Three cons of using CBD Vape pens you should know about today

CBD oil has its many uses, but is vaping the best way to reap its benefits? Consuming tobacco, THC or CBD has recently been linked to many reports of people seriously damaging their bodies, and some cases even leading to death. So, what are some disadvantages to getting your CBD treatment this way?

A vape or vaporizer heats an extract of sorts into a vapor that is inhaled. Vaporizers come in different shapes and sizes but most are in a pen or a small pipe shape. These ‘pens’ are attractive because they are discrete, don’t smell, deliver a specific dose and are easy to use. The CBD in vape pens is not CBD oil heated into vapor, but more of an extract specifically made to be vaporized.

Many people encounter feeling the effects of CBD faster through vaping. This is because it is processed through the lungs, as opposed to swallowing an oil that would be processed by the liver first. Using such a pen is very different from using a marijuana or THC vape pen, which makes people high.

CBD in vape pens do not contain THC and so will not produce any psychoactive effects. CBD or cannabidiol is an extract of the hemp or marijuana plant. The CBD that is legally covered under the 2018 Hemp Farming Act must come from hemp, and not from the marijuana plant. Also, the CBD must contain 0.3% THC or less, for it to be considered legal.

The difference between CBD and THC has to do with how our body receives these compounds. THC is received by CB1 cells in the endocannabinoid system in our bodies. While CBD is received by CB2 receptors. Endocannabinoids are cannabis-like molecules that are naturally produced by the human body.  

Cannabis presents itself by mimicking our endocannabinoids; and its receptors, including CB1 and CB2, are in our skin, immune cells, bone, fat tissue, liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, heart, blood vessels, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. CB1 cells are mostly responsible for memory, sense of time, cognition and so when consuming THC, it reacts by altering our perception, which could be a euphoric feeling, or being ‘high’. 

CBD works with the CB2 receptors, which manage a variety of processes including stress, sleep, immune function, and inflammation. And so, CBD will not produce a ‘high’ but may help with anxiety, pain management, acne, and other issues.

Below are three issues you should be aware of when considering using CBD vape pens: 

Ingredients

Many chose CBD vaping as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. According to Cool Things Chicago, smokers who choose to use CBD inhalants reported that they reduced smoking cigarettes by up to 40%. But not all vapes are made with beneficial ingredients.

CBD vape oil is not an oil product, nor should it be. What is sometimes referred to as CBD vape juice is the compound extracted or distilled into a liquid meant for vaporizing? The problem is the additives that are used in the vaporizer may not be safe for consumption. Some dangerous ingredients include cough syrup, MCT oil, and vitamin E; all which are dangerous to the body when smoked.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that some CBD products sold by a publicly-traded company contained an illegal synthetic compound called 5F-ADB. This chemical which is also found in illegal synthetic marijuana known as “K2” and “Spice,” may produce adverse side effects such as paranoia and panic attacks, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, convulsions, organ damage, and even death.

Bootleg

It may be cheaper to buy a CBD vape pen from a local corner store, but this is not the safest. Because CBD is an unregulated supplement, many manufacturers are creating products that may not even contain CBD. Also, some CBD products use THC in their vaporizers and report that their CBD is pure.

Seven people in a San Francisco county were recently hospitalized for pneumonia-like symptoms due to inhaling a potentially fatal lung toxin from CBD vape pens. According to the SFGate website, those hospitalized bought CBD oil cartridges from pop-up shops and reported feeling breathless, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, fatigue, and confusion.

CBD affects organs all over the body, including skin and muscles, therefore, if one has a sensitivity to it, other symptoms will arise. 

According to Kyro, some symptoms include increased heart rate, lower blood pressure, redness in the eyes, decreased digestion, fatigue, nausea, irritability, a change in appetite, tiredness, and diarrhea.

Potential Hospitalization

Vape pens are a very popular way to consume CBD because It is possible to feel the effects immediately, as consuming the cannabinoid this way is rapidly absorbed by the body. According to Healthcare Weekly, vaping CBD effects may last anywhere from two to four hours, because it enters the body directly through the lungs and reacts with the endocannabinoid system quickly. 

CBD vapes, however, have recently been in the news for causing hundreds of hospitalizations nationwide. More than 450 possible cases of lung ailments due to vaping were recently reported to the Center for Disease Control. Also, six people have died from vaping. The CDC said that many patients said that they vaped using products with liquids that contain cannabinoids. Patients reported symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and weight loss; which developed over a few days to a few weeks.

Conclusion: Quality Matters

CBD is a treatment for many issues, and as such it is best to get a CBD vape pen from a reputable source. Not all inhalants are toxic, however, more research is being conducted about why some vapes are more dangerous than others.

Some tips to look out for when considering CBD vaping:

• Be wary of roadside pop-up shops and trucks, unless you are familiar with the brands being sold.
• Review the ingredients, if it contains something you aren’t familiar with, research to see if it is safe.
• If you are allergic to other forms of CBD such as ingested CBD oil, you will most likely be allergic to a vape as well.
• Consult with a licensed practitioner or a dispensary for dosing and other important information.
• Research each brand before consuming, and ensure that their product has not been reported to have harmful ingredients.