VIIA Hemp's Guide to CBD Vaping: Safety, Side Effects, & More

Are you interested in trying CBD vaping but don't know where to start?
CBD vaping is steadfastly becoming a favorite method of consumption for its ease of use and fast-acting effects.

Imagine enjoying the benefits of CBD but without the smoke from lighting up a traditional hemp flower joint — that's the beauty of vaping. It's a gentler, inhalable option that delivers CBD into your system quickly and efficiently — perfect for those who want to keep up with today's fast-paced, health-conscious lifestyle.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the ins and outs of vaping CBD, from what’s in those vape liquids to the potential benefits of vaping, and some tips that even seasoned CBD users might find helpful in optimizing their experience.

Our focus is on safety and enjoyment, ensuring you can embrace the full potential of CBD vaping with confidence and ease.

VIIA’s New CBD Vapes

VIIA Hemp introduces their latest Disposable CBD Vapes for a quick and pure CBD experience. These top-tier vapes come in tantalizing flavors like Peach Punch and Berry Gelato, crafted with superior-quality ingredients and organic terpenes without harmful additives or pesticides. Undergoing stringent lab testing, they guarantee safety and excellence, eliminating the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents.

These vapes are loaded with THC-free, broad-spectrum CBD oil, enriched with minor cannabinoids and terpenes, delivering a robust experience comparable to that of full-spectrum CBD. They are thoughtfully designed for convenience, being pre-filled, pre-charged, rechargeable, and disposable, simplifying usage.

VIIA's dedication to innovation and openness in hemp-based products shines through in their CBD vapes. These vapes offer a safe, effective way for individuals to integrate CBD into their health regimen, ensuring a quick, pleasurable experience.

How Does CBD Vaping Work?

CBD vapes work by heating liquid CBD to a temperature between 320°F to 428°F (160°C to 220°C) — depending on the device and CBD e-liquid used — which produces a vapor, allowing it to be inhaled.
Unlike smoking, vaping doesn't burn the substance. Instead, it heats the vape juice just enough to release its active compounds into a vapor.
When you inhale the vapor, the CBD is quickly absorbed through the lungs and into the bloodstream, providing relief without the harshness of smoke. This direct route into the circulatory system, where it can interact with endocannabinoid receptors, allows for faster onset of effects than other methods like sublingual CBD oils or gummies.

What is CBD Vape Juice?

Terms like CBD vape juice, CBD e-liquid, and CBD vape oil are often used interchangeably, creating a bit of confusion, especially for first-time users. This stems from a lack of regulation in the industry, leading to frequent misnaming.
Typically, “CBD vape juice” refers to a blend of CBD extract with vapor liquids like propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) to create a smoother smoking experience and to produce satisfying large vapor clouds.

On the other hand, “CBD vape oil” should ideally represent purer forms of CBD, such as distillates or waxes, without the addition of vapor liquids. These pure extracts are much more potent as they don't contain diluting agents, offering a more concentrated dose of CBD.

“CBD e-liquid” serves as an umbrella term encompassing both these varieties. Regardless of the terminology, it's crucial to ensure that the product you choose for your vape device or disposable vape doesn't contain carrier oils like hemp seed oil, MCT oil, or similar substances. These oils are not designed for inhalation and can be harmful when vaporized and inhaled.

Types of Hemp Extracts for CBD Vaping Products

CBD vaping products can be made from different types of hemp extracts, each offering unique characteristics and benefits.

The three main types are Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD Isolate. Understanding these can help you choose the product that best suits your needs.

• Full-Spectrum CBD: This extract contains nearly all the natural compounds in the hemp plant, including CBD, terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids like THC. The presence of THC is minimal (less than 0.3%), but it's enough to contribute to the 'entourage effect,' where all the compounds work synergistically to enhance the overall effects. Full-spectrum CBD is ideal for those who want to experience the full benefits of the hemp plant as close to its natural profile.
  
• Broad-Spectrum CBD: Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum CBD, containing most of the hemp plant compounds, but with one key difference — THC is completely removed. This type is preferred by those who want to avoid THC altogether, whether for personal preferences or legal reasons. One of the pros of broad-spectrum extracts is that they can still produce the entourage effect, albeit to a lesser extent than full-spectrum extracts, due to the absence of THC.
  
• CBD Isolate: is the purest form of CBD, where the compound is isolated and separated from all other cannabinoids and plant materials. CBD isolate contains up to 99% pure CBD, making it the best option for those who want to consume only CBD without other hemp plant compounds. It’s ideal for individuals who are sensitive to other cannabinoids or who prefer a product with no trace of THC. Because of the lack of other cannabinoids and terpenes, these CBD products may take higher doses to reach the same effects as broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oils.

To verify exactly what's in your CBD vape products, you should reference a certificate of analysis provided by the company.

Reputable brands will send samples of their CBD products to a third-party lab to screen the cannabinoid and terpene profile and to ensure it's free from harmful contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, or residual solvents.

We strongly recommend you check third-party lab tests as part of your CBD shopping habits to ensure you're using safe products.

How To Vape CBD Oil

We understand that getting started can be overwhelming with so many different vape liquids and devices. We aim to simplify this process, so we've outlined a clear and concise step-by-step guide.

First and foremost, do not vape CBD oil/tincture made for sublingual use. For your safety, always use the product as intended by the manufacturer. CBD oil made for sublingual use is different from CBD vape oil and can be harmful when inhaled. Now, let’s get into the hardware. 

Choosing Your Device

There are several types of devices you can use to vape CBD:

• Refillable Vape Pens: These devices consist of a battery and a tank — you’re meant to fill the tank with CBD vape juice. While these devices may cost more upfront ($80–$200), they can be cost-effective in the long run and allow for more customization with flavors and strengths.
  
• Vape Cartridges: These are pre-filled with CBD vape juice or CBD pods and are used with a compatible battery. They’re convenient and easy to use, making them an excellent choice for beginners.
  
• Disposable Vapes: As the most user-friendly option, disposable vapes come pre-charged and pre-filled with CBD oil. Once it’s used up, you dispose of the entire pen.

We recommend opting for a rechargeable disposable vape pen. The advantage of a rechargeable option is that it ensures you can fully use all the CBD vape liquid in the compartment before the battery runs out.

This feature is particularly important because, with non-rechargeable disposables, there’s always a risk of encountering a weak or faulty battery. Such an issue could stop you from using all the vape liquid. By choosing a rechargeable disposable vape pen, you maximize the value and efficiency of your CBD vaping experience.

How To Vape CBD

Start by turning on your device (if it has a button) and prepare to inhale. CBD vape pens that don't have a button are usually draw-activated, which means they heat up as you use them.

Draw the vapor into your mouth first, then inhale it into your lungs. If you find the vapor too harsh, try adjusting the temperature settings of your device, if available. Lower temperatures often provide a smoother vaping experience.

A handy vape inhaling technique to reduce the harshness of CBD vapor is to take a small breath of air from your vape device before inhaling. Once you’ve inhaled, hold the vapor in your lungs for up to 30 seconds before exhaling. This allows for better absorption of CBD into your bloodstream.

Maintenance & Storage

Regularly cleaning the tank and replacing the heating coils for refillable devices is important for the best CBD vape experience.

When it comes to disposable CBD vape pens, you don't have to worry about maintenance, which makes them a big plus for new users or those who prefer to have a more hassle-free option.

To store your CBD vape devices and disposable vapes, keep them in a cool, dry area. Extreme temperatures (hot or cold) can affect the battery life and the quality of the CBD oil. 

You also want to ensure CBD oil is stored away from direct sunlight because UV can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes, so keep it in a cool, dry, and shaded area.

Ideally, you want to keep your CBD vapes upright to prevent the CBD e-liquid from leaking or clogging — this is especially key for devices with refillable tanks.

Most importantly, please keep your CBD oil products away from children and pets for their safety.

Disposing of Disposable Vapes Responsibly

Since disposable vape devices have batteries, they shouldn't be thrown in the regular trash.
Check if your local waste management services have specific guidelines for batter disposal or if they offer electronic waste recycling programs. Alternatively, you can look for local e-waste recycling centers in your area. These centers are equipped to handle and recycle different electronic components regularly.

Vaping CBD Hemp Flower

Vaping hemp flower offers a unique and more natural way to consume CBD, differing significantly from using pre-filled cartridges or vape juices.

You'll need a specialized vaporizer designed for dry material to vape hemp flowers. The process involves grinding the CBD hemp flower to a fine consistency and then placing it into the chamber of the dry herb vaporizer.

Once loaded, the vaporizer heats the hemp flower enough to vaporize the cannabinoids and terpenes but low enough to avoid combustion. This heating method preserves the natural compounds in the hemp flower, ensuring a more authentic and flavorful experience.

Vaping at a lower temperature is recommended for the best results and to fully appreciate the natural terpenes found in hemp flowers. This enhances the flavor, making for a more enjoyable taste, and helps maintain the integrity of the delicate terpenes.

Vaping CBD hemp flower in this manner is an excellent option for those who prefer a more traditional, plant-based approach to CBD consumption. It offers the benefits of a full-spectrum experience, with the added advantage of a cleaner, more controlled inhalation method compared to smoking.

What Does Inhaling CBD Feel Like?

Whether ingesting CBD oil drops or CBD gummies, vaping CBD will produce unique experiences depending on the individual and dosages.

Because of CBD's interactions with the endocannabinoid system, there's a certain subjective nature to CBD's effects, meaning it's common for one individual's experience to be different from the next.
One thing for sure is that CBD doesn't lead to intoxicating effects like THC.

For many people, inhaling CBD brings a sense of relaxation or calm. Some people report a subtle shift in their stress levels or a mild easing of tension. This can be particularly noticeable for those who use CBD as part of their ritual of unwinding from a long day.

Others might experience a sense of improved focus or clarity. This isn't the same as the stimulation from caffeine — it's more about feeling more centered and less distracted by stress or anxious thoughts.
Remember, the experience of inhaling CBD is influenced by various factors, including the quality of the CBD, the dosage, your body chemistry, and even your expectations. It's always recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to find what works best for you, keeping in mind that moderation is always the best.

Benefits of Vaping CBD

The current understanding of CBD wellness is that no matter which type of CBD product you opt for (smoking, vaping, edibles, or topicals), you should be able to reap the benefits of CBD through all of them. It largely depends on your preferences and the experience you're after with CBD.

Here, we'll go over the key benefits of vaping CBD.

1. Potency and Fast Delivery

One of the most significant benefits of vaping CBD is its potency and speed at which it delivers effects.

When smoking or vaping CBD, it enters the lungs and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver (first-pass metabolism). This means the effects can be felt more quickly and intensely than other methods like edibles, which can take up to an hour to kick in.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

In comparison to other forms of CBD, like gummies or CBD drops, vaping can be more cost-effective in the long run.

This is because vaping has a higher bioavailability, meaning more CBD is absorbed into your system, which means you need smaller doses to achieve the desired effects, which can lead to cost savings simply by using less. 

3. Distrection and Convenient

Unlike lighting up a hemp joint, vaping CBD is relatively discreet. CBD vapes produce less odor compared to smoking, and they're also easy to carry and use on the go.

4. Variety of Flavors and Strains

CBD vapes come in a wide range of flavors and cannabis strains, catering to different tastes and effect preferences. This variety can make your CBD experience more enjoyable and targeted for specific wellness goals like relaxation, focus, or creativity. 

5. Alternative to Smoking Cigarettes

Some people turn to CBD vaping as a way to wean off smoking cigarettes. The act of vaping can mimic the physical habit of smoking, which can be helpful for those trying to kick the habit.On top of this, there are preliminary studies that found CBD itself may help to reduce cravings and withdrawals from nicotine [1]. However, please take this with a grain of salt, as much more research is needed.

The Risks of Vaping CBD

While CBD vaping offers many benefits, it's not without its risks. Here are some critical considerations for anyone looking into vaping CBD oil:

1. Risk of Lung Irritation

Inhaling any substance, including vaporized CBD, can potentially irritate the lungs.

Even though vaping is generally gentler on the lungs compared to traditional smoking, it's not entirely risk-free, particularly for individuals who are prone to respiratory issues or lung irritation.

2. Potential for Overdosing

CBD vapes can make it easy to consume higher doses of CBD than intended, especially for beginners or those unfamiliar with their tolerance levels.

While CBD is non-toxic, high doses of CBD can lead to side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, or digestive upset. Therefore, starting with a low dose and monitoring how your body responds is key to ensuring a safe and comfortable CBD experience.

3. Device and CBD E-liquid Safety

The safety of the vape device and the liquid used is crucial.

Poor-quality devices or CBD liquids can pose health risks. For instance, using vape liquids containing carrier oils, like certain vitamin E oils, can be dangerous when inhaled.

These oils can lead to a serious condition known as 'popcorn lung,' a colloquial term for bronchiolitis obliterans, which causes lung scarring and permanent breathing difficulties. Always choose high-quality, reputable brands and products specifically designed for vaping.

The Takeaway: The Guide To Vaping CBD

Vaping CBD offers a quick, efficient, and enjoyable way to experience the potential benefits of the hemp plant, whether it’s for stress management, focus, or general wellness. The variety in types of extracts — from full-spectrum to isolates — and the array of devices, including refillable pens, cartridges, and disposables, means there's something for everyone to explore.

That being said, some products on the market are better than others. Prioritize safety by choosing high-quality products produced by reputable brands. Be cautious of dosages to avoid overconsumption, and be aware of the potential lung risks. 

Remember, vaping CBD is a personal experience that varies from person to person, so start low, go slow, and find what works best for you.

Glossary Terms

• CBD (Cannabidiol): A non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis and hemp plants, known for its potential therapeutic properties.
• CBD Distillate: A highly refined cannabis extract often used in CBD vaping products. It's known for its high CBD content and purity, containing many cannabinoids and terpenes but with most other plant matter removed. CBD distillate is typically more potent than other CBD extracts and can be used in both refillable and pre-filled vaping devices.
• Vape Pen: A device used for vaping, consisting of a battery and a heating element to vaporize CBD distillate or CBD vape juice.
• Cartridge (Cart): A pre-filled CBD vape juice or distillate container attached to a vape pen battery.
• Disposable Vape Pen: A single-use vape pen that comes pre-filled with CBD oil and is disposed of after use.
• Refillable Vape Pen: A vape pen with a refillable tank or cartridge allows users to add their CBD e-liquid manually.
• E-Liquid/Vape Juice: A liquid used in vape pens, typically consisting of CBD extract, propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerin (VG).
• Full Spectrum CBD: Hemp extract containing CBD and other cannabinoids and terpenes, including trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3%).
• Broad Spectrum CBD: Similar to Full Spectrum but with all THC removed.
• CBD Isolate: The purest form of CBD, isolated from other cannabinoids and compounds in the hemp plant.
• Terpenes: Natural compounds found in hemp and cannabis that contribute to the plant's aroma and flavor and may have therapeutic properties.
• Bioavailability: The degree and rate at which a substance (such as CBD) is absorbed into the bloodstream.
• Popcorn Lung: A colloquial term for bronchiolitis obliterans, a condition that can occur from inhaling certain harmful chemicals, often associated with some flavoring agents in vape liquids.
• VG (Vegetable Glycerin): A thick, sweet liquid used in vape juices to produce large vapor clouds.
• PG (Propylene Glycol): A thinner liquid used in vape juices to carry flavor more effectively.