By Ross D
The vaping industry has witnessed a tremendous growth rate over the past few years. And if recent projections are anything to go by, the industry may not be slowing down anytime soon.
One of the reasons behind the meteoritic rise in the vaping culture is the fact that most people no longer view the habit as a tobacco-cessation aid. Over time, vaping has become more like a lifestyle, which explains the growing number of celebrities endorsing e-cigs and other vaping accessories.
However, it’s also important to note that the vaping industry is largely unregulated. As such, there are always dishonest traders ready to take advantage of innocent buyers by offering low-quality products.
In the worst-case scenario, you could spend a fortune and end up with unsafe products. This is most common when buying vape juices.
So, how do you ensure that you’re not getting the short end of the stick while shopping for vape juices? Read on as we highlight how to choose safe cannabidiol (CBD) vape juice.
Why Vape CBD In The First Place?
Even before choosing high quality CBD vape juice, it’s imperative to understand some of the benefits of vaping CBD.
Cannabidiol occurs naturally in cannabis, which experts claim can help treat many diseases. CBD is most effective against infections whose primary symptoms include pain and anxiety, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Besides pain and anxiety, CBD might also be beneficial for metabolic diseases like diabetes, inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel syndrome, and neurological disorders like epileptic seizures. Other medical conditions that you can manage using cannabidiol include eating disorders like nausea and vomiting, sleep problems like insomnia, and mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease.
Vaping happens to be one of the common ways of consuming CBD. Other popular CBD delivery methods include CBD-infused edibles, CBD-formulated cosmetic products, and oral tinctures.
But why would you consider vaping CBD-based e-juices instead of administering cannabidiol by other means?
Vaping comes with a faster onset time as it delivers cannabidiol straight into your lungs and directly into your bloodstream. On average, you’ll normally feel the effects of vaping in as little as 5 minutes. That’s in contrast to the effects of CBD edibles, which might take as much as three hours to kick in.
Now that you’re acquainted with the benefits of vaping CBD, how do you choose safe CBD e-juices?
Tips for Choosing Safe CBD Vape Juice
1. Go for established brands.
There are hundreds of CBD vape juice companies out there, with each company marketing itself as dealing in quality e-juices.
However, it’s always advisable not to take a vape juice manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer at their word. Instead, you should dig deeper and establish the company’s reputation before purchasing their CBD vape juices.
As you shall find, the reputation of a CBD e-liquid company largely comes down to the duration the company has been in the industry. Although not always a rule of thumb, established CBD e-juice brands are likely to offer safer and higher-quality products than new industry entrants.
2. Check the ingredients used.
As with most vape juices, CBD e-juices are formulated with other ingredients, including base liquids (vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG)) and flavorings.
It’s crucial to establish the safety of each ingredient used before purchasing a CBD e-juice. For instance, vape juices that contain higher PG than VG ratios are associated with throat irritation.
Whatever you do, ensure that the e-juice contains minimal quantities of synthetic chemicals. Exposure to these chemicals could increase your risk of developing chronic diseases like cancer.
3. Check for CBD strength.
There’s no one-size-fits-all CBD dosage. The amount of CBD e-juice you vape depends on certain factors, such as your age, bodyweight, metabolic weight, and your body’s tolerance or sensitivity to the product.
That said, it’s safer to go for CBD e-liquids that feature lower CBD concentrations, say, 1-2 mg of CBD for starters.
Take a few puffs and monitor how your body responds before possibly upping your dosage. Remember that while CBD is mostly safe, very high doses could trigger some side effects.
4. Check for THC levels.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary chemical in cannabis that’s famous for its euphoria-inducing properties. However, it’s important to emphasize that THC isn’t immediately toxic.
Experts advise vaping full-spectrum CBD e-juices, i.e., vape juices that contain CBD, THC, and several other cannabinoids. Full-spectrum products deliver compounded medical benefits through a mechanism known as the entourage effect.
However, you should be wary of choosing CBD e-juices that are significantly high in THC, especially if you’re a new user. Unmonitored exposure to high THC levels could trigger intoxication and other unpleasant psychedelic effects.
5. Insist on lab-tested products
Proof of lab tests is critical when choosing CBD e-juices. These tests are the only solid proof that the product you’re about to buy contains the ingredients that appear on the label.
Lab tests are also the best way to determine whether the vape juice contains artificial additives and contaminants. Ordinarily, these reports should appear on a retailer’s website. Just ensure that they’re prepared by independent labs with no affiliation with the CBD vape juice supplier.
There goes our detailed guide on how to choose quality and safe CBD products. As a bonus tip, remember to familiarize yourself with local cannabis and vaping laws before vaping CBD e-juices.
