As vaping gains popularity, the use of CBD has spread worldwide. CBD is often associated with relaxation and potential therapeutic effects in specific situations, but what’s the real story behind it?
Let’s delve into the truth about CBD, a molecule that’s often grouped together with cannabis, yet stands apart in many ways.
CBD was identified in 1940 by Adams and colleagues, though its chemical structure wasn’t fully understood until 1963. Research on CBD surged during the 1990s and 2000s for a couple of reasons.
First, there were changes in regulations, particularly in the United States, that allowed more study of cannabis and its compounds.
Second, advancements in understanding the way cannabinoids work, like their interaction with receptors in the body, revealed that THC wasn’t the sole cannabinoid with therapeutic potential.
Today, over a hundred cannabinoids have been identified. However, THC and CBD are the most studied due to their early discovery and prevalence in Cannabis sativa L., the cannabis plant.
CBD Vs. THC
CBD and THC share strikingly similar chemical structures and possess valuable therapeutic properties such as pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects.
However, their key distinctions lie in their side effects and intended uses.
Notably, CBD has significantly fewer confirmed side effects compared to THC. Our investigation identified only two side effects for CBD, whereas THC exhibited more than ten.
The pivotal contrast between these molecules is that CBD doesn’t induce psychoactive effects. Unlike THC and cannabis, CBD doesn’t lead to euphoria. People turn to CBD with the aim of enhancing their well-being rather than seeking any mind-altering experiences.
Pharmacological Effects
CBD exhibits a range of pharmacological effects with varying levels of evidence. Among the most noteworthy are its anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), antipsychotic, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
These characteristics allow CBD to effectively alleviate stress and anxiety. Additionally, CBD can mitigate the psychoactive effects of THC.
Ongoing research suggests that CBD might aid in reducing withdrawal symptoms linked to addiction. For those using personal vaping, this potential feature could be beneficial in terms of quitting smoking and managing nicotine withdrawal.
Moreover, CBD possesses sedative, neuroprotective, anti-epileptic, and anti-dystonic (reducing muscle tone disorders) properties.
Benefits of Inhaled CBD
The appeal of CBD also lies in its bioavailability, which refers to how much of a molecule is absorbed by the body when inhaled.
When we inhale a substance, not all of it gets absorbed; some are exhaled, and some deteriorate before being absorbed. Bioavailability is the percentage of the molecule that’s actually absorbed compared to the total consumed.
With CBD, its bioavailability is 100% when injected intravenously, about 20% when inhaled, and around 8% when ingested.
Inhalation leads to higher absorption of the consumed CBD compared to ingestion, and it also facilitates faster transmission of sensory signals to the brain, even more so than intravenous injection.
Moreover, CBD pairs well with vaping since it vaporizes at temperatures similar to what can be achieved with a personal vape. This makes vaping an efficient and effective method of delivering CBD to the body.
Conclusion
Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC are fundamentally distinct in terms of their usage, intended purposes, and sought-after pharmacological effects (with CBD not producing psychoactive effects).
Furthermore, the nature of the molecule and its vaporization characteristics make CBD e-liquids a logical development, as personal vaporizers are well-suited for consuming this type of molecule.
A broad array of CBD products is available, including e-liquids, but not all are suitable for inhalation. Consumers must exercise caution when choosing their products to ensure safety and appropriateness for inhalation.
