CBD Oil: What Is It?
Hemp and cannabis sativa plants contain a variety of naturally occurring cannabinoids, including CBD. To make CBD oil, the plant’s cannabinoid is extracted and then dissolved in a carrier oil, including olive, hemp, or sunflower oil. The oil can be ingested orally, applied topically, and mixed into meals, beverages, and other consumables. It is also applicable to e-cigarettes.
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The actual CBD oil has been connected to several prospective advantages, the most prominent of which being enhancing mental wellness, enhancing sleep, easing discomfort, and decreasing inflammation. The legality of it is contingent upon its provenance and state laws. While CBD obtained from hemp plants that contains less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by dry weight is allowed, CBD derived from cannabis plants is banned at the federal level.
Are Vapes with CBD Safe?
According to Irfan Rahman, Ph.D., a professor in the University of Rochester’s Department of Medicine and a pioneer in the field of studying CBD vaping and cigarette smoke-mediated lung inflammation, when someone vapes CBD, they inhale more than just the CBD oil. For flavor and frequently nicotine, the CBD oil is almost always combined with additional substances, both of which have risks of their own, according to him.
Vaping with CBD is obviously dangerous, according to Vijay Iyer, M.D., an interventional cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He states, “We know that vaping is bad, even though CBD use by itself doesn’t seem to have any direct effect on heart function.” He continues, “Vaping anything is bad, so don’t fall for tricks like vaping vitamins, which are occasionally mixed with CBD to appeal to a more health-conscious market.”
According to Dr. Iyer, vaping CBD—or any other substance—primarily affects the heart and lungs and is associated with heart and lung problems. “Vaping irritates the inner lining of the lungs,” he says, adding that scientists think it also affects the blood vessel’s inner lining’s capacity to create nitric oxide. According to him, nitric oxide lowers blood pressure by keeping blood vessels pleasant and relaxed. “The blood vessels’ inability to relax can lead to clotting and blood vessel constriction, which can elevate blood pressure levels.”
Dr. Rahman claims that while vaping is dangerous in and of itself, the ingredients in e-cigarettes that contain flavorings like CBD oil and nicotine (which is frequently added) have drawbacks of their own. He claims, “The flavors contain chemicals that are harmful to the lungs.” Dr. Rahman claims that nicotine is frequently included in CBD vaping products since it is not only addictive but also raises the risk of gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and cardiovascular diseases in users.
CBD Vaping’s Possible Side Effects and Health Risks
According to both experts, someone who regularly vapes CBD oil is unlikely to first detect any negative effects. In fact, according to Dr. Rahman, feeling relaxed is typically the first adverse effect of vaping CBD. However, according to both doctors, vaping is harmful and can eventually have a major negative impact on one’s health. These are the health hazards associated with frequent CBD vaping.
Popcorn lung: According to Dr. Iyer, popcorn lung, also medically known as bronchiolitis obliterans, is characterized by a buildup of scar tissue in the lungs that obstructs airflow. Breathing becomes difficult due to this constriction, which results in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Popcorn lung is a cause of gradual lung injury that is permanent.
Lung or heart illness: According to Dr. Iyer, vaping destroys blood vessels, which raises the risk of lung and heart disease.
Immune system compromise: Research indicates that vaping lowers immune system function, despite the fact that applying CBD topically or ingesting it through food, beverages, and other consumables is connected to immune system support.
Death: Although there is little information on deaths directly linked to vaping, at least 68 persons lost their lives to lung injuries brought on by vaping between March 2019 and February 2020.
CBD Laws and Issues with Counterfeit Products
According to Dr. Rahman, the safety of the CBD oil that is used in e-cigarettes is directly impacted by the numerous loopholes and ease of circumvention in the current rules governing CBD. In their investigation, he and his colleagues discovered that CBD oil in e-cigarettes frequently contains other substances, such as THC and MCT oil, which is intended to retain taste and may be extremely harmful to the lungs when vaporized. “Some companies add THC along with the CBD oil because people who vape it feel so good about themselves that they want to buy more,” Dr. Rahman explains, highlighting the fact that THC additions can happen even in cases when the product label does not make mention of THC content.
According to Dr. Rahman, “the current laws on CBD need clarification [as a whole] and specifically in terms of vaporizing.” He continues, “At the moment, consumers vaping CBD have no way of knowing for sure what they’re actually putting into their bodies.” To illustrate, a 2019 Virginia Commonwealth University study discovered that an active ingredient in some synthetic cannabis products (like Spice, K2, Black Mamba, and Crazy Clown) that is illegal in the United States due to its potential to cause fatal overdoses was found in four out of nine CBD vaping liquids tested by the researchers. This synthetic cannabinoid compound is known as 5F-ADB.
Healthier Substitutes for CBD Vapes, Per Expert Opinion
Good news: According to Dr. Rahman, giving up CBD vaping can help the lungs recover from the majority of the harm done by a previous vaping habit. He claims that “as long as the injury is minor, the lungs are a beautiful system and can heal.” He continues, “But severe damage to the lungs is very difficult to heal,” therefore it’s best for someone to quit vaping CBD as soon as possible.
The process of vaping CBD oil, rather than the oil itself, is the issue, both experts emphasize. That’s why they argue it’s healthier to adopt the practice of using CBD oil topically or ingesting it through meals, beverages, and CBD candies.
Both experts point out that there are more better alternatives to de-stress, such as yoga, meditation, and exercise (even a quick stroll), if you vape CBD for relaxation. Applying a CBD cream directly to the irritated region might be an alternative for those who vape CBD to manage chronic pain, however Dr. Iyer cautions that topical CBD products are also subject to unclear laws. The best course of action is to see your doctor, discuss your chronic pain, and together develop a treatment plan.