Introduction

Vaping has been the rage for the last several years and has become a good alternative to smoking or consuming other similarly harmful substances. Vaping was initially popularized for the purpose of vaping tobacco, as it provides a healthier alternative to smoking and has also been suggested as a helpful aid for quitting smoking. A study by Hajek, Phillips-Waller, Przulj et al in 2019 (A Randomized Trial of E-Cigarettes versus Nicotine-Replacement Therapy) compared vaping e-cigarettes to alternative nicotine replacement therapies in two controlled groups as a means of smoking cessation. They found that the group who used vapes were almost twice as likely to quit smoking as those who used alternative nicotine replacement therapies (18% 1-year smoking abstinence rate in the vape group vs 9.9% in the alternative nicotine therapy replacement group).

Vaping CBD oil is a recent phenomenon that is becoming increasingly popular in the UK with each passing day. While most of you may be aware of CBD in general and the more common CBD delivery methods on the market, such as topical CBD creams, CBD oil and CBD capsules, not many are as clued up when it comes to CBD vape oil. Consequently, this article will aim to outline what exactly CBD vape oil (or CBD e-liquid, as it is also known) is and the benefits that it can bring to your daily life.

What is CBD Vape Oil?

Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is derived from hemp or cannabis and is among more than 100 phytocannabinoids derived from cannabis. CBD is known for its multitude of medicinal and therapeutic properties. Crucially, unlike its close cousin THC, it also does not have any intoxicating effect on the person consuming it. This opens up a plethora of avenues from a medical perspective as the main culprit for the induction of side effects (THC) has been removed from the equation. CBD vape oil, like the more commonly available CBD oil in tincture form may look very similar in terms of the product, packaging and consistency, but there are major differences that everyone should be aware of.

CBD vape oil typically comes in cartridges that are inserted into the vaping device or an e-cigarette with an inbuilt vaporizer to convert the CBD vape oil from its liquid form to vapour form. Vaping CBD oil is more convenient than other delivery methods, such as CBD oil in tincture form that can be tricky and inconvenient. CBD vape oil is also one of the fastest delivery methods available, as the CBD is directly delivered into the bloodstream through the lungs.

What is the difference between CBD Vape Oil and CBD oil?

As mentioned, while CBD e liquid and CBD oil in tincture form may look very similar – often both coming in glass bottles – they are very different products and they should not be confused.

Typical CBD oil, in tincture form, is generally manufactured through the combination of CBD extract, be it full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate and a food-grade oil (typically hemp, olive or coconut oil). These CBD products are not designed to be exposed to high heats, as is required for vaporisation. If you were to try and vape regular CBD oil, the results may well be unpleasant and possibly even harmful to both the user and the vaporising device.

CBD vape oils or CBD E-liquids, on the other hand, are normally made by combining CBD extract with a thinning agent such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) or medium chain triglyceride (MCT). These thinning agents thin the liquid to the point where it can be effectively vaporised. This results in a clean vapor fit for inhalation.

How does vaping CBD oil feel?

Vaping CBD oil is very different to many other CBD delivery methods and many first-time users are curious about how it actually feels when vaping CBD. One often assumes that as the CBD oil used in different delivery methods is the same, the effect and feelings associated with CBD consumption would also be the same despite the different delivery methods.

This is certainly not the case, as the effectiveness and benefits of CBD can vary dramatically depending on the chosen delivery method. CBD creams and transdermal CBD patches, for example, are applied topically on the skin. Consequently, these products are designed to release CBD slowly into our skin via our outer membrane. This topical application method is effective but relatively slow, and the effect of CBD can be felt only after several hours have passed. When consuming CBD sublingually, in CBD oil tincture form, it tends to be a slightly more effective delivery method, as the CBD is absorbed into our system through the capillary-rich, porous membrane area beneath our tongue.

On the other hand, CBD E-liquid is directly delivered into the lungs and almost instantaneously enters the bloodstream. Vaping CBD oil remains the fastest delivery method. Furthermore, vaping CBD is also one of the most efficient delivery methods in terms of its bioavailability. When taking CBD topically or sublingually there is almost always a significant percentage of CBD that does make its’ way to the necessary areas of the body (our CB1 and CB2 receptors).

Benefits of vaping CBD Oil

Convenience

Vaping CBD oil is more convenient than other delivery methods as all you need to do is get your vaping device and push a button. You can vape CBD oil at any time without any prior preparation. Most vaping devices or e-cigarettes as they are known are quite small to carry and can be used anywhere.

Pain relief

CBD oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Some studies also suggest that CBD oil can help with chronic pain and conditions that are often the cause of said chronic pain, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Fibromyalgia. Taking into account the rapid nature of delivery when it comes to vaping CBD oil, this is a terrific choice when it comes to quickly alleviating the pain caused by whatever ailment may be troubling you.

Additionally, it is a well-known fact that CBD interacts with serotonin receptors to fasten the production of serotonin. This was confirmed in Hideaki Obata’s 2017 study ‘Analgesic Mechanisms of Antidepressants for Neuropathic Pain’. Serotonin is an essential chemical compound in our body and brain associated with happiness and leads to a reduction in pain sensation.

Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

There is some evidence to suggest that CBD can help those suffering from depression or anxiety. A study conducted by Bergamaschi, Queiroz, Chagas et al in 2011 (Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients) found that CBD can help reduce the anxiety caused by simulated public speaking. Another study published in 2019 by Nobuo Masataka (Anxiolytic Effects of Repeated Cannabidiol Treatment in Teenagers with Social Anxiety Disorders) found out that CBD can reduce anxiety experienced by teenagers suffering from social anxiety disorders. Mastaka declared that “CBD significantly decreased anxiety”, when measured with both the Fear of Negative Evaluation Questionnaire and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale.

A study by Zanelati, Biojone, Moreira et al in 2010 (Antidepressant-like effects of cannabidiol in mice: possible involvement of 5-HT1A receptors) conducted on mice, led researchers to believe that CBD can have antidepressant effects comparable to the prescribed antidepressant imipramine.

Considering the above studies, we can assume that CBD could feasibly be used as a treatment for depression and anxiety under a trained healthcare professional or a qualified doctor’s supervision.

Helps you quit smoking.

Healthcare practitioners have long used CBD to treat addictions and cravings associated with certain psychoactive substances such as tobacco. Some studies conducted recently suggest that CBD can indeed help those who want to quit smoking. Vaping was initially popularized as a healthy alternative to smoking, and vaping CBD oil will reduce tobacco cravings and help you quit smoking in the long run.

A study published in 2013 by Morgan, Das, Joye, Curran and Kamboj (Cannabidiol reduces cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers: preliminary findings) concluded that CBD reduces cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers by 40%. Another study published in 2018 by Hindocha, Freeman, Grabski et al (Cannabidiol reverses attentional bias to cigarette cues in a human experimental model of tobacco withdrawal), found out that CBD can help reduce the pleasant feelings associated with cigarettes, thus removing the primary incentive for smoking a cigarette.

Conclusion

While there are several methods of consuming CBD, each method has its pros and cons. Vaping CBD oil is more effective than other methods due to various reasons that were outlined in this article. Vaping is the best option for someone who wants almost instant results, without waiting for hours or days.

Vaping CBD oil also can be used as an alternative to tobacco and can be quite helpful if you want to quit smoking. CBD vape oil is also available in various flavours, and one can select the flavour of choice to make the process of vaping even more appealing.

On a more cautionary note, it is important to note the novel nature of vaping in general. The fact that vaping only made its way into the mainstream a little over a decade ago, means that many of the long term health risks are still unknown, so discretion is always advised and as always, with any CBD product – conduct your own research!