Vaping CBD: What Are The Potential Side Effects?

Smoking rates have been declining for decades in most parts of the world, including the UK and the US. However, more and more people than ever are vaping. The majority use nicotine-based vape juice, but vaping has also become a popular way to use marijuana.

Vaping CBD (cannabidiol) isn’t that far behind.

Vaporizers and e-cigarettes have been controversial ever since their introduction several decades ago, and there’s some evidence that — although vaping is much less harmful than smoking — there are hazards associated with vaping any substance. Studies have shown that even those who vape CBD may be at risk for lung damage.

Most who use CBD products for their apparent medical and health benefits, though, are usually more focused on the shorter-term side effects they may face if they decide to consume cannabidiol by vaping it.

The most common effects are minor ones, like dry mouth, fatigue, and dizziness (the latter two most common those new to vaping). A small number of users have reported stomach problems, nausea, or increased anxiety. A few others may suffer allergic reactions, or the CBD may interact with other medications or substances they use to produce undesired outcomes.

The vast majority of vapers, however, suffer no serious side effects. And vaping CBD is the fastest way to receive its reported benefits.

Here are the details.

How Do You Vape CBD?

Let’s start at the beginning.

What Is CBD?

There are more than 100 natural compounds known as cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants, and many appear to provide at least some health and wellness benefits. CBD and psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two most important of those cannabinoids, and they’re contained in both cannabis and hemp.

The cannabidiol used to make CBD products like oil and vape juice is sourced from hemp plants because hemp contains extremely little THC. Cannabis, of course, contains a lot.

That means CBD extracted from hemp isn’t intoxicating in any way. And the UK government ensures it by setting the maximum amount of THC allowable in commercially available CBD at about 0.2% (the maximum is 0.3% in America and most of Europe). That amount of THC can’t possibly get you high.

Preliminary studies have shown that cannabidiol may provide mental health, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, pain relief, and sleep benefits, which has made CBD products more and more popular since their approval for sale a few years ago.

The most common method used to consume CBD is by dropping CBD oil under the tongue or mixing it with another beverage or with food; eating premade CBD edibles (or drinking premade CBD beverages) is a similar approach. Consumers can also choose CBD capsules (which contain CBD oil and are simple to take) or CBD topical products.

Or they can decide to vape CBD.

CBD Oil vs. CBD Vape Juice

Many new to the idea of vaping cannabidiol assume that you just put CBD oil into a vape pen or other type of vaporizer, and inhale. That couldn’t be more wrong — or more dangerous.

CBD oil contains two primary ingredients: cannabidiol and a carrier oil like MCT oil, palm seed oil, or coconut oil. The carrier is needed to increase the “bioavailability” of the CBD because it usually isn’t absorbed well by the body. Carrier oil protects most of the cannabidiol’s effectiveness and lets it move quickly through the digestive system and into the bloodstream.

However, heating commonly used carrier oils can actually cause them to burn, producing acrid smoke and hazardous fumes, and often making you sick. For example, a lung infection called lipid pneumonia has been reported by some who’ve tried vaping CBD oil containing MCT carrier oil. Some producers also add other ingredients to their CBD oil which may not be safe to vape.

CBD vape juice uses other types of carriers, and most are the same as or similar to those used in nicotine liquid. Food-grade ingredients like PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) are generally found in CBD oil created for use in vape pens or other vaping devices, and other vape-safe flavorings and other ingredients may also be added.

If you’ve decided to vape CBD, it’s essential to purchase specially manufactured CBD vape juice sold by trustworthy vendors online, in vape shops, or in other shops that carry vaping equipment and supplies. To repeat once more, because it’s so important, never vape standard CBD oil meant for oral consumption.

Pros and Cons of Vaping CBD

Those considering this method of using CBD should understand that vaping CBD has both advantages and disadvantages.

The pros of vaping CBD:

1. It’s fast: As soon as the vapor reaches the lungs, its cannabidiol is immediately moved into the bloodstream to be utilized rapidly, with effects generally noticed in minutes. Most methods of consumption first require digestion before the CBD can be absorbed by the body, delaying its effectiveness for as long as two hours. Only sublingual administration of CBD oil (dropping it under the tongue and holding it there) comes close to working as quickly.
2. It’s efficient: Vaped CBD has the highest level of bioavailability, meaning more of the cannabidiol is available to the body than it is with any other method of consumption. (Using sublingual CBD oil is the second-best choice.) Whenever the CBD has to be processed inside the body, specifically when it’s drunk or eaten and is sent to the digestive system, much of the cannabidiol is lost.
3. It’s easy for those who already vape: Users who already vape nicotine and/or marijuana understand what to buy and how to use it.
4. It’s versatile and enjoyable for some users: Many CBD vape juices come in a variety of strengths and tastes, allowing users to choose their favorite flavors or easily switch between strengths for different purposes. Some are available with nicotine added, making things easy for those who also vape in place of smoking. Users can also choose between full-spectrum CBD vape juice (containing all of the hemp’s natural compounds, including THC), broad-spectrum CBD vape juice (similar to full-spectrum but without any THC), or vape juice made with CBD isolate (pure CBD), or buy all three and switch between them simply.

The cons of vaping CBD:

1. It requires special equipment: It’s much easier to buy a bottle of CBD oil or capsules, or a CBD drink or edible, than it is to research and purchase vape pens (or vaporizers) and vape juice. Maintaining a vape pen or other vaping equipment can be a pain for those who aren’t accustomed to the process, too.
2. It can be inconvenient: Those at work or in public places can easily pop a CBD edible or gummy. Vaping isn’t acceptable in many settings.
3. Many people have an aversion to smoking or vaping: Those who don’t like the process or sensation, those who are allergic to ingredients in vape juice, and those worried about side effects or potential health drawbacks, simply don’t want to vape anything, including CBD.

The issues of side effects and potential health drawbacks deserve their own examinations.

Possible Side Effects of Vaping CBD

Here’s the most important takeaway: for those who aren’t allergic to CBD vape juice or its ingredients, the side effects of vaping cannabidiol are minor and most are rarely experienced.

• Some users may experience dry mouth from the vapor, which is fairly common for those who vape any substance. Continued use of vape products can ease the problem or make users accustomed to the sensation.
• A small number of people report gastrointestinal issues like upset stomachs, nausea or vomiting, or very occasionally, diarrhoea. Some may also become dizzy or tired, probably because of the unfamiliar experience, and a few feel increased anxiety. (Most studies on the subject have shown that CBD is effective against stress and anxiety, though.)
• There are rare reports of fatigue or cloudy thinking, but the vast majority of people vaping CBD juice never feel those possible side effects.

That doesn’t address the few people who are allergic to the contents of CBD vape juice. As with any allergic reaction, there could be serious side effects to vaping CBD for those whose bodies can’t handle the ingredients in the juice. Users with allergies should always check the ingredient list on any CBD product before using or consuming it.

CBD vape juice may rarely interact with some medications or cause problems for some users with medical issues. It’s always best to consult with your doctor or another health professional before trying cannabidiol products, particularly if you have health problems or are on meds.

Possible Health Drawbacks of Vaping CBD

There’s been almost no research on the safety of vaping CBD.

Studies on the practice of vaping, mostly conducted with nicotine vape juice, indicate that there may be some risks. Preliminary evidence shows the possibility of irritation, inflammation, scarring in the lungs, and narrowing of the airways. Those studies, though, don’t distinguish between damage potentially caused by nicotine e-juice, THC juice, and CBD vape juice.

Opponents of CBD vaping point to a single study conducted in 2023, which reported that vaping CBD juice may be more hazardous to the lungs than vaping nicotine. The authors of the study, however, say much more research must be done to determine exactly what components of CBD vape juice might be causing the damage and what the long-term risks may be.

One final and important fact worth mentioning: the term “popcorn lung,” used to describe serious lung damage caused by inhaling a chemical used in factories, has often been cited by the media in its discussions of vaping.

In reality, the organisation Cancer Research UK reports there are no confirmed cases of popcorn lung in vapers — and the chemical that causes it has been banned in all forms of e-juice in both the UK and the EU for many years.

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