CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the most popular natural remedies used to treat various ailments, from chronic pain to anxiety and depression. The compound has been used in medicine, religious rituals, and everyday life for millennia, and it still remains popular now despite cannabis restrictions across the country and around the world.
While CBD can be taken in various forms, including capsules, tinctures, and topicals, CBD vapes have become increasingly popular in recent years for multiple reasons.
CBD vapes are, as you may have already guessed, vaping devices prefilled with CBD oil. The process of vaping involves inhaling the vapor produced by these devices, which then gets absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs.
Just like nicotine vapes or cannabis cartridges, CBD vapes are on the rise. These devices offer effects and advantages that other forms of CBD consumption do not. Let’s take a closer look.
Although CBD can be consumed in many forms, vaping CBD has some pros that other methods just can’t beat.
CBD vapes take effect almost instantly, as the cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs within minutes. Other consumption methods, such as CBD edibles, can take up to two hours to kick in, and although they do create longer lasting effects, that onset time can be inconvenient or uncomfortable looking for immediate relief from ailments like pain or stress.
Other forms of inhalation, such as CBD flower or pre-rolls, also offer this quick kick in. However, actually burning hemp flower isn't as convenient as vaping. Smoking it outdoors, for one, may raise suspicion, and even though cannabis use is slowly being accepted in society, there’s still some resistance.
Law enforcement in some states, for example, can reprimand you for smoking hemp-derived CBD outdoors if they confuse it for marijuana. If smokable CBD is legal in your state, you likely won't have legal repercussions, but at the end of the day, getting searched or having to wait on lab testing simply isn't ideal.
With CBD vapes, you can vape anywhere that also allows nicotine-based vapes, such as patios, streets, and indoor areas. Additionally, if you live in a non-smoking building, the smell of CBD flower may cause problems with a landlord or family member. Vaping CBD is discreet, convenient, and much easier than rolling or packing bowls. With CBD vapes, you can lay in bed and smoke indoors—no more coating up during the winter or shoving towels under your door. Just sit back, relax, and let the vape work its CBD magic.
Other than the previously mentioned advantages of vaping CBD as opposed to eating or smoking it, CBD itself is a tremendously beneficial plant. It hasn’t, after all, been passed down through generations for nothing.
Let’s explore CBD’s benefits and effects a little more in depth.
CBD, like all cannabinoids, works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including sleep, mood, appetite, memory, and pain. The ECS consists of two primary receptors, CB1 and CB2, both of which are located throughout the body. When CBD is consumed, it interacts with these receptors, helping to regulate and balance the body's functions.
As the compound continues to interact with endocannabinoid receptors, it results in some effects and benefits, including pain relief, anxiety and stress reduction, improved sleep quality, reduced inflammation, neuroprotective effects, and lowered blood pressure.
Although the research on CBD speaks to its medicinal properties, it is important to note that cannabidiol is not a cure-all solution for every ailment. It can lessen pain, anxiety, and inflammation, yes, but it cannot treat, cure, or prevent them.
When using CBD for a medical purpose, it should always be used as a complementary therapy alongside other treatments, and you should always consult with a healthcare professional before using CBD for any condition.
There are three different types of CBD vapes, because there are three main types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. While all CBD contains more or less the same properties, these three main types all have their own differences, and it’s all due to extraction processes.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all the benefits of CBD, but also the benefits of other elements found naturally in the hemp plant, such as terpenes and traces of other cannabinoids like THC. The full-spectrum formula has been found to be the most beneficial of the three, as it contains more benefits left behind by traces of other compounds.
Another reason full-spectrum CBD is more beneficial than other formulas is that it allows for the entourage effect to occur. This term refers to a natural phenomenon where other elements in cannabis work in synergy to enhance each other’s effects. So, terpenes, for example, have their own set of effects, from relaxation to inflammation reduction.
As these compounds interact with CBD to heighten its effects, CBD also interacts with the terpenes to enhance theirs. This creates a fuller range of benefits that can be especially helpful for those dealing with mood or anxiety disorders or pain.
We know you’re probably wondering if those little traces of THC make full-spectrum CBD a little psychoactive. The answer is probably not. Although it does contain trace amounts of THC, full-spectrum CBD is highly unlikely to produce any psychoactive effects. If it does, they will be so mild that you might not even notice.
Broad-spectrum CBD, similarly to the full-spectrum formal, contains all the cannabinoids found in natural hemp, except for THC. This type of CBD oil ranks second on the list of most beneficial. The presence of other elements still allows for the entourage effect, but the exclusion of CBD means there is absolutely no chance of any psychoactive effects, as small as they may be.
CBD isolate, as its name suggests, is an isolated form of CBD. There are no traces of terpenes, cannabinoids, or other natural elements. This stuff is pure, concentrated CBD. Although it’s the least beneficial because it contains no other benefits apart from CBD, this is an ideal formula for those who want to consume CBD exclusively.
Want to know everything there is to know about CBD in under 30 seconds? Don’t worry, we have you covered! Take a look at this:
Full-Spectrum CBD: Contains THC, Contains other elements and terpenes, Allows for the entourage effect, and Contains the benefits of CBD.
Broad-Spectrum CBD: Does not contain THC, Contains other elements and terpenes, Allows for the entourage effect, and Contains the benefits of CBD.
CBD Isolate: Does not contain THC, Does not contain other elements and terpenes, Does not allow for the entourage effect, but does contain the benefits of CBD.
Now that you know a little more about the different types of CBD, let’s take a more detailed look at the Endocannabinoid System.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids that are responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. The ECS is involved in regulating a wide range of physiological processes, including mood, pain, inflammation, appetite, and sleep.
The system contains two main endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system and are responsible for regulating pain, mood, and appetite. CB2 receptors are primarily located in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells and are responsible for regulating inflammation and immune function. The endocannabinoid system also produces and regulates its own cannabinoids.
When CBD is consumed, it interacts with both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body, helping to regulate and balance these physiological processes, hence its many positive effects.
While CBD is generally considered safe, consuming any substance can have some potential side effects.
While CBD is generally well-tolerated, some people may experience side effects when vaping CBD, including dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, and changes in appetite or weight. These side effects are typically mild and resolve on their own.
Additionally, the act of vaping has been linked to damaging lung health and some long-term effects, so be sure to exercise caution and restraint when using any vaping product.
It's important to start with a low dose of CBD and gradually increase the dosage until the desired effects are achieved. It's also important to note that CBD can interact with other medications, so it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before using CBD alongside other medications.
Although CBD has been known to the scientific community for almost a century, research on its many effects is still ongoing. What does the newest research say about CBD?
There is a growing body of research supporting the use of CBD as a treatment for various ailments, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and insomnia. A recent study also found that CBD may be effective in reducing drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people with opioid addiction.
In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, its first ever CBD-based medicine created to treat seizures associated with rare and severe forms of epilepsy. This marked the first ever FDA-approved drug containing a purified drug substance derived from cannabis.
According to a team of researchers in Chicago, CBD may even be able to prevent COVID-19. The research team has suggested clinical trials for CBD’s prevention of the virus based on promising animal data.
However, we should stress that all of this research is preliminary and except for Epidiolex, none of it has been proven to be effective in humans on a large scale. Animal drug trials rarely, if ever, translate successfully into humans. While we are hopeful, we don’t want anyone going out and skipping their doctor appointment for a batch of CBD. Please visit your doctor if you are ill.
Vaping CBD offers quick relief and a more bioavailable form of CBD, making it an attractive option for many people. However, there are some concerns about the safety of vaping CBD, including the potential for harmful contaminants and the long-term effects on lung health.
Importance of Consulting a Doctor Before Using CBD
Before using CBD for any condition, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional, who can provide guidance on proper dosing and potential interactions with other medications.
While CBD can be consumed in various forms, vaping CBD offers some unique advantages, including quick relief and a more bioavailable form of CBD. However, it's important to weigh the potential risks and benefits before choosing to vape CBD.
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