HOW MUCH CBD SHOULD YOU VAPE FOR ANXIETY?

Cannabidiol is surely having its moment in the spotlight – in America and worldwide. Countries such as England and Scotland have also made the bold step of legalizing CBD for medical, recreational, and commercial use. Perhaps the redefinition of hemp according to the Controlled Substances Act set the ball rolling for favorable legislation concerning CBD.

Vaping has come under intense scrutiny, especially by some medics. Several medics claim that vaping has inadvertently caused lung-related problems. However, other medics advocate for vaping CBD to reduce anxiety since the effects are experienced quicker and work more effectively. How much CBD should you vape for anxiety?

UNDERSTANDING CBD: WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

The close association between CBD and marijuana has led people to assume that they similarly affect the body blissfully. However, according to McGuire et al. (2014), CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in hemp. Hemp and marijuana are plant strains of the cannabis plant, with hemp containing higher levels of CBD while marijuana contains higher levels of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is safe to say that THC, not CBD, is responsible for the “high” sensation experienced after using cannabis.

Terpenes and flavonoids are other chemical compounds found in hemp. Booth & Bohlmann (2019) stated that terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds in plants responsible for their flavor and characteristic scent. Terpenes have anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain, while flavonoids protect cells from oxidative damage that may otherwise cause diseases.

IS CBD LEGAL?

Congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018. This new legislation sought to redefine hemp according to the Controlled Substances Act, and therefore it was removed from the legal definition of marijuana. This legislation may have been guided by recent scientific research that distinguished hemp as a non-psychoactive plant strain. Even though hemp is federally legal, very few CBD oil products have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, it may prove not easy to determine which CBD oil products are genuine and of high quality.

Several states have developed laws and regulations regarding the use of CBD. Currently, 36 states have legalized CBD for medical use, while 14 other states have legalized CBD for recreational use.

IS CBD SAFE? HOW EXACTLY DOES IT WORK?

There are several ways in which CBD can be processed. These include CBD tinctures, gummies, vapes, capsules, and topical CBD products. Cooray et al. (2020) established that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the brain through the CB1 receptors. The endocannabinoid system regulates sleep, appetite, and homeostatic processes. CBD remains safe since it only causes side effects like migraines and nausea when overdosing. It is incumbent upon you to always purchase high-quality CBD oil to minimize any possible health risks.

How Much CBD Should You Vape For Anxiety?

CBD oil can be inhaled by using CBD vape oil pens. These vape cartridges contain e-liquids infused with CBD oil and heated at low temperatures before inhaling. CBD has anti-depressant properties that help in improving mood and reducing anxiety levels. CBD activates the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that plays an integral role in body functions such as wound healing, blood clotting, sleep, mood, and sexual desire. Lower serotonin levels are associated with people who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. CBD raises serotonin levels to reduce anxiety and improve cognitive function.

There is no precise amount of CBD in one puff. The total potency of CBD in the vape juice may determine the amount of CBD in a puff. Moreover, a person’s preferred style of vaping may determine how much CBD they consume in each puff.

New and avid users of CBD oil have different doses. The FDA recommends 70mg of CBD daily for new users. Research suggests that humans can tolerate 1500mg of CBD daily, although this dosage is not common for new and even most enthusiastic users.

If you wish to vape CBD to alleviate anxiety, it is recommended to check the dosage labeled on your oil cartridge. Start with small doses as you gradually increase to higher dosage levels. Since the effects are felt quickly, about 5-10 CBD vape sessions per day would do the trick, although taking small puffs while vaping is advisable to avoid overdosing.

However, it is important to always consult your doctor for more clarification concerning the right dose for you. You may be tempted to increase the dose to alleviate anxiety symptoms quickly, but this might prove detrimental as you risk suffering from drowsiness, migraines, and nausea. A person’s age, weight, and frequency of CBD use also determine their dosage.

POSSIBLE RISKS OF VAPING CBD

There are several other disadvantages of constantly vaping CBD oil. To begin with, the FDA does not regulate the labeling and manufacturing of CBD oil products in the USA. The absence of oversight authority has led to the mass production of substandard CBD oil products.

Research has suggested that some e-liquids contain higher amounts of CBD than those suggested on the label. This may lead to overdosing since people are misguided by the false information placed on the product label.

Lynn Marie Morski (2021) recommended a potential respiratory hazard of inhaling cuticle wax. This may be accrued to the fact that vaping incorporates significantly lower temperatures. Therefore, vaping may not entirely burn away the wax layer. Moreover, other serious long-term health concerns emerge from using vape pens, such as lung damage

Common indicators of respiratory diseases would include:

Discomfort while breathing
Constant coughing
Coughing up blood or mucus
Shortness of breath

A word of caution

The Centre for Disease Control suggests that while vaping, ensure that you purchase CBD vape cartridges and products from reputable brands. Furthermore:

Do not use vaping products that contain harmful chemicals such as vitamin E acetate
Do not use vape products if you are pregnant or under any serious medication (such as heart rhythm medications)
Ascertain that the brand conducts independent third-party tests to ensure higher purity levels

SUMMARY

Vaping CBD can prove beneficial for people with anxiety symptoms. It is recommendable always to ensure that you take small doses of CBD, especially if you are a new user. Ensure that you purchase high-quality CBD products to minimize any possible health risks, such as severe lung damage caused by vaping, shortness of breath, and constant coughing

REFERENCES

Cooray, R., Gupta, V., & Suphioglu, C. (2020). Current Aspects Of The Endocannabinoid System And Targeted THC And CBD Phytocannabinoids As Potential Therapeutics For Parkinson’s And Alzheimer’s Diseases: A Review. Molecular Neurobiology, 57(11), 4878-4890.

Huestis, M. A., Solimini, R., Pichini, S., Pacifici, R., Carlier, J., & Busardò, F. P. (2019). Cannabidiol Adverse Effects And Toxicity. Current Neuropharmacology, 17(10), 974–989.

Lavigne, J.E., Hecksel, R., Keresztes, A. Et Al. Cannabis Sativa Terpenes Are Cannabimimetic And Selectively Enhance Cannabinoid Activity. Sci Rep 11, 8232 (2021).

LYNN MARIE MORSKI, MD, ESQ., President, Psychedelic Medicine Association Host, Psychedelic Medicine Podcast, Medical Director, Nue Life Health.

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Crystal Kadir

GP and Sex & Relationship Adviser at shopgiejo.com

MS, Durham University
GP

The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.