CBD vape

The act of vaping, particularly among young people, has grown each year since they started gaining popularity in the late 2010s. And given the increasing availability of CBD products, the ability to vape CBD has become commonplace in the UK.

If you’re wondering ‘is vaping CBD addictive?’, especially in the context of the growing popularity of CBD vape pens in the UK, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While vaping CBD is entirely legal under current UK laws, there are still legitimate concerns and questions about its usage, how it’s advertised, and the long-term effects.

Can You Vape CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient in the cannabis plant, and is not the same as THC (tetrahydrocannabidiol), which is the psychoactive substance that produces the ‘high’ feeling. In the UK, CBD products including oils, vapes, drops, and tinctures are sold and licensed as food/food supplements. These products are regulated by the Food Standards Agency, and due to the lack of long-term research into CBD, they state “Based on the information we have, we advise consumers to think carefully before taking any CBD products.”

So, yes, you can vape CBD in the UK.

Are CBD Vapes Legal in the UK?

In order to be licensed for legal consumption in the UK, CBD products must have less than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids (like THC) in the container. A dossier of toxicological data must also be submitted for review and approval by the FSA. Specialist CBD vapes are also legal, but again, must meet the maximum THC requirement and additional regulations applying to other non-nicotine vaping products.

Vaping CBD is legal in the UK, as long as the product is licensed. You should only use CBD e-liquid or a preloaded CBD vape cartridge. You should never use CBD sublingual oil, which is designed to be dropped under the tongue, or carrier oil used to create CBD oil drops in a vape pen or e-cigarette. It can be incredibly dangerous to inhale ‘cbd oil’ when heated, potentially leading to lung infections.

Can Vaping CBD Lead to Addiction?

While more research is needed to understand the short and long-term impact of CBD products, there is currently no scientific evidence to support that vaping CBD is addictive. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated in a report that CBD on its own is unlikely to be subject to abuse or even have a dependence potential, and there are no public health-related issues associated with the use of pure CBD.

THC, however, does provide effects that are indicative of abuse and dependence potential. This is due to the psychoactive part of the chemical, which causes the ‘high’ or ‘spaced’ feeling. Addiction is generally related to intense pleasurable feelings and the desire to replicate them – which CBD doesn’t do on its own. An increased tolerance, meaning you need to take more of the substance for the same effect, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back or quit can also add to the overall risks of addiction.

While some individuals do report a ‘pleasurable’ feeling after using CBD products, these are generally not as intense as consuming THC. One small study found that although THC produced both a ‘high’ and physical effects like rapid heart rate and euphoria, CBD did not produce a similar high or affect heart rate, blood pressure, and cognitive function.

Current research, therefore, suggests that vaping CBD on its own does not lead to addiction.

It’s worth noting that nicotine, on the other hand, is a highly and well-documented addictive substance. And while vapes containing both CBD and nicotine are uncommon, they do exist and can be just as addictive as traditional smoking.

Can You Get ‘High’ from Vaping CBD?

As previously noted, the main cannabinoid and active ingredient associated with the ‘high’ feeling is THC. So, no, you cannot ‘get high’ from solely vaping CBD.

The NHS reports that using products containing CBD may even have medical benefits. Epidyolex, for example, is a highly purified liquid containing CBD that can and has been used to treat epilepsy. There are also numerous trials and studies suggesting that CBD could have other medical uses.

CBD can, and has, been used for offsetting depression, and some users use CBD vape pens for anxiety related symptoms. So if you’re wondering, ‘what do CBD vapes do?’, it essentially has a calming effect on the mind, and reportedly helps to reduce feelings of chronic pain and anxiety.

Risks of Vaping CBD and Disposable CBD Vapes

We understand that vaping CBD is not addictive, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. A review of existing studies on the effect of CBD found that CBD use in animals resulted in several serious issues, including:

  • Developmental toxicity
  • Embryo-foetal mortality
  • Central nervous system inhibition

These involved doses that were larger than the recommended amount for human consumption, however. The studies carried out on humans reported:

  • CBD-induced drug-drug interactions
  • Abnormalities of the liver
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fatigue & drowsiness
  • Vomiting

We’re also beginning to understand that vaping in general carries certain health risks, like damage to the lungs. While most studies have focused on e-cigarettes and disposable vapes containing nicotine, a recent study specifically looked at the risks of vaping CBD. It found that vaping CBD led to more severe lung damage than vaping nicotine. Among other issues, it found that the number and severity of focal lesions (areas of tissue damage) in the lungs were greater after inhalation of CBD aerosols than nicotine aerosols.

While vaping CBD might not be addictive, it can be harmful. If you need help or advice on any kind of substance abuse or addiction, get in touch today.