However, vaping CBD oil poses many health risks. Learn more about the potential side effects and hazards of vaping CBD oil and other ways of getting the potential benefits of CBD.
Why People Vape CBD Oil
Part of the draw to CBD oil in areas where marijuana has been legalized is the fact that it has been touted as helping treat a host of medical problems. Some of the medical issues people claim that the oil treats include:
AnxietyEpileptic seizuresInflammationSleeplessness
While promising, more research is needed to explore and verify the possible benefits of CBD. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one CBD-based medication, which is used to treat seizures associated with two severe forms of epilepsy. And while other research suggests that CBD might have mental health effects, there is currently not enough evidence to recommend it as a treatment for any mental health condition. Although the FDA has warned manufacturers against making unproven health claims, it has not done much to stop the sale of CBD products.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is extracted from the flowers and buds of marijuana or hemp plants. Typically, it does not produce a “high” or intoxication because it contains very little, if any, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). According to the FDA, it is currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to food or marketing it as a supplement. Despite these guidelines, they warn consumers that some CBD products are being marketed with unproven medical claims and are of unknown quality. The FDA also cautions consumers that CBD can harm the liver and may interact with other medications you are taking. And it may even have a negative impact on male fertility.
Is Vaping CBD Oil Safe?
Generally speaking, vaping is an unsafe practice regardless of what substances are in the vape pen. CBD oil is no exception.
Vaping Lung Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently linked vaping products to an outbreak of nearly 3,000 lung illnesses so serious that even young people were being admitted to the hospital. Although the CDC has traced many EVALI hospitalizations back to vitamin E acetate, a substance used to dilute oils used in vaping, the risks of vaping CBD oil are not without risk. This is particularly true if vape pens are obtained from illicit dealers, online sources, or friends. At least 26 of the EVALI cases were hospitalized after vaping CBD oil.
Concern About Long-Term Effects
Additionally, numerous scientists, doctors, and researchers are concerned with the safety of inhaling CBD oil because little is known about the long-term effects. What’s more, when vaping devices are heated, a chemical reaction takes place in the vapor, which could pose additional risks to the lungs, especially in young people.
Potential Side Effects of Vaping CBD
In addition to the potential for lung injury, vaping CBD may also have various other side effects. These can include:
DiarrheaDizzinessDrowsinessFatigueImpaired memory and thinkingNauseaStomach upsetVomiting
CBD may also worsen anxiety, cause changes in mood, and affect appetite
CBD Lacks Regulation
The 2018 Farm Bill removed CBD from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. However, it is still subject to the same laws and regulations as other substances monitored by the FDA. Unfortunately, though, there is very little regulatory oversight of CBD oil in general—even though vaping is one of the most popular ways of using the oil. The FDA has not yet determined how to regulate CBD vaping products just yet.
Mislabeling Is Common
To make matters worse, this lack of certification has led people to sell vaping liquid they claim contains CBD oil when it contains harmful chemicals, which injure and kill people in the process. To determine the extent to which this occurs, the Associated Press (AP) commissioned a study to analyze the contents of nearly 30 oils claiming to contain CBD. Their testing was completed by Flora Research Laboratories in Grants Pass, Oregon, which is licensed and inspected by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. What they discovered is that:
10 of the 30 vapes contained synthetic marijuanaOthers had no CBD oil at allEight oils had no detectable level of CBD14 were less than 0.3% CBD by weightThe other six ranged between 1.07% and 8.87% CBD by weight
Because this testing was such a small sample, the AP noted that their sampling was not representative of the entire CBD market. However, their testing shows how risky it is to vape CBD oil.
Alternatives to Vaping CBD
If you want to try CBD but want to avoid the risks associated with vaping, there are other ways to administer the substance. CBD is available in a variety of forms, including:
BeveragesCapsulesEdiblesGummiesNasal spraysTablets
While these products avoid the risk of lung injury, it is essential to remember that they are also unregulated. Research has found that the mislabeling of CBD products is rampant, affecting as much as 70% of CBD products sold online.
A Word From Verywell
If you are considering vaping CBD oil to address a medical concern, talk to your doctor first. The risks associated with vaping and CBD oil are significant and may not provide the benefits you want. If you choose to purchase CBD, look for manufacturers who utilize third-party testing to verify the ingredients and contents of their products. For more mental health resources, see Verywell’s National Helpline Database.
