3 quality criteria and lots of tips for choosing your CBD oil
March 24, 2021
The great history of cannabis
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Encouraged by anti-smoking policies, electronic cigarettes have been part of our daily lives for several years now. But a few months ago, a new kind of product appeared in vapers' favorite stores: CBD e-liquid.
Often adorned with a pretty hemp leaf, the little bottle raises many questions: what is CBD? Does it have the same effects as cannabis? Is it really legal?
Today, we'll answer all these questions and more.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, one of the active substances in cannabis
CBD stands for cannabidiol. And as it implies, it does indeed come from cannabis, just like the famous THC.
However, although these two substances belong to the same family (they're both cannabinoids), are synthesized from the same molecule (CBGA) and even share the same chemical formula (C21H30O2), they actually have very little to do with each other once in our bodies.
As you no doubt know, THC is responsible for the psychotropic effects that can be experienced when consuming certain varieties of so-called "recreational" cannabis.
CBD, on the other hand, has absolutely no such effect. As such, you may have heard of "therapeutic cannabis", which is very popular in the USA. These are CBD-concentrated hemp varieties that contain no THC.
CBD in our bodies
You may not know it, but your body is packed with receptors specially designed to accommodate cannabinoids (THC, CBD and others). It's called the endocannabinoid system.
And that's not all. These receptors are located at strategic points: in the spinal cord, our lungs, the digestive system, the spleen, and so on. They regulate some of our vital functions and contribute to our homeostasis (environmental balance).
CBD has been extensively studied, and we now know that this cannabinoid reacts primarily with the CB2 receptor. It also has many possible therapeutic applications. THC, on the other hand, has a greater affinity with the other type of receptor known to date, CB1.
THC and CBD have the same chemical formula, but not the same structure! That's why they don't react with the same receptors in the cannabinoid system.
The potential benefits of CBD
Despite the ancestral therapeutic use of hemp, it wasn't until the 1990s and even the early 2000s that CBD attracted the interest of pharmaceutical companies. Several beneficial properties were attributed to cannabidiol:
This short list is not exhaustive: CBD is a molecule with infinite therapeutic possibilities. That's why its use doesn't just attract recreational cannabis enthusiasts - quite the contrary.
Please note that CBD-based products are not medicines!
CBD consumption
CBD appeals to a wide audience, which is why there's also a wide variety of CBD-based products: flowers, oils, creams, edibles, capsules and more. There really is something for everyone.
On this occasion, we're going to focus on CBD e-liquid: its composition, its effects, how to recognize a good quality product, where to get it, etc. In short. We tell you everything we know about CBD e-liquid.
CBD e-liquid: what is it?
Composition of a CBD e-liquid
Like all e-liquids, CBD e-liquid contains mainly propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (GV):
- Propylene glycol : a colorless, odorless liquid whose purpose is to transmit flavors and aromas. It is responsible for the famous "hit". Very familiar to smokers, it's the brief sensation of the throat contracting as the vapor is inhaled. The higher its proportion in the PG/GV blend, the more pronounced the e-liquid's "hit".
- Vegetable glycerine : you may have already heard of this viscous liquid, which is used to make soaps, for example. In e-liquids, the purpose of GV is to densify the smoke.
In most cases, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine together account for almost 80% of the composition of CBD e-liquid. Other ingredients include :
- CBD : most often mixed with PG and GV in its purest form, i.e. as CBD crystals. But we'll see that it can also be extracted by infusion. In any case, different dosages are possible, depending on taste and consumer preference.
- Hemp terpenes : terpenes are found in the resin of many plants, and are the molecules responsible for a plant's characteristic aromas. In a CBD e-liquid, you'll obviously find terpenes from hemp.
The different types of CBD e-liquid
CBD e-liquids can be classified into several families according to their CBD concentration, the spectrum of terpenes of which they are composed, but also according to the manufacturing process used:
Why vape CBD e-liquid?
As we said earlier, CBD can be consumed in a thousand and one ways. Each CBD product has its own advantages. What are those of e-liquid?
Well, first of all, vaping CBD allows you to enjoy its potential benefits more than ingesting it (in capsule or oil form). In fact, the molecule's bioavailability is much better (around 20% vs. only 8% by ingestion), as it reaches the bloodstream and brain more quickly via the respiratory tract.
As we've already seen, some e-liquids perfectly reproduce the fruity, woody or sweet flavors of certain varieties of hemp, which are particularly pleasing to the taste buds. Connoisseurs and neophytes alike can enjoy an e-liquid with intense, complex flavours, formulated from natural aromas.
A final argument in favor of CBD e-liquid: it can be used to replace nicotine. Although its effects are practically antagonistic (nicotine excites, while CBD tranquilizes), the "hit" produced by CBD e-liquid is similar to that experienced by tobacco smokers. In fact, some studies tend to show that CBD consumption actually reduces the number of cigarettes smoked.
Although CBD e-liquid is not a medicine and French law does not recognize its therapeutic effects, many consumers vape CBD for its relaxing, pain-relieving and antioxidant properties.
How do I vapourize CBD e-liquid?
Choosing an e-cigarette
CBD e-liquid is vaped in exactly the same way as any other e-liquid. So if you're a committed vapoter, you can use your usual electronic cigarette. We recommend, however, that you dedicate an exclusive clearomizer to the use of your CBD e-liquid. This will avoid taste contamination.
If you're new to vaping, first of all you should know that vaping can be either direct (directly to the lungs) or indirect (first through the mouth, then to the lungs, just like smoking), and that this technique will determine the type of electronic cigarette you buy.
Most CBD e-liquid enthusiasts opt for indirect inhalation, as the flavors are more fully restored.
As for resistance, in indirect inhalation and more specifically for CBD e-liquids, we recommend opting for a resistance higher than 1 ohm. The resulting vapour will be cool, discreet and more pleasant in the mouth, as it will be tastier. What's more, given the high price of this type of e-liquid, vaping it slowly will save you money!
To sum up:
No need to buy a special CBD e-cigarette. A dedicated clearomizer is all you need.
E-cigarettes designed for indirect inhalation are preferable.
Choose a resistor equal to or greater than 1 ohm.
Dosage: choosing the right concentration of CBD
Just as there are e-liquids with higher and lower doses of nicotine, there are e-liquids with higher and lower doses of CBD. Your choice will depend on your habits, tastes and expectations in terms of the desired effects.
Every body is different: some people are more sensitive than others to the relaxing effects of CBD. It is therefore advisable to start with a low concentration and increase the dosage if necessary.
Good consumer practices
While there's really no right or wrong way to vape CBD, it's important to be aware that it can cause mild drowsiness and make it harder to concentrate.
Because of this, and especially if you've never inhaled CBD, we recommend :
Cannabis consumption tests are designed to detect the presence of THC. Vaporizing CBD cannot therefore produce a positive result, unless you consume it in very large quantities.
And for those wondering: yes, it is possible to add nicotine to your CBD e-liquid. But there's not much point, since their effects contradict each other. Better to take advantage of CBD to try and kick your nicotine addiction!
Is e-liquid legal and safe?
Legal framework for the sale and consumption of e-liquid CDB
CBD e-liquids have only recently appeared in French stores and for good reason, the decree regulating the import and marketing of CBD-based e-liquids is quite young, dating back to November 19, 2020.
Today, the European Court of Justice has ruled that CBD oil is not a narcotic. Prohibiting its sale would therefore constitute an obstacle to free movement.
This measure is definitely a step forward, but note that the CJEU does not (yet) recognize the therapeutic effects of CBD.
This measure is definitely a step forward, but note that the CJEU does not (yet) recognize the therapeutic effects of CBD.
If you'd like to find out more, and read the government's report, click here. here.
In any case, CBD e-liquids, like all CBD products, are strictly regulated: under no circumstances may they contain more than 0.2% THC. This cannabinoid is a psychotropic substance and considered a narcotic.
Side effects of cannabidiol
To date, there is no real hindsight on the possible harmful effects of vaping e-liquid. And as far as CBD is concerned, studies on its side effects are still few and far between. Nevertheless, they all tend to show that cannabidiol causes only minor side effects.
- Diarrhea 😣
- Sleepiness 😴
- Changes in appetite 😋
- Headaches 🤯
Once again, we remind you that some people are more or less sensitive to CBD. It is therefore advisable to use low doses when starting out.
According to this report, 1500 mg of CBD per day (3 three 10 ml vials) is fairly well tolerated by humans and is a priori safe.
Can you get hooked on CBD?
Unlike THC (and nicotine), cannabidiol is not a psychotropic drug. As a result, it does not trigger the release of dopamine, and its consumption is not chemically associated with the notion of pleasure. CBD is therefore unlikely to make you dependent, at least in the strict sense of the term.
Where can I buy quality CBD e-liquid?
Whether for its taste, its supposed properties or simply out of curiosity, choosing a good quality CBD e-liquid is essential... But it's not always easy!
The CBD market, and more specifically that of CBD e-liquid, is booming, and we're the first to congratulate the arrival of new players. Unfortunately, we can't say that all CBD e-liquids are equal in terms of quality- far from it.
What do you expect? A buoyant market means profiteers, whatever the sector.
Some CBD e-liquids are made from low-grade CBD crystals, where the molecule is extracted with harmful chemicals. Others proudly display the name of a popular strain, but contain no terpenes. What's more, some CBD e-liquids don't contain terpenes at all, but only artificial flavourings... And the sad thing is that the savings made on quality aren't necessarily passed on in the sale price!
In short, as always, check with your dealer before you buy.
The CBD Guide brings together ethical CBD stores in France that offer only quality CBD products.
