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Medical cannabis can be prescribed in many different forms, from vaporisers and oils to edibles and vape carts. If you’re new to medical cannabis, you may not find the right method of consumption for you the first time. But by working with your pharmacist, you should eventually find what works for you.
One of these methods could be vaporising (or ‘vapes’), which is becoming more popular due to the fact that UK doctors will always recommend it as the only safe way to inhale cannabis as medication. Patients are not protected legally if they smoke medical cannabis.
The cannabis plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, a class of chemical compounds that interact with receptors in our cells and alter the release of chemicals in the brain. In this article, we’ll explore CBD, which is just one of those compounds that you’ve probably heard of. We’ll cover how to use a CBD vape product, the potential effects and some safety tips you might want to keep in mind.
How Do You Vape CBD?
Not all forms of cannabis are consumed in the same way, and this is the same when we talk about vaporising. There are currently two forms of CBD that are vapeable and available on prescription:
- CBD vape cartridges: Concentrated CBD that is inhaled or consumed using a 510 battery.
- CBD flower: Cannabis CBD flower that is inhaled or consumed using a dry herb vaporiser.
Then there are also a couple forms of vapeable CBD that can be accessed from high street shops or online:
- CBD concentrates: This includes CBD isolate, or wax and is inhaled or consumed with a dab pen or other concentrate-specific device.
- CBD disposable vapes: These are similar to vape cartridges but often sold for cheap on high streets. They’re not regulated, so it’s hard to know what’s inside.
Vaping THC Products
Tetrahydrocannabinolis (THC) is another natural compound you’ll see a lot when researching medical cannabis. Although THC is psychoactive, so can be behind that cannabis ‘high’, it also has a lot of medical benefits when prescribed and used correctly.
You vaporise THC products the same way you would CBD, flower or vape cartridges on prescription. The only real difference is the chemical make up of the medication. When prescribed medicinally, balanced products are also available. These contain a mixture of THC and CBD % - for example 10% THC and 10% CBD - and will provide further relief. There’s evidence to suggest that CBD is more effective when used with some THC.
Potential Side Effects of Vaping CBD
CBD is not psychoactive, so isn’t behind the ‘high’ feeling cannabis is sometimes associated with. Instead, it has a lot of therapeutic benefits, and can help alleviate symptoms for a bunch of conditions including chronic pain, anxiety and even epilepsy.
Using an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vaporiser, you inhale the substance. When cannabis is consumed through combustion, harmful toxins are also inhaled and absorbed by the body. CBD vaping, and vaporisation in general, helps cannabis users and patients mitigate these risks.
Another reason for its popularity is down to the rapid onset of effects. Compared to other methods of CBD consumption, the vapour is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, and CBD vape effects occur much quicker than if you were using oils or capsules.
Although there are a lot of positive CBD vape effects on health, there can still be risks. Drinking lots of water and starting low and slow could help you avoid some of these, but side effects of CBD vape to look out for include:
- Dry Mouth
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Allergic Reactions
- Drug Interactions
Remember, medical cannabis affects everyone differently. And what happens to one person, may not be the same for you. Don’t panic if you experience any of the above. These side effects should only last for 2 to 3 hours, and the solution may be as simple as adjusting your dosage. But if you are concerned, or experience serious side effects, speak to your pharmacist or doctor as quickly as possible.
As research into CBD vape products progresses, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of how varying concentrations of terpenes - the parts of a plant that produce its smell - and other cannabinoids can be blended or processed to optimise the treatment of specific symptoms.
Safety Tips for Vaping CBD
If you’re wondering how to vape CBD safely you’ve come to the right place. The most important thing to remember is your Alternaleaf doctor will work with you to prescribe the most suitable medication or form based on your condition and symptoms.
We’ve got a few CBD vape safety tips below.
Choose Reputable Brands
It's crucial you purchase and are prescribed CBD products through a reliable and trusted source, such as a medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf. There are multiple brands of vaporisers available at various price points in the UK. A good example of a high performing dry herb vaporiser that can be used with CBD flower is the Mighty Medic, Mighty+ Medic and the Volcano Medic 2, all from Storz & Bickel. We go into a little more detail about these vaporisers here.
Follow Recommended Dosage and Usage Guidelines
It’s likely your vaporiser will have clear instructions on the product label. Your pharmacist will also give you some guidance on what to start with, and when to gradually increase your dosage. As we said before, low and slow is generally what you want to be doing.
Monitor your body’s response. We’ve said it before, but your own body’s tolerance can change how vaping CBD may affect you. Your prescription and dosage may not be right the first time around, so communicate with your pharmacist until you find something that does.
Summary
There are a lot of benefits to vaporising CBD, with evidence to show CBD is often well-tolerated. And as more research is conducted, it’s likely they’ll become more and more popular.
But, just like with any other medication, there can be side effects when vaporising CBD. It’s likely they'll vary from person to person, and you may not experience any at all. The best thing you can do is take your medication as prescribed.
It’s important to use all cannabis medication responsibly, and it never hurts to do your own research. There’s lots of help and information on the Alternaleaf website, and we’re always here to answer any questions you may have.