Everything You Need to Know About Vaping CBD Oil

Fact checked by Sean BlackburnFact checked by Sean Blackburn

One of the newest trends in the growing vape culture is the practice of vaping cannabidiol (CBD) oil. However, vaping CBD oil poses many health risks. Learn more about the possible side effects and hazards of vaping CBD oil and other ways of reaping the potential benefits of CBD.

Why People Vape CBD Oil

Especially where marijuana has been legalized, CBD has been touted as therapeutic for a host of medical problems, such as:

• Anxiety

• Epileptic seizures
  

• Inflammation

• Sleeplessness

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one CBD-based medication: Epiodolex, which is used to treat seizures associated with two severe forms of epilepsy.

Continuing research suggests that CBD might have both physical and mental health benefits, but there is not yet enough evidence to recommend it as a treatment.

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).

Takeaway

Only hemp-derived CBD oil with less than 0.3% of THC oil is legal at the federal level in the U.S. At the state level, CBD is legal in states that have legalized medicinal or recreational marijuana.

Vaping-Related Lung Injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently linked liquid vaping products to an outbreak of nearly 3,000 lung illnesses so serious that even young people were being admitted to the hospital.

Takeaway

Generally speaking, vaping any kind of liquid—including CBD oil—poses health risks.

Although the CDC has linked many of these hospitalizations to vitamin E acetate (which is used to dilute CBD oil), the risks of vaping CBD oil are considerable. This is particularly true of vape pens sold by illicit dealers, online sources, or friends. At least 26 cases involved vaping CBD oil.

Takeaway

Nearly 70 people have died from what is now being called EVALI (e-cigarette and vaping-associated lung injury). The CDC believes thousands more may have been admitted to the hospital with lung issues related to vaping.

Concern About Long-Term Effects

Additionally, numerous scientists, doctors, and researchers are concerned with the safety of inhaling CBD oil because so little is known about the long-term effects. Furthermore, when vaping devices are heated, a chemical reaction takes place that 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 can have various other side effects, such as:

• Diarrhea

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Fatigue

• Impaired memory and thinking

• Nausea

• Stomach upset

• Vomiting

• Increased anxiety

• Changes in mood

• Changes in appetite

CBD Regulations

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 the FDA monitors.

According to the FDA, marketing CBD in food or as a supplement is illegal at the federal level in the U.S. Despite this, the marketing of CBD with unproven medical claims and of unknown quality is an ongoing problem.

The FDA also cautions that CBD can interact with other drugs and may have negative effects on the liver and male fertility. The agency has not yet determined how to regulate CBD vaping products effectively.

Wanted: Regulations

Organizations such as the U.S. Hemp Authority cannot certify CBD oils as they do CBD topicals, tinctures, and edibles because supporting research is lacking. Until some standards are adopted, consumers have no way of knowing exactly what they're buying and using.

Mislabeling

This lack of certification has resulted in the marketing of fake CBD oil products that sometimes contain harmful chemicals. To determine the extent to which this occurs, the Associated Press (AP) commissioned a study of nearly 30 oils claiming to contain CBD. Flora Research Laboratories, which is licensed and inspected by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), conducted the study and found that:

• Ten of the 30 vapes contained synthetic marijuana.

• Eight oils had no detectable level of CBD.

• Fourteen contained less than 0.3% CBD by weight.

• 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 necessarily representative of the entire CBD market.

Some other research found that CBD mislabeling affects up to 70% of CBD products sold online.

Related: What to Know About CBD Oil for Stress Relief Treatment

Alternatives to Vaping CBD

If you want to try CBD but avoid the risks associated with vaping, try these forms:

• Beverages

• Capsules

• Edibles

• Gummies

• Nasal sprays

• Tablets

Remember, however, that these are also unregulated.

Takeaway

If you choose to purchase CBD, look for manufacturers who use third-party testing to verify the ingredients and contents of their products.

Takeaways

If you're considering vaping CBD oil to address a medical concern, talk to your doctor first. In such an unregulated market, risks associated with vaping and CBD oil could be significant, and counterfeit products will not deliver the promised benefits.

Takeaway

For help with substance misuse or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. They can provide information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see Verywell's National Helpline Database.

Read the original article on Verywell Mind.