Should you make the switch to CBD vaping? Quitting smoking is hard and vaping offers a perfect alternative, but should you also quit nicotine?
CBD vs Nicotine – Can You Quit Smoking with CBD Vapes?
A new alternative to nicotine vaping that could work for you
You may be looking to quit smoking and an alternative to nicotine, the highly addictive substance in cigarettes. And in your search, you’ve found mentions of CBD (Cannabidiol). If you’re new to CBD, this is extracted from the cannabis plant and is a non-addictive, non-psychoactive compound. In the last five years or so, CBD has risen in popularity in the UK, US and EU (where it is legal to use), and with it, it has given rise to a wide variety of CBD products.
Users of CBD vary their reasons for taking CBD, with many only really understanding its potential benefits after trying it for themselves. And with the creation of CBD vaping products, a new, easy-to-use reason to try CBD was created. So, the question is, can CBD vaping products help you quit smoking?
What is CBD vape juice?
When it comes to CBD E-Liquid, it’s important to note two things. One, CBD vape juice is very different from CBD Oil and two, CBD E-Liquid is different from normal E-Liquid.
CBD vape juice can be referred to as CBD oil but they are very different products. CBD oil should not be vaped. This is due to the very nature of CBD oil – CBD is suspended in a carrier oil such as coconut oil, hemp seed oil or vegetable oil. This is perfectly fine for ingesting as the oil sublingually or in your food and drink. Vaping vegetable oil however creates a dangerous by-product that should not be inhaled.
CBD vape juice is instead mixed with vegetable glycerine (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) like traditional E-Liquids. Vegetable glycerine is the vape-friendly version created by removing the fatty acids from the vegetable oil, that should not be vaped.
When comparing CBD E-Liquid to normal E-Liquid, the biggest difference is that CBD vape juice does not contain any nicotine. They contain the same base ingredients – VG, PG and flavourings – but rather than nicotine, they contain CBD making them less addictive.
The difference between CBD and Nicotine
If you’re a smoker, you probably are already aware of the addictive capabilities of nicotine. It’s often the main reason smokers have trouble with quitting and sometimes it’s hard to recognise that you are addicted to nicotine until the withdrawal symptoms hit. Whereas CBD is not an addictive substance. It’s also non-psychoactive so won’t get you high due to there being no THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). For smokers looking to quit and say goodbye to nicotine for good, CBD could be a good option for you. But why should you want to quit nicotine in the first place?
Nicotine – the devil you know
One of the key parts of a cigarette, and what makes the act of smoking enjoyable, is the highly addictive stimulant found in tobacco – nicotine. Although research into nicotine, on its own, finds that it is harmless in comparison to the hundreds of harmful carcinogens resulting from burning cigarettes, many look to quit nicotine for good.
High usage of nicotine likely to be experienced by heavy/chain smokers can lead to feelings of nausea, rapid heart rate, hypertension, headaches, dizziness, and many others. Going cold turkey from cigarettes can introduce withdrawal symptoms that include depressed mood, stress, anxiety, irritability, and more negative effects.
Nicotine itself doesn’t cause cancer and many of the health issues associated with cigarette smoking. Rather this is caused by the numerous compounds like tar, ammonia and benzene in cigarette smoke that are toxic and highly damaging to our cells. E-Cigarettes and vaping offer a less harmful way to consume nicotine, but for some vapers, making the switch to CBD vapes could be better.
How CBD vape could help
There are many reasons why vapers are making the switch to CBD vape juice rather than traditional nicotine E-Liquid. Vapers can incorporate CBD vape into their life with ease due to the availability of CBD E-Liquid and disposable CBD vape pens. Research into the potential benefits of CBD is still in its infancy, but users of CBD often tout positive effects, but as with many things, the effects of CBD can be subjective to the user.
As mentioned before, CBD is a non-addictive substance in comparison to nicotine, and by vaping CBD ex-smokers can experience the same/similar effects as smoking without worrying about nicotine intake. Does this mean that all smokers looking to switch to vaping should take up CBD vaping instead? Not necessarily, in reality, it is up to you to decide which you feel is more beneficial for you. Likewise, for those looking to use CBD and feel the effects of CBD faster, vaping offers the perfect way to achieve this compared to other CBD methods.
It's important to weigh out your pros and cons when deciding but making the choice to quit smoking is certainly the best first step.
