CBD, also known as cannabidiol, has been steadily gaining in popularity in recent years, even though the molecule was first discovered in 1940. Its relatively recent rise to prominence can be explained by an open-minded attitude towards substances derived from cannabis flowers. But it's also due to a growing demand for gentle, natural therapeutic alternatives to remedy everyday pain and stress, as well as for general health. CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, and more specifically in its flowers. It does'nt have the psychoactive properties of its cousin THC, the plant's other major component. Cannabidiol has medicinal properties that have been the subject of numerous studies. Common uses of CBD include pain management, anxiety and sleep disorders, but new applications are still being explored. Cannabidiol is available in essential oils, capsules, resins, infusions and even sweets and drinks. However, what will be of most interest to us as vapers are the ready-to-vape or DIY CBD e-liquids.
CBD Vs THC: the differences
CBD and THC are both cannabinoids derived from the flowers of the cannabis plant, but they have very different properties and effects. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive cannabinoid. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that does not have the euphoric effects of THC. CBD is not intended for recreational use, but rather for therapeutic purposes, and its benefits are manifold. Taking it can have beneficial effects such as reducing pain and anxiety and improving the quality of your sleep.
Is CBD a drug?
Being derived from cannabis, CBD is often associated with drugs. However, CBD is neither psychoactive nor euphoric. The absence of these effects in CBD means that it cannot be considered a drug.
Can I become addicted to CBD?
Addiction to drugs is caused by a high level of dopamine in the neurons, leading to a feeling of well-being. CBD does not release dopamine into the body, so it is impossible to become physically dependent on cannabidiol.
CBD's legality
THC is becoming legal in an increasing number of countries, although there are still relatively few worldwide. Nevertheless, the harmless nature of CBD has made it easier for it to gain a foothold in many countries where it is now legal.
In Switzerland, cannabis and its derivatives containing THC are illegal, but CBD was decriminalised in 2011, making Switzerland one of the pioneers among European countries. In 2017, cannabidiol became fully legal. This means that the possession, sale and cultivation of cannabis plants containing less than 1% THC are permitted. CBD-based products are therefore legal if they contain less than 1% THC. However, the medical use of CBD is regulated by the Swiss health authorities and is only authorised for certain specific cases, such as epilepsy patients for whom conventional treatment has not been effective. It is therefore important to check the THC content of a product before buying it, and to consult a doctor before using it for medical reasons.
An important point to bear in mind when travelling is that our EU neighbours are a little less lax about maximum THC levels, with more or less stringent limits depending on the country (maximum THC levels of 0.3% in France, 0.6% in Italy and 0.2% in Germany).
Can I drive after taking CBD?
Although CBD is legal, its soothing effects can lead to drowsiness, which could be dangerous if you're at the wheel. It is therefore advisable to avoid consuming CBD if you have to drive. We're talking here about the consumption of cannabidiol in all its forms, dried herbs, resins, e-liquids, oils and others.
How long before you get back behind the wheel?
After taking cannabidiol, it's best not to use your car for four hours. Giving the effects of CBD time to fade will ensure that you don't lose concentration at the wheel because of the possible side effects associated with cannabidiol consumption.
CBD and salivary tests
Although CBD products contain very low levels of THC that are often undetectable, they can sometimes cause positive saliva tests. Most often, the tiny dose of THC is detected when CBD is smoked in its flower form and consumed regularly. Cannabis can be detected approximately 8 hours after occasional use and up to 8 days after regular use.
Can I travel with CBD?
CBD is becoming increasingly legal, especially in Europe, but it is still illegal in many countries. What's more, each country has its own rules on THC levels. So it's important to check the laws specific to the country you want to visit before packing your CBD.
Cannabidiol in flower or resin form also looks similar to weed or hashish, so it's best not to take it with you, even if CBD is legal in the country you're visiting. This will avoid you having to start your holiday by going through customs to check your goods.
If CBD is legal in your destination, you might as well support the local economy of your host country and buy it locally.
Now that you know a little more about cannabidiol, find out how it fits into the world of vape.
CBD and vape, the winning combo?
Vaping CBD is an increasingly popular way of taking advantage of the presumed therapeutic properties of this molecule derived directly from cannabis flowers. To do this, you need an electronic cigarette that allows you to inhale the vapour of an e-liquid containing CBD. This method is practical, discreet and allows you to feel the effects of CBD quickly, unlike ingesting products, which take longer to take effect. It's also a healthier option than direct combustion of CBD buds or other resins. Vaping CBD delivers all the benefits of the molecule, but it's important to follow a few rules to get the best possible experience. The next few paragraphs will explain how to vape CBD in the right conditions.
Getting the right equipment for vaping CBD
Vaping CBD with an e-cigarette is a simple and effective method of consuming CBD. Nevertheless, it's important to choose an e-cig that's suitable for this use to get a satisfying experience. CBD e-liquids are smoked at very low wattages, so you have several options. You can either use an e-cigarette that allows you to adjust the wattage accordingly, or use a podmod format e-cig with a tight MTL draw. Whatever your electronic cigarette, the most important thing to remember when vaping CBD juices is to use coils of at least 1.0 ohm for a maximum power of around 15 watts. Use clearomizers or cartridges designed for MTL vaping. Once all these conditions have been met, you can enjoy the many benefits of cannabidiol in the best possible conditions.
At Freevap.ch, you'll find a wide choice of quality electronic cigarettes that allow you to use CBD e-liquids.
Mistakes to avoid with CBD and vape
A lack of information on how to vape CBD molecules can prevent you from taking full advantage of the positive effects of CBD. Vaping CBD liquids at too high a wattage will certainly be in the top 3 of your worst tasting experiences - remember, 15 watts max! ;) We advise you to dedicate an e-cigarette, a clearomizer or a cartridge to the use of CBD. Despite the soothing benefits of the cannabidiol molecule, CBD e-liquids cause more damage to coils, so you'll need to change them more frequently than with standard liquids. A cannabidiol juice, with its flavours and CBD oil, will leave a trace of its taste in your clearomizer. It will therefore be complicated to get the best out of the flavours of your standard e-liquids in a tank that has been used to vape CBD.
All you need to know about CBD e-liquids
CBD (cannabidiol) e-liquids share the same base as a normal e-liquid. You'll find a base of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine as well as flavourings, except that it contains cannabidiol molecules extracted from hemp instead of nicotine molecules. The PG/VG ratios of CBD juices generally oscillate between 80PG/20VG and 60PG/40VG, and the propylene glycol levels are high, so the e-liquids have very little viscosity, which is why it's important to vape them at low strength.
Consuming CBD in the form of e-liquid for electronic cigarettes allows the cannabinoid molecule to be rapidly absorbed by the body, so you can enjoy its benefits fully and simply.
CBD e-liquids are also available in different strengths to suit everyone's needs. As well as a wide choice of dosages, CBD e-liquids offer a multitude of flavours, from gourmet to fruity, and very often hemp flavours that are truer to nature.
Finding the right dosage of CBD for vaping
Cannabidiol-based eliquids are available in a variety of strengths. Everyone will be able to find the dose that suits their consumption habits, but also their needs. Note that CBD concentrations in e-liquids are expressed in mg/vial and not in mg/ml as with nicotine. Low doses, between 30 mg and 100 mg, are ideal for obtaining light effects from daily or occasional consumption.
Medium doses, between 100 mg and 300 mg, deliver stronger effects and are ideal for occasional use at some point during the day. Beyond that, you have the high concentrations, over 300 mg, which offer fairly powerful effects and should be used simononiously, from time to time.
Those who are just discovering CBD should start with low doses and then consider higher doses if necessary, as reactions to the molecule vary from person to person.
There are also CBD boosters, generally containing more than 600 mg. Like nicotine boosters, CBD boosters should not be vaped directly but mixed with PG/VG bases to create DIY cannabidiol eliquids.
Can I vape CBD every day?
Vaping cannabidiol e-liquids can be done on a daily basis, but you'll need to adjust the dosage to suit your needs. Regular use of CBD presents no risk, but rather an opportunity to benefit from all the beneficial properties it has to offer for our health and well-being.
What's the best time of day to vape CBD?
As each person has different needs and lifestyles, there is no ideal time to vape CBD. In small doses, it can be consumed at any time of day. E-liquids with a higher dose may make you feel drowsy, depending on the individual. So it's best to vape these liquids in the evening, when you have no other obligations and nothing to do but relax.
A multitude of flavours in your CBD e-liquids
Like their nicotine cousins, CBD eliquids are available in a wide variety of flavours. Very often, you'll find terpene-based flavours that give a very pronounced herbal taste very similar to that of hemp. However, more conventional flavours also exist. So you can benefit from the qualities of CBD while enjoying a vanilla, mint or strawberry flavoured vape, to name but a few.
Potential benefits of CBD
CBD is still the talk of the town. This molecule from the cannabis plant has been the subject of numerous studies, explaining why it is being used more and more frequently thanks to its potential therapeutic properties. A 2017 study by the University of California showed that CBD can reduce anxiety and improve cognitive performance in people suffering from anxiety disorders. Another 2018 study, this time conducted by the University of Paisley in Scotland, showed that CBD can reduce the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures in children and adults. In addition, a 2019 study by the University of São Paulo in Brazil showed that CBD was able to reduce pain and inflammation in rats suffering from arthritis. Don't ask me how they administered CBD to these rats, but the rats were reportedly in great shape. In any case, these studies show that CBD has promising therapeutic properties for combating a number of everyday ailments, as well as neurodegenerative diseases and even heart disease. Smoking CBD certainly won't make you indestructible, but it can relieve you of everyday worries.
Vaping CBD for pain and stress
With small-dose consumption of the CBD molecule, we already know that its mild analgesic and relaxing effects are present. CBD has been shown to reduce pain by acting on the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors that form part of our body's endocannabinoid system, as well as on the serotonin and noradrenaline receptors.
CB1 and CB2 receptors are cannabinoid receptors found in different parts of the body. CB1 receptors are found mainly in your noggin, in the brain and in the central nervous system to be more precise. They play an important role in regulating pain, appetite, mood and memory. CB2 receptors are found mainly in immune cells and inflammatory tissues. They play an important role in regulating inflammation and the immune response. The result of all this will be to relieve fairly common ailments such as osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain and backache.
Why does CBD improve your sleep?
Studies show that CBD can help reduce sleep disorders by regulating circadian rhythms and reducing insomnia. Cannabidiol molecules have a relaxing effect on the body thanks to their decontracting properties. CBD acts on serotonin, regulating the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for our sleep rhythm. CBD is therefore considered to be a gentle method of combating sleep disorders.
It's important to note that cannabinoids are not considered a treatment or medicine. If you are experiencing chronic sleep problems, it is advisable to consult a medical specialist for treatment tailored to your situation.
Possible side effects of a cannabidiol product
Despite its benefits and therapeutic use, CBD, whose effects vary from person to person, is not free from probable side effects. These effects are often caused by an overdose of CBD, a contraindication or an interaction with other drugs. The most commonly reported side effects are considered to be minor and generally short-lived.
Why am I tired with CBD?
CBD has a relaxing effect, so it is possible that too high a dosage could cause drowsiness or a feeling of tiredness. In this case, you should lower the dosage or use it when you are inactive.
Why do I have a dry mouth after smoking CBD?
This side effect is not caused directly by the cannabidiol but by the way it is administered. If you vape your CBD, vaping will be the cause of this effect, vaping dries out the gullet and therefore requires you to hydrate more frequently. An ingested CBD product will not cause dry mouth.
Why do I lose my appetite with CBD?
Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates appetite. As CBD slows down the production of ghrelin, the feeling of hunger is reduced. This can be useful if you want to lose a few kilos. If this loss of appetite bothers you, to remedy it, you'll need to space the times you take CBD as far as possible from meal times.
Contraindications and interactions between CBD and medicines
Consuming CBD is not recommended for people who are pregnant, allergic or taking medication. If you are taking medication, you should seek medical advice from your doctor to avoid causing unpleasant drug interactions. The main drugs not to be taken at the same time as CBD-containing products are warfarin-based anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, thyroid hormones and clonazepam-based anticonvulsants, according to studies carried out by PennState College of Medicine (USA).
CBD and all the rest!
Although CBD is the best known of the group, there are other cannabinoids with a variety of therapeutic properties, including CBG (cannabigerol), CBN (cannabinol) and CBC (cannabichromene). For example, CBG is capable of titillating your serotonin receptor, also known as the happy hormone, which will improve your mood and make you more lovable than eating carrots. CBN is often associated with sedative effects and will help you fall asleep. CBC, on the other hand, has antimicrobial, antifungal, anxiolytic and analgesic effects, no less.
CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC: Broad and Full Spectrum, strength in numbers!
The molecules can join forces to produce a veritable cocktail of cannabinoids, combining the benefits of each to produce what is known as the ‘entourage effect’. There are both ‘full spectrum’ and ‘broad spectrum’ products.
By definition, a full spectrum product is one that contains all the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. This includes CBD, but also other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN and CBC, as well as THC within the legal dosage limit. Broad spectrum products differ from full spectrum products in that they contain no THC whatsoever, while preserving the blend of other cannabinoids.
Full spectrum and broad spectrum products are often considered to be more effective than products containing only isolated CBD, as the different components of the plant can work synergistically to create the famous ‘entourage effect’ combining numerous health benefits.
CBD, your ally in well-being!
As you can see, in the hemp family, CBD is a bit like the top of the class. Its future is promising and we still have a lot to learn about this molecule. The many ways in which it can be consumed - with an electronic cigarette, in sweets or drinks, and much more besides - give everyone the chance to try it in their own way, for a guaranteed improvement in your well-being. If you're considering vaping, don't forget the advice above and take a look at Freevap.ch to find the best e-cigarettes compatible with CBD e-liquids.
