If you are seeking a mellow and fast way to wind down, CBD vape oil might just be your new right-hand man.
Calm, clear-headed, and relaxing, it’s easy to see why this new cannabis product is quickly making its way into the spotlight.
Made from the concentrated essential oil from hemp plants, this cigarette alternative contains cannabidiol (CBD).
The compound is a non-intoxicating compound found only in cannabis. Yet, unlike its more famous sibling, THC, CBD does not cause a psychoactive “high”. Instead, many find that it simply improves mood and promotes alertness.
Yet, relaxation isn’t the only thing the natural supplement can do.
Why vape CBD oil?
There are many reasons to fill your favorite vapor cartridges with CBD oil. A natural e-liquid alternative, CBD is not considered addictive or habit-forming.
Instead, the hemp product offers consumers a calming vibe and a clear-headed experience. Wondering if CBD oil is for you? Here are the top three reasons enthusiasts put it in their vapes:
1. Tobacco alternative
Recently, CBD has been making headlines as a potential nicotine alternative.
In fact, a small trial published in the journal Addictive Behavior back in 2011 found that tobacco consumers given the cannabis compound showed a whopping 40 percent reduction in cigarette consumption.
Of course, it’s important to mention that the study contained only 24 total participants. 12 of which were given an inhaler filled with a CBD oil and 12 were given a placebo. Yet, the result is certainly impressive.
Participants given CBD successfully reduced their nicotine consumption while those given a placebo did not. While more comprehensive trials are needed, this experiment is eye-catching. So, next time you’re craving a cigarette, why not try a little CBD instead?
2. Breakthrough symptom management
One of the most common reasons consumers pick up a CBD vape pen is for fast relief from breakthrough symptoms.
The cannabis compound is often recommended by canna-savvy healthcare providers for a wide variety of different conditions, ranging from pain to inflammation to nausea.
While it is always important to seek the guidance of a healthcare professional when trying new supplements or making changes to your treatment plan, inhaled CBD is often used in conjunction with oral or sublingual CBD when immediate assistance is needed.
3. Stress relief
In low doses, CBD tends to provide a slightly energizing effect without causing jitters or anxiety. In fact, the hemp compound is expected to have strong anxiolytic properties, easing stress and lifting mood.
While the compound has yet to be tested in patients with generalized anxiety, a trial published in Neuropsychopharmacology back in 2011 found that the molecule successfully eased stress and anxiety in participants who had been previously diagnosed with social anxiety disorder.
Benefits of CBD Vape-Oil
Vaporization is just one of several ways to consume CBD oil. Apart from inhaling the concentrate, the supplement can be used in capsules, sublingually, and topically.
Yet, vaping certainly has a few major perks over other consumption methods. First and foremost? It works almost instantly! Here’s the scoop on the benefits of CBD oil:
1. Fast-acting
Vaporization is perhaps the fastest way to experience relief with CBD oil. The effects of the oil begin to take effect in just seconds, as the cannabinoid is absorbed into the bloodstream directly through the lungs.
From the lungs, CBD has a fairly fast ride into the brain, where the active effects of hemp oil become fully apparent within 15 minutes.
However, as mentioned above, don’t expect any noticeable psychoactive effect from CBD! Instead, many consumers report an improved sense of wellbeing without any intoxication.
2. No harmful smoke
If smoking has long been a past-time, vaping CBD is an excellent alternative. Unlike combusting plant material, vaporizers use lower temperatures to create a vapor steam.
Since there is no burning involved, little to no toxic byproducts are present in the end vapor. This fact creates a much safer and more flavorful inhalation experience.
However, there are a few caveats to this claim. In order for a vaporizer to create a true vapor, the temperature settings must remain below 446F (230C).
Past these temperatures, the cannabis-based oil may actually combust and release potentially carcinogenic byproducts.
3. Short-term effects
For those who just need a little extra help winding down, the effects of CBD vape oil are more short-lived than other consumption methods.
However, expect the compound to produce active effects for up to three hours after inhalation.
While the effects of CBD oil lasts up to six hours when taken orally, the impact of inhaled CBD tapers off over the course of a couple of hours.
What to look for in a high-quality CBD oil
If you are all set to try a CBD vape, there are a few things to keep in mind before you buy. Not all CBD is made equally and some products may be safer than others. Here are a few general tips to keep in mind before purchasing:
1. Avoid products with toxic additives
Some CBD companies use additives like propylene glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as thinning agents in their CBD products.
When these products are heated beyond the point of combustion, research suggests that they may release toxic carcinogens as a result.
To ensure that you are getting a high-quality hemp oil, opt for brands that use vegetable glycerine or use products that contain no fillers at all.
2. Read testing results
Hemp CBD oils have been flooding the market. Yet, it’s up to the buyer to do their research to figure out if these products are worth their weight.
In fact, between 2015 and 2016 the US Food and Drug Administration tested 40 different CBD oil products and found that many of them did not actually contain any CBD.
To ensure that you are actually getting what you think you are, opting for brands that publish laboratory test results conducted by a third-party laboratory are your safest bet.
3. Go organic
Most CBD oils that have been quality tested at an independent lab will also publish results confirming that their products are free of pesticide contaminants.
It is much more difficult for oils to pass pesticide inspection tests than dried or fresh hemp flowers. As mentioned above, CBD oil is a concentrated hemp product.
That means that each batch of oil has been extracted from perhaps pounds of plant material!
While each of these plants might pass pesticide inspection on their own, small traces of pesticide residue can condense when extracting from many different plants pooled together.
Fortunately, there are a couple of easy ways to avoid this problem. First, buy from reputable brands. Second, opt for products that have published test results.
And finally, go organic! Products made from organically grown hemp have not been treated with harmful pesticides.
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