CBD is often heralded in the wellness space as a natural way to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, relieve pain and improve sleep.
CBD oil in e-cigarettes often contains other ingredients, including MCT oil—which is used to preserve flavor and may cause acute lung toxicity when vaped—and THC. “Some companies add THC along with the CBD oil because [vaping it] has the person feeling really good, and then they want to come back and buy more
Good news: Dr. Rahman says that CBD vaping cessation can allow the lungs to heal from much of the damage caused by a past vaping habit. “The lungs are a beautiful system and can heal as long as the injury is minor,” he says. However, it’s very hard for the lungs to heal from severe damage, he adds, which is why the sooner someone stops vaping CBD, the better.
Both experts reiterate that CBD oil itself isn’t the problem, but rather the act of vaping it. For this reason, they say using CBD oil topically or consuming it orally in foods, drinks and gummies is a healthier habit to adapt.
If you vape CBD as a way to relax, both experts note there are much healthier ways to destress, including meditation, exercise (including going for a short walk) and yoga. If you vape CBD to cope with chronic pain, Dr. Iyer says applying a CBD cream directly to the inflamed area may be an alternative, though topical CBD products also lack clear regulations, he warns. The safest bet is to visit your health care provider, address your chronic pain and come up with a treatment plan together.
