Using electronic cigarettes to vape CBD has become one of the most popular ways of consuming cannabidiol in recent years. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis that can offer therapeutic benefits, including pain regulation, anxiety reduction and improved sleep. Not to be confused with its cousin, THC, which will have you gawking for hours at wildlife documentaries with a bowl of cornflakes in your hand.
Getting back to our subject, in order to vape CBD in the best possible conditions, it's important to choose the right electronic cigarette to get the best effects and avoid the problems of burnt coils or nauseating flavours. In this guide, we'll take a brief look at the different types of CBD liquids available, but above all, the criteria to take into account when choosing an electronic cigarette for vaping CBD, and advice on how to use your equipment safely and effectively. We'll also explore dry herb vaporisers for vapers who prefer to vape directly from Marie Jeanne heads. Then there's the invasion of the disposable puff, which is attacking vape and therefore vaping CBD at the same time.
To find out more about CBD, take a look at our guide: What is CBD?
E-liquids with CBD: understanding them for better vaping
CBD e-liquids are a very popular form of cannabidiol (CBD) consumption. An eliquid is designed to be vaporised in an electronic vaporiser, better known as an electronic cigarette, and offers a convenient and discreet method of consuming CBD.
Inhaling CBD is considered to be the fastest and most effective method of administration, as it allows cannabidiol to be absorbed almost immediately by the body. What's more, CBD liquids are considered safer than other methods of administration, as they are free from chemical solvents, combustion products and smoke.
Like traditional nicotine eliquids, CBD eliquids are available in a wide variety of flavours. You'll find the usual sweet or fruity flavours, but also lots of hemp-flavoured flavours to keep with the CBD cannabis vibe. Cannabidiol liquids flavoured with hemp will very often have names containing the terms ‘skunk’, ‘haze’ or ‘kush’, which will be very familiar to those lucky enough to have visited Amsterdam. These cannabis flavours are achieved by using terpenes to recreate that distinctive planty taste.
CBD eliquids, like nicotine eliquids, come in different strengths. The difference is that the rate of a product containing CBD is expressed in mg/vial and not in mg/ml as is the case with nicotine liquids. Levels vary from 30 mg to over 600 mg, and as the effects vary from person to person, it's important to start small so as to get an idea of your tolerance to cannabidiol.
Now that you know a little more about CBD eliquids, here's the most important information in this guide: the PG/VG ratios. The ratio of propylene glycol to vegetable glycerine in a CBD eliquid is generally between 80PG/20VG and 60PG/40VG. This means that a CBD liquid is very fluid and cannot be vaped in any particular way. But don't panic! In the rest of this guide, we'll explain how to get the right equipment.
Which electronic cigarette should I use to vape CBD?
If you're looking for an electronic cigarette to vape CBD liquids, it's important to get informed beforehand to get the best possible experience and vape cannabidiol in the best possible conditions. CBD eliquid is quite temperamental and a few rules are in order to avoid experiencing one of the worst moments of your vaping career. In this chapter, we'll look at the main criteria to take into account when choosing an electronic cigarette for vaping CBD and give you some advice on choosing the right electronic cigarette.
In theory, any e-cigarette can be used to vape CBD. In practice, the only real points to bear in mind are the power at which you vape the cannabidiol and, consequently, using a coil that is compatible with that power. In terms of equipment, it's the tank that you need to choose, whether it's a clearomizer or a pod cartridge. It's the tank and its coils that will dictate the correct use of your CBD liquids. If you're not already equipped, you can find a vast choice of electronic cigarettes compatible with CBD liquids on Freevap.ch. Whether you need a complete kit ready to vape or specific products such as a clearomizer, a tank for your pod or a battery, find your equipment at the best price.
What strength should you use to vape CBD?
Cannabidiol is a fragile molecule that needs to be treated gently. It should therefore be vaped at low wattage, 15 watts being the maximum recommended. Vaping a CBD liquid at high wattage will result in a very bad taste experience, as well as destroying the molecule and therefore its beneficial effects. 15 watts is a very low wattage, so there's no need for a monster dual-accumulator battery unless you want to enjoy 15 days' autonomy. A small pod or a small electronic cigarette fitted with an MTL (indirect inhalation) clearomizer will do the trick. Electronic cigarettes with variable wattage have the advantage of letting you adjust your wattage precisely, unlike e-cigarettes, which automatically adjust their wattage to the coil installed, which can be useful when using liquids as sensitive as CBD.
Which coils are compatible with CBD e-liquids?
Probably the most important point when it comes to equipping yourself to vape CBD, the choice of the right coil is essential. As you will have realised, CBD liquids are fragile and therefore require a coil that will take care of them. We recommend using a coil of at least 1 ohm and don't hesitate to go up to 1.6 ohm or even 1.8 ohm, depending on your preferences. Coils of this type will provide gentle heating so you can vape your cannabidiol comfortably and get the best out of its effects. Anything less than 1 ohm should be avoided, as this will only damage your e-liquid, the CBD molecules, your coil and your tank. My apologies to vapers who like big vapour, but you won't be making big hemp-flavoured sub-ohm clouds.
It's important to note that despite their benefits, CBD eliquids contain cannabidiol oils that won't be kind to your coils, so their lifespan will be reduced compared with using a nicotine eliquid. Find a wide choice of coils adapted to CBD liquids.
Some expert advice for a successful CBD vape!
If you intend to use CBD regularly with your electronic cigarette, dedicating a clearomizer, a pod cartridge and why not a complete e-cigarette kit to CBD consumption is not a bad idea. In fact, the aromas in CBD liquids, especially those containing terpenes, tend to leave olfactory and taste traces of their passage, so it will be difficult to fully enjoy a standard liquid in a tank that has seen a cannabidiol liquid pass through it.
It's also worth noting that the higher the CBD content of your eliquid, the lower the wattage of your electronic cigarette, hence the advantage of using a variable-wattage battery.
Even if it's not forbidden, avoid vaping CBD at work or while driving - you're never safe from a little drowsiness. At work, you'll just get a little puff from the boss, nothing too serious, but in the car it can be more annoying.
If you are undergoing medical treatment, seek your doctor's advice before consuming products containing CBD.
Herbal vaporisers
Another way of vaping CBD, this time without using e-liquids, but by vaping dried CBD herbs directly. This is made possible by the use of dry herb vaporisers. This method is considered safer than burning dried herbs, as it does not involve inhaling harmful substances and will delight fans of hemp in its raw state.
Dried herb vaporisers are available in many forms, from stationary vaporisers to portable vaporisers that look a lot like an electronic cigarette, but work a little differently. They are designed to heat dry herb to a relatively low temperature, producing a vapour rich in active ingredients, as opposed to combustion, which produces harmful fumes. To do this, you place your dried herb in a ceramic chamber, a bit like an electronic cigarette tank filled with liquid. In general, dry herb vaporisers are very easy to use and can be set to different temperatures depending on the preference of the vaper. For the record, CBD in plant form heats up best between 170°C and 190°C, and it's at these temperatures that you'll get the best out of the famous molecule derived from hemp. Although its use is illegal, for information and education purposes only, THC is 157°C ;).
Disposable CBD puffs
Whether you follow the vape industry from near or far, you can't have missed the arrival of the disposable puff, also known as the vape pen. These disposable electronic cigarettes have revolutionised the market with their ease of use and small pod-like format. These small, single-use e-cigarettes make it easy to vape, which is a positive factor when it comes to giving up smoking, but we have to admit that they are not the best gift we can give Mother Nature, as they create a lot of waste. Just like its nicotine counterpart, the disposable CBD puff is an excellent way of testing the product, but if the mayonnaise takes, turning to open material is the best option. You'll not only save money, but you'll also improve the quality of your vape, with access to a wide range of liquids in a variety of flavours and, above all, better flavour rendition thanks to more powerful coils.
