Vaping CBD oil is a popular method of getting the effects of marijuana, but there are some things you should know before you start vaping. From the basics of what CBD oil is to the best way to vape and how to choose your products, here are some of the most important things to know.
1. What CBD Is
CBD stands for cannabidiol, and this is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that is found in the cannabis plant and hemp. CBD has been associated with potential therapeutic effects and is increasing in popularity.
Today, you can find CBD in a range of forms, from oils to vape juice to edibles to topical creams.
2. CBD Is Not Psychoactive
You should know that CBD is not psychoactive, so vaping CBD oil should not produce any psychoactive effects. The psychoactive component in cannabis is THC, tetrahydrocannabinol.
Keep in mind, however, that CBD oils may have up to 0.3 percent THC content, which is the legal limit to be classified as hemp-based and therefore be legal across the country. This is not usually enough for the average person to notice psychoactive effects, but there is still an incredibly small chance that it will.
3. CBD Does Not Show Up on Drug Tests
Most drug tests check for THC and its derivatives, not CBD. Because of this, if you vape CBD oil, it will not show up in a drug test.
This comes with the same caveat as the previous point about psychoactive effects. CBD oil can contain trace amounts of THC, up to 0.3 percent. This may be enough to show up on a drug test. As such, if you need to be able to pass a drug test, you should always opt for CBD vape oil that is THC-free and has lab testing to prove this.
4. CBD Is Legal
Part of the reason that drug tests do not typically check for CBD is that this cannabinoid is legal in most areas. It is permitted at the federal level in the United States, but states can introduce laws on CBD. North Dakota, Idaho, and Nebraska, for example, had restrictions recently, and those may still be in effect.
Of course, CBD is always legal in states where marijuana is legal. It should be legal in all other states, thanks to the 2018 Hemp Farming Act, but it is worth confirming that your state does not have a law to counter this.
5. What CBD Oil Is
CBD oil is a tincture form of CBD. It usually features CBD extract from hemp and sometimes from cannabis, combined with a carrier oil. MCT oil, which comes from coconuts, is a prevalent carrier oil.
6. Not All CBD Oil Is Good for Vaping
Perhaps one of the most important things you need to know before vaping CBD oil is that not all CBD oil is appropriate for vaping. This is very important because it is a matter of safety, and not all CBD products will have detailed labels telling you how you can and cannot use the solution.
To be safe, you should only use CBD oil that is labelled for use for vaping or inhalation when vaping CBD. Look for the following terms on your products, so you know they are safe to vape.
CBD Vape Juice
While some products called CBD oils will be safe for vaping, it is much safer to opt for products marketed as CBD vape juice or even CBD distillates. CBD oil that is safe for vaping will not technically contain oil, and referring it to as oil is simply a common phrasing, not necessarily accurate.
CBD vape juices and distillates are usually made using food-grade ingredients. As such, they are frequently safe for inhalation as well as ingestion, although you should always carefully read the label before using any CBD product to confirm its purpose.
As you look at the ingredient list, it would likely feature CBD extract, PG, VG, cannabinoids, or terpenes. Do not inhale something that contains actual oils.
CBD Cartridges
You can also avoid directly buying the CBD vape juice or oil altogether and just buy the already-filled cartridges instead. These are disposable tanks that contain CBD e-juice and are very similar to e-cigarette tanks or THC cartridges. They will work with standard vape pens, and you can find versions for most of your favourite vape pens, including the most popular brands.
7. How Much to Use
You will not know how much CBD you should consume until you have already had some, as everyone reacts differently. The amount you should take will depend on your body chemistry, metabolism, tolerance, and body weight. As such, you may need a very different amount of CBD than someone else to feel the same effects.
Additionally, it is hard to measure how much CBD you consume when you vape because it will depend on how you inhale.
As a general rule of thumb, most puffs from a vape cartridge with 100 milligrams of CBD will give you one to two milligrams of CBD. This increases slightly with tanks or vape pens, but that depends on the device.
8. Start With a Low Dose
Because the ideal dosing for CBD varies, your best option is to start with a smaller dose and work your way up to a larger dose. The first time you vape CBD oil, start with one or two milligrams. Wait to take a second dose for around six hours or until the next day.
You can increase the dose by around 5 milligrams the next time you vape. If that is not enough, keep increasing it by about 5 milligrams. To find your ideal dose, you will need to pay close attention to your reaction and how you feel. Once you notice the positive effects that you wanted, stick to that dose.
On average, most people end up taking 10 to 30 milligrams of CBD each day, but many people take more or less than this. Some people who need serious relief will even take up to 1,000 mg each day.
9. Potential Side Effects
Before you consume anything, you should always be aware of its potential side effects and CBD is no different. Although research into CBD and its consequences are still in the early stages, we do know that there are minimal side effects for most people.
The most common side effect is a bit of drowsiness, but this tends to become less bothersome as you continue to use CBD. Additionally, the sleepiness is associated more closely with higher doses of CBD.
It is also possible to experience red eyes, hunger, or slight euphoria. Overall, the side effects of CBD are usually much less than those of prescription medications.
Allergens
If you have any allergies, you should pay close attention to the ingredient list on any CBD vape oil you buy. Some people have allergies to vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol, which are the main chemicals in e-liquid.
If you are sensitive to these, you may experience headaches, nausea, or sinus irritation. An allergic reaction is also possible.
The good news is that as long as you are not allergic to these ingredients, which are also common in other things, or cannabis, you are unlikely to be allergic to your choice of vape oil.
10. You Will Not Overdose
Even with the mild potential side effects, it is good to know that you cannot overdose on CBD. So far, there are no documented cases of this happening and research indicates that it has very low toxicity. Research suggests that a person would likely need to consume hundreds of times the daily average dose (of 30 milligrams) over a short amount of time to overdose, and you are incredibly unlikely ever to consume that much.
11. Understanding Lab Testing
Before you even buy your CBD oil to vape, you should be fully aware of lab testing, including its importance. There is minimal regulation of CBD products, so there is no right way to tell whether you are buying a quality product.
The best CBD manufacturers and retailers have overcome this by hiring independent labs for third-party testing. These tests confirm that the CBD oils have the concentrations listed on the label, both CBD and THC. They also confirm that the products do not have contaminants or synthetic chemicals that could be harmful.
Only Get Lab-tested Products
To ensure that you get a reputable product that is safe to consume, you should only buy CBD vape juice that has been lab-tested. Ideally, the results will be readily available where you purchase the products, and the testing will have been done by an independent lab, so there is no risk of bias.
12. What Else to Look for in CBD Vape Oil
In addition to the lab testing, you want to look for other indications that the CBD oil comes from a trustworthy source. Take the time to research the company’s reputation to ensure it is mostly positive with strong reviews.
13. What You Need to Vape CBD Oil
Before you can vape CBD oil, you will need the proper gear, in addition to the vape juice itself. You need some type of vaporizer, either a vape pen or a larger unit that sits on a table. Vape pens are popular for their portability and discretion, but tabletop vaporizers have their appeal.
Vape Pens
Vape pens feature a chamber where you place the oil, a heating element or atomizer, a battery, and a mouthpiece. The heating element vaporizes the e-juice, and you then inhale the vapour via the mouthpiece.
The only thing to remember with vape pens is that you will occasionally need to replace the coils as they start to burn out. If you do not replace the coils, they will begin to oxidize, and you may inhale some nanoparticles from that.
Tank-style Vapes
Tank-style vapes have a similar design to vape pens but are a bit bulkier. In those, the heating coils are covered in silica, nylon, or cotton wick. You can get a disposable or reusable tank-style pen, the latter of which you fill with the CBD e-liquid of your choice.
14. You Need to Clean Your Vape
It is essential to know that you will have to clean your vape pen occasionally. Otherwise, you may find yourself inhaling metal nanoparticles, mould, or bacteria. Depending on your frequency of use, you should probably clean your vape about twice a week.
You can use white vinegar to clean most of these vapes. Start by removing the power unit and shaking out any excess moisture. Put the steam unit in a bowl upright, then fill it with vinegar, stopping before it reaches the battery compartment. Soak it for 10 minutes or more before wiping out the inside and outside.
If you want to disinfect it even more, you can fill the reservoir with some water, adding a teaspoon of bleach. Let this soak for 20 minutes before rinsing well. Don’t forget to thoroughly clean the steam unit that you soaked in vinegar as well. Make sure to dry it thoroughly after.
Most vapes will also come with cleaning instructions, which you can follow.
15. You Can Vape CBD without Vape Juice
If you want to vape CBD but are not sure whether you want vape juice, there are some other options. You can get a vaporizer, or vape pen that accepts CBD concentrates or raw buds. Then, you could use it with your favourite CBD concentrate, after ensuring that the concentrate in question is safe to inhale. If you use a bud, you could opt for a CBD-rich hemp flower that should be legal everywhere. If you live in a state with legal marijuana, you could vape a CBD-rich marijuana strain.
16. You Can Consume CBD in Other Ways
In addition to vaping, there are also plenty of other ways you can consume CBD, so do not think of this as your only option. You can also smoke high-CBD flowers, consume edibles, take an oral tincture, use a topical, or make use of concentrate.
