Are you looking for a quick and convenient way to meet your daily CBD requirements?
Well, then you’ve come to the right place. Because today, I’ll talk about everything you need to know about vaping and why it is the ideal way for beginners to step into the world of CBD.
Hey everyone, it’s Matt again. And today, I’ll take a step back from my usual routine and talk about the intricacies of vaping CBD.
In recent times, I’ve had a lot of requests from my new readers about vaping and related products. And so, I’ve decided to put all the queries to rest with this extensive guide.
Now, let’s get started, shall we?
Vaping CBD – Why is it popular?
To answer this question, we need to first look at the benefits of vaping CBD.
Firstly, it is one of the quickest ways to consume CBD. While edible forms of CBD usually take at least 30 minutes to act, vaping is almost instantaneous.
Sure, the sublingual way of consuming CBD oil tinctures is also quick acting, but the natural taste can sometimes be overwhelming for beginners.
I remember when I started consuming CBD, I was advised by a friend to start with a natural flavored CBD oil tincture. As soon as I put it under my tongue, I puked out the entire oil. Yea, the taste was atrocious! And certainly not something a beginner would like.
Unless you’re Bear Grylls, I suggest going down an easier route.
After being flustered by my first CBD experience, I decided to do some research which led me to discover vaping.
Since I have a history with smoking cigarettes (I don’t smoke cigarettes now, nor did I smoke when I started consuming CBD), I took to vaping in a breeze. It was not only quick to act but also easy to consume. And those are the reasons why I stuck to vaping for a while.
But as easy as it may seem, vaping comes with many complexities. And after a week of consuming CBD this way, I soon found out that the vaping game cuts deep.
Types of CBD Vape Equipments
This is where it gets complex. And believe you me, a lot depends on choosing the right equipment.
1. Pen-style vapes
This is the most common vaping equipment you’ll find on the market. And it is also the first equipment I used when I started consuming CBD.
The vape pen I bought wasn’t of the disposable type. It was primarily designed for smoking CBD isolate. This type of vaping equipment usually has a chamber with a metal heating coil. And it is the heating coil which vaporizes the isolate.
Now, there is an obvious drawback to this type of pen-style vape. Since some residue is collected in the heating coil, it needs to be changed periodically. And each time, you need to shell out upwards of $ 20.
That brings me to disposable vapes. As soon as I learned that I had to spend $ 30 to replace the metal coil, I started looking into alternatives.
And that’s when I discovered disposable vape pens. Leading CBD brands like CBDISTILLERY, CBDfx sells disposable products which come with flavored oils or CBD isolate.
Now, at first glance, it may not seem too economical. However, if you want to maintain your non-disposable vape pen properly, the disposable option doesn’t seem too bad.
And that’s not the only thing in favor of disposable pens. Over time, the metal coil of the non-disposable variant can break down and get oxidized through prolonged use. If that happens, you might run the risk of inhaling potentially poisonous metal nanoparticles.
2. Tank-style Vapes
You must’ve seen some vape kits produce thick white clouds of smoke. That is usually possible with a tank-style vape.
These vape kits don’t support CBD isolates. Instead, you need to fill up the cartridge with CBD e-liquid. This e-liquid is usually a mixture of Propylene Glycol or Vegetable Glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring and of course, CBD.
While it may not need frequent replacement of the metal heating coil, tank-style vapes do have a big drawback.
Since you’re only limited to vape oils which come with a host of additives, you’re essentially vaping extra substances. And some of them may be harmful.
Moreover, the maximum dissolution rate of CBD in an e-liquid is only 33 mg per ml. And bear in mind, that’s the highest possible concentration. So, you need to consume a full ml of e-liquid to get a standard dose of 20 – 30 mg of CBD.
In contrast, 1 puff of a CBD concentrate pen contains almost the same amount of CBD as 20 puffs from an e-liquid vape.
Honestly, I’ve never owned a tank-style vaping kit. But, I’ve used them occasionally. Although I cannot quite verify the 20:1 potency theory, I can surely say that concentrate pens are much more effective.
Differences Between CBD E-Liquids and CBD Oil Tinctures
If you’re new to the world of CBD, pay very close attention to this section. CBD e-liquids and CBD oil tinctures are two different things. Never switch one for the other.
CBD Oil tinctures usually contain CBD oil with a carrier oil, which in most cases is coconut oil. Some flavored CBD oil tinctures additionally come with natural flavor extracts.
CBD e-liquids, on the other hand, contain a mixture of Propylene Glycol or Vegetable Glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring, and CBD oil.
So, naturally, you can’t consume CBD e-liquids sublingually, neither can you use oil tinctures in vaping kits without mixing it with an e-liquid first.
Apart from their constitution, the ingestion process is also very different. You can only use CBD e-liquids in vaping kits. On the other hand, CBD oil tinctures are meant to be consumed sublingually. However, in some cases, you can mix a CBD oil tincture with an e-liquid and vape it. But, I wouldn’t advise it for beginners.
Health Concerns with Vaping CBD
Although vaping might be one of the more preferable ways of consuming CBD, it does come with a few health concerns, which I’ve listed below.
Metal Contaminants
Since the heating elements of CBD vaping kits are usually some form of metal or metal alloy, it can get oxidized and become part of the smoke you’re inhaling.
According to a study conducted in Greece, it was found that the metals emitted from electronic cigarettes are less harmful compared to smoking cigarettes. However, the same study said that it can still be a cause for concern for nonsmokers.
Now, the threat of metal contaminants can be diminished if not nullified by using high-end equipment, which uses quartz or ceramic heating elements. But, you must pay attention to the build while purchasing as some products have exposed metal wire wrapped around the heating core.
In case of metal heating coils, it is probably safest to go for a vape with cotton or quartz wick and stainless steel, Kanthal (an alloy of iron, aluminum, and chromium) or titanium heating coils. On the other hand, vapes made from borosilicate glass and stainless steel should be avoided.
Potential Allergens in CBD E-Liquids
As I said before, apart from CBD oil, Propylene Glycol and Vegetable glycerin are the two main chemicals present in e-liquids.
Some people who are allergic to these chemicals might notice problems like headaches, nausea, or sinus irritation. In some serious cases, individuals can develop swelling and have difficulty breathing.
If you notice any allergic reactions, it is best to shift to concentrate vaping kits or change your method of ingestion altogether.
Things to Keep in Mind While Purchasing Vaping Products
1. Don’t be swayed by the Price
If you’re dead serious about vaping, don’t be shy to splurge on quality equipment. Since vaping comes with some health concerns, it is best to go for high-end stuff to diminish the risks.
The market is riddled with cheap options which can not only break down easily but also add unwanted contaminants to the smoke. So, I’d advise you to spend the extra cash and buy something worthwhile.
2. Check the Contents of the E-Liquid
The first thing you need to check is the amount of CBD in the vaping liquid. Remember, if you want an effective dose of CBD (20 – 30 mg), it is best to go for a concentrated product.
3. Never Sign Up for Free Samples
I’ll just go right ahead and say – free samples are a scam! These websites will take your credit card details and won’t deliver on their promises. So, if you come across a shady site like that, it’s best to avoid it.
However, if you want to take stern action against them, do thorough background research first. In case you find something wrong, you can report them to popular CBD pages on social media.
4. Read Online Reviews
If you come across a tempting deal, make sure you read genuine reviews about the product before you think about purchasing it. You can go to CBD forums, check YouTube reviews and read CBD related social media pages to find out more.
Final words:
That brings us to an end. Phew, that was quite long, wasn’t it? But, I enjoyed writing it nonetheless. It brought back a lot of memories of the good ol’ days.
Now, remember, while vaping is a simple and convenient option to consume CBD, it comes with baggage. So, unless you’re willing to go the extra mile, I would advise you to try other ways to ingest CBD.
