Among the best-informed CBD enthusiasts, vaping is one of the most popular methods of ingestion. Vaping CBD can be especially effective because the CBD enters the lungs and diffuses directly into the bloodstream, rather than passing through the gut and liver. This means the body is able to process the CBD quickly and efficiently, so the beneficial effects can be achieved with a much smaller amount of CBD. The effects of vaping are also felt instantaneously, compared with about a half hour after ingesting CBD oils and edibles.
Whatever the method of ingestion, choosing a high-quality CBD product is important (who wants to waste money on placebo effects from a low-quality oil?), but it’s especially important when choosing a vape and cartridges because there are safety considerations that come into play. Despite the fact that CBD products should enhance wellness, vaping got a bad reputation because many vapes and cartridges include ingredients and materials that can actually cause harm.
When buying CBD vaping products, important factors to consider include third-party testing, extract type, source location, and extraction process. Here’s how to find safe, high-quality products:
Third-Party Testing
Because CBD products are not yet regulated and existing companies have not been required to test for active ingredients or contaminants, it falls to brands to ensure the safety and quality of their products. Those looking to capitalize on the CBD trend use false or misleading dosing instructions and often sell products that contain toxins that can enter the lungs and cause harm.
Look for brands that validate the quality and safety of their products through independent lab tests. It’s important to note whether the brand tests to ensure that none of their products contain any heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, or microbacteria.
Hemp plants are actually very effective at cleaning the soil by absorbing all the toxins, which is great for cleaning our environment but consuming extracts from that hemp could be harmful. A 2016 study by one of the leading independent labs in the country has shown that in the California medical marijuana market, 84% of all oils they tested had unacceptable levels of pesticides. That’s one of the reasons why reputable companies voluntarily test every batch and make sure to communicate that clearly.
Beyond ensuring the product safety, we work with independent labs to test for cannabinoids and terpenes, the active ingredients that stimulate your endocannabinoid system.
Ingredients
Especially for those new to CBD, it can be difficult to tell the difference between active ingredients and filler ingredients. Vitamin E has to be “good,” right? Nope. It might be fine in a skincare product, but when it comes to vape cartridges, vitamin E is a filler ingredient that can cause harmful side effects.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for artificial flavors, even if you don’t already avoid them in food products. Artificial flavors may be harmful when vaporized and could lead to the development of various lung diseases.
There’s another ingredient that everyone who saw K2 or Spice in the news knows to avoid: synthetic cannabinoids. The power of CBD comes from a plant—there’s no good lab replacement for that.
All of the ingredients in our products are plant-derived, made with hemp grown in Oregon and extracted in Washington State. Our products are formulated and made into finished products in Brooklyn.
Hardware
Many of the factories that manufacture vape hardware have low quality standards, especially when it comes to the grade of materials they use. Many brands opt for cheaper hardware made with materials that become potentially carcinogenic at high temperatures. Both our vape cartridges and batteries are made using high-quality materials, and our variable voltage batteries ensure additional safety.
When you choose the right products, vaping is a safe and effective way to experience the health benefits of CBD. If you have any questions about vape safety, we encourage you to reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.