You probably heard about CBD, but do you know what this catchy acronym stands for? It stands for cannabidiol, one of the cannabis Sativa strain components. Therefore, this guide will fill you in on everything CBD and its potent effects!
For starters, this is a substance with extraordinary medicinal qualities. It’s been the talk of the town for decades since it helps treat mental and physical conditions without having hallucinogenic properties.
Just like nicotine, you can use CBD in your vapes. However, CBD e-liquid holds certain advantages over regular e-liquid—from a smoother PG vs. VG ratio to minimized health risks.
Read below to learn more about these two substances and decide the CBD vs. nicotine vape battle winner!
What is Nicotine?
Let us be of service if you’re keen on learning neat vaping facts! Did you know that tomatoes, eggplants, and the tobacco plant are part of the same plant family?
Going by the mysterious name of nightshade, this plant group is famous for containing tiny amounts of alkaloids. However, one of the alkaloids found in nightshade plants is nicotine.
Nicotine is a stimulant and a substance with highly addictive properties. When nicotine enters the bloodstream, it releases dopamine and adrenaline. However, nicotine users get easily hooked because the pleasant feeling goes away only after a few minutes, and they want that high back.
Many nightshade plants contain nicotine—this includes the tomato you put in your salad. However, the nicotine levels in tomatoes are low and, therefore, not addictive. On the other hand, the tobacco plant has high nicotine concentrations. That’s why people primarily use it for nicotine extraction.
Even though this substance is addictive, it’s not the leading cause of smoking-related illness. The reason why smoking is dangerous lies in the other thousands of other harmful substances contained in a cigarette. Because e-liquid doesn’t include them, vaping is safer than regular smoking.
Do All Vape Juices Contain Nicotine?
No, some vape fluids are nicotine-free. If you visit an online vape shop, you will find a variety of unique e-juices. The nic percentage will vary from product to product, and you can choose e-juice with either little or no amounts of nicotine.
The lowest possible nic concentration is 0 mg, and these e-liquids are entirely nicotine-free. The highest is over 50mg/mL, which can be found in salt nicotine. Still, most nicotine vape juices have 12 and 20 mg/mL concentrations.
The nicotine-free juice has more intense flavoring, which is too much for some vapers. So, another thing you can vape instead of nicotine e-juice is CBD. This substance is like nicotine’s better and wiser older brother. Simply put, it has the best of both worlds and isn’t harmful to humans.
What is CBD?
Cannabis is a flowering plant group with many species like Cannabis sativa, indica, and ruderalis. Each contains many different compounds, which we already mentioned are cannabinoids. CBD and THC are the two most crucial components.
THC is responsible for giving those sweet highs, while CBD’s key benefit is improving human health. So, any guide about vaping will tell you that CBD is neither addictive nor psychoactive. Instead, people use it to treat various symptoms and illnesses, including anxiety, epilepsy, and chronic pain.
How is CBD E-Juice Made?
CBD is extracted directly from cannabis plants. After dividing it from the other substances, they mix it with a carrier oil (primarily vegetable) such as olive, coconut, and avocado oil. This combo is known as CBD oil, and many use it in food additives and capsules.
However, people don’t use CBD oil for vaping. Instead, they use the CBD e-liquid, which you can make in a similar manner. Once the oil CBD is divided from the other cannabinoids and put into the carrier oil, it’s mixed with other chemicals like PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin). That thins the substance out, transforming it into liquid and making it appropriate for vaping.
CBD vs. Nicotine Vape: Key Differences
Nicotine and CBD vape juice are similar to each other. Both are safer than smoking standard cigarettes, contain PG and VG, and smokers consume both in the same way with matching devices.
However, considerable differences separate CBD and nicotine, which mostly have to do with health. Read more about the two key differences and discover why CBD is healthier than nicotine in the long run.
CBD is Not Addictive
Even though it’s not responsible for smoking-related illnesses, nicotine is still highly addictive. Once you start inhaling nicotine e-liquid, there’s no turning back. You would have felt the adrenaline rush, and you will probably feel tempted to have it once again.
That isn’t the case with CBD. This substance is not addictive. It doesn’t give a buzz like nicotine and doesn’t alter the psyche like THC. CBD helps people without requiring anything in return.
CBD Has Medicinal Qualities
Nicotine does not have any medicinal qualities. Because it increases dopamine and adrenaline levels, it can help with stress and anxiety. However, this comes at a cost—addiction.
On the other hand, CBD is widely recognized for its medicinal qualities. Many even use it to relieve cancer-treatment symptoms and severe conditions like epilepsy.
Can You Use CBD To Quit Smoking?
Yes, you can use CBD to quit smoking. Many experts encourage this.
As mentioned above, nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant, whereas CBD is not. For safety measures, manufacturers don’t mix this cannabinoid with any stimulants. That means that your CBD vape juice will not contain any nicotine. So, you can use CBD to slowly transition from tobacco without compromising the satisfaction of taking a hit.
Most importantly, one of CBD’s primary health benefits is it helps overcome addiction, relieving the substance cravings. Of course, this includes nicotine addiction.
Some other mental and physical conditions CBD can treat are:
- Anxiety;
- PTSD;
- Depression;
- Epilepsy;
- Chronic pain;
- Cancer-treatment symptoms;
- High blood pressure;
- Diabetes.
