaping also allows for a higher bioavailability of CBD content.
Bioavailability refers to the amount of a drug or other substances, such as CBD in this case, that can enter the bloodstream for an active and desired effect.
Compared to other methods of taking cannabis like eating and drinking which loses about 60-80% of its cannabis content by the time it is digested, vaping is certainly more effective.
3. Easy to use
Vaping is also one of the easiest methods of taking CBD or other cannabinoids into your system.
A simple vape pen or vaping device is all you need to get a hit no matter where you are, that too, without needing any special preparation like grinding the weed as is the case with smoke pipes and bongs.
4. Portable
Available in several styles and designs, most vaporizers are rather compact and portable so they can be used on the go.
For instance, reusable vape pens come with a replaceable or refillable cartridge that you can carry in your pocket just like a pen. Hence, the name “vape pens.”
A few other portable vaping devices include pod mods, disposable vapes, and e-cig vape pens.
5. Controlled and precise dosage
Perhaps the biggest advantage of vaping CBD for medicinal as well as first-time users is the ability to control their dosage more precisely.
Since modern vaping devices come with special mechanisms to control the temperature, they allow you to heat the content to the desired level for the best vapor quality.
6. Variety of flavors
CBD vape juice or oils come in plenty of flavors to please your taste buds and palate.
So if you don’t like the musky or earthy taste of weed, you can always switch to other mouth-friendly flavors like sweet, spicy, fruity, and citrusy.
7. Discretion
Vaporizers, especially portable vape pens are specifically designed for consuming medicinal cannabis (CBD) on the go and in emergency situations such as epileptic seizures.
As such, they usually don’t have a strong odor when compared to dried cannabis flowers.
8. Quality of terpenes
Since vaping involves a controlled heating of the CBD content, it does not burn away all the terpenes in the process.
Terpenes are the main aromatic compounds of a cannabis plant that are known to work in synergy with other cannabinoids to enhance the desired effects.
As opposed to smoking, these terpenes are best activated at certain temperatures which is only possible to maintain through vaping.
Apart from these plentiful benefits, CBD vaping also comes with some side effects.
Cons of Vaping CBD
1. Drowsiness and fatigue
Since CBD is mainly used for medicinal benefits, some of its byproducts are intense relaxation and calmness which can result in laziness, fatigue, or unprompted sleep.
2. Lack of substantial research
As CBD or even cannabis as a whole is somewhat new in the medical community, there is a lack of research regarding the true scope of vaping.
But as the acceptance of weed spreads globally, more and more insights are sure to come out in the near future.
3. Potential health risks
Lack of research has also kept prospective users from using CBD despite all the anecdotal claims.
Some of the potential side effects of vaping may include respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, weight loss, and fever.
Yet, there is a need for more extensive research to understand the potential health risks of vaping weed.
4. Quality control issues
Due to the lack of regulatory compliance, the cannabis market, at present, is flooded with all kinds of products that claim to be useful for health.
To not be lost in the overwhelming number of options, it is important to choose your CBD vapes from an authorized and professional dealer.
5. Vulnerable to contamination
Inauthentic vape products especially vape oils that are not properly regulated or tested may contain harmful additives or contaminants.
At the same time, they can interact with other medications and compromise the desired effects.
6. Shorter duration of effects
Albeit fast and intense, the effects of vaped CBD are rather shorter in duration compared to other mediums such as eating cannabis-infused edibles.
As a result, vaping is something that needs to be done more frequently to maintain its end effects.
7. Social Stigma
Despite the widespread acceptance of weed and its extensive use by our ancestors, there is still a lot of social stigma associated with it.
People, especially those who don’t smoke or use cannabis, may view it negatively as is the case with smoking.
The solution- just ignore them!
8. Cost
Authentic and high-quality vaping devices and oils are relatively more expensive than dry cannabis flowers and other smoking accessories.
But don’t worry! There is a wide range of vaping products that you buy depending on your budget.
E.g., a reusable vaping device that can be used over and over by simply replacing or refilling the vape cartridge.
Conclusion
Vaping CBD is a common practice in the modern pot-using community.
Safer than smoking and faster than eating, it is one of the most efficient ways of taking medicinal cannabis and getting its effects immediately.
As a preferred way of obtaining the effects, there are a plethora of vaporizers and vape oils too that are being sold in the market.
Starting from just $25 or so, these cannabis vaping products come in various styles including portable, reusable, and disposable to name a few.
Along with a wide range of designs, they also offer a diverse taste profile that varies from oil to oil.
Apart from the taste and availability, vaping CBD offers tons of health benefits such as pain relief, stress relief, anti-inflammation, and sleep-induction for those suffering from insomnia or lack of sleep.
