How to get started with vaping CBD
If you have heard about cannabidiol (CBD) and are thinking about vaping it but aren’t sure where to start, this post is for you. With so much equipment and different types of CBD vape juice to choose from and jargon to sift through, it’s no surprise that so many people get daunted.
This guide will help simplify matters so you can make educated decisions and buy the most appropriate products for you. Vaping CBD doesn’t have to break the bank, and with the right setup, you can get more from CBD for less. Let’s get started.
Refillable vaporizers
Maybe you’re already a vaper, or perhaps you want to try a range of CBD e-liquids. With a refillable device, it’s possible to do just that, and even mix different vape juices together. Refillable vaporizers are more cost-effective over the long-term, as once you’ve purchased your vape and any necessary accessories, you only have to buy the e-liquids. These are cheaper when bought separately, as opposed to in single-use cartridges and disposable pens.
A high-quality refillable vaporizer should come with lots of flexibility over the wattage – increasing the wattage allows for more vapor production and a stronger hit of CBD. Refillables are perfect for enthusiasts who like to tinker with their setup, and experiment with various modifications.
With this in mind, refillable vaporizers also need lots of maintenance to ensure you keep enjoying a tip-top vaping experience. Failing to clean your device often will adversely affect flavor and leave a burnt taste in the mouth, albeit not lower your CBD intake. Refillable vaporizers also need recharging, although this is less of an issue since nearly all devices are charged via USB.
Disposable vape pens
If the thought of maintenance turns you off vaping, then disposable cartridges or a disposable pen may suit you better. These are a little more expensive and not so good for the environment, but you’re paying for the convenience. These are ready to use straight from the packaging, and a lot of pens function via draw-activated firing. You literally just need to inhale on the pen and it will start producing vapor.
There are so many disposable products on the market nowadays, infused with a range of e-liquids (which we’ll discuss later in the post). Disposable pens are the most expensive of all, as the whole device is single-use, whereas with cartridges, the vape pen itself is rechargeable, and it’s only the cartridge that gets thrown away.
CBD vape pods that work with the JUUL are also becoming more popular. A few CBD brands are making compatible, lab-tested products – just bear in mind these are not official JUUL pods.
CBD-isolate vape juices
CBD e-liquids are made with either an isolated CBD extract, or a full-plant hemp extract. CBD-isolate products just have the CBD, and are therefore THC-free. This extract is then diluted into a carrier oil (propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin) and blended with natural or artificial flavorings.
Getting a pure CBD experience with no THC is the priority for users of these products. Legally, hemp-based products can have a maximum of 0.3% THC, but if you’re concerned about taking any quantity of this psychoactive cannabinoid, with CBD-isolate products, you can eliminate it entirely. CBD is perhaps even better on its own in some situations – research shows the compound helps with anxiety, but also that THC makes anxiety worse.
Full-spectrum CBD vape juices
If you want all of the benefits offered by hemp – the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids – then a full-spectrum e-liquid will be more to your liking. These products are made with the entire extract, hence why they have more beneficial effects. Full-spectrum CBD vape juices may also be capable of the synergistic ‘entourage effect’. Vape juices with whole-plant extracts are more expensive than CBD-isolate products, however this may be compensated by the more potent and all-encompassing effects.
You can enhance the effects of e-liquids further by blending in coconut oil, a rich source of MCTs, which aid cannabinoid absorption into the bloodstream. Check on e-liquid ingredient lists for fractionated coconut oil or MCT oil. Again, products with MCTs are often a bit pricier, but this is more than made up for with additional therapeutic effects.
There are also different types of full-spectrum extract – this depends on the hemp flower strain the products originate from. Broadly, full-spectrum e-liquids made from sativa strains are stimulating, while indica e-liquids have more relaxing effects. Hybrid e-liquids produce a pleasant mix of both.
