Stress has become a dull part of life. Heavy workloads, financial pressures, health issues, and relationship problems all fuel rising rates of anxiety disorders.
Medications may help some manage symptoms, but many of us seek more natural options with fewer side effects.
This quest for natural remedies to reduce anxiety has shined a spotlight on CBD and its potential to treat anxiety. While CBD is available in various forms, CBD vape pens provide a fast-acting and efficient delivery method that may help reduce your anxiety quickly.
This article explores using CBD vape pens to find calm in the chaos of daily stresses. By understanding CBD and its effects on Anxiety, you can make an informed decision if vaping CBD is right for you.
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid produced by the hemp plant. Unlike the popular cannabinoid THC, responsible for marijuana’s “high,” CBD does not produce the high psychoactive effect.
People use CBD in various forms to harness potential therapeutic properties without altering mental states. Early research indicates CBD may help relieve inflammation, pain, seizures, and anxiety. It’s no wonder it’s gone mainstream.
How Does CBD Work to Help Aleviate Anxiety?
The endocannabinoid system regulates critical bodily functions like mood, sleep, appetite, hormone regulation, and pain response.
This widespread network consists of receptors found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, organs, glands, immune cells, and more.
Your body produces its own endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) that bind these receptors to keep internal functions running smoothly. CBD and other plant cannabinoids can also bind these receptors to potentially trigger beneficial effects and restore balance.
Multiple small studies report CBD reduces behaviors associated with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Evidence also indicates CBD may lessen anxiety induced by public speaking or tests. Scientists need to conduct more research to unlock the complex mechanisms underlying CBD’s anxiety-reducing effects. Initial findings are promising for those seeking natural stress relief.
CBD and Its Interaction With Anxiety Medications
Combining CBD with conventional medications requires caution and medical guidance. CBD may alter the metabolism of certain substances by inhibiting particular liver enzymes.
This can cause levels of other drugs in the bloodstream to increase to potentially dangerous toxicity thresholds. Individuals taking anxiety medications should first consult their healthcare provider before incorporating CBD into their wellness regimen. Your doctor can monitor medication blood levels and adjust dosages if needed.
Why Choose a CBD Vape Pen?
Inhaling CBD vapor enables rapid absorption and quick results. When you vape CBD, it diffuses directly into lung tissues.
From there it quickly enters the bloodstream without passing through the liver or digestive system. This avoids premature breakdown by liver enzymes and gut metabolism.
Vaped CBD takes effect within seconds to minutes while oral products can take 30 minutes or longer. The swift action of inhaled CBD makes it ideal for easing situational anxiety or panic attacks at the moment.
Why is CBD vaped faster than any other consumption method you may ask?
The bioavailability of vaped CBD far exceeded other methods, measuring 56 percent compared to just 16 percent for oral capsules. Vaping is up to nine times more efficient than ingesting CBD into blood circulation.
This increased bioavailability means you may achieve the desired benefits with a much smaller dose when vaping. The highly efficient vaporization process also makes CBD vape pens very cost-effective.
Selecting the Right CBD Vape Pen
Disposable vape pens provide convenience and easy use for new CBD consumers. These all-in-one pens come pre-filled with CBD e-liquid and a pre-charged battery.
After the battery dies the entire pen gets discarded. While convenient, frequent disposable purchases may become expensive.
Refillable vape pens allow vapers to reuse the device by refilling tanks with CBD vape juice as needed.
You’ll avoid the ongoing costs of full pen replacements. However, refillable pens require some maintenance like changing coils and recharging batteries. First-time CBD vape users may want to start with a simple disposable design before graduating to more complex refillable pens.
When selecting any CBD pen, only purchase from manufacturers that provide third-party lab test reports. Reputable companies evaluate products at independent laboratories to verify CBD levels and check for contaminants. This ensures the purity, safety, and legal compliance of the CBD inside the vape pens.
How to Use a CBD Vape Pen for Anxiety
Using a CBD vape pen properly optimizes results. Perform the following steps when first setting up your device:
- Charge the battery if needed. New disposable pens may arrive fully charged while you’ll need to charge refillable pens before initial use. Refer to manufacturer guidelines for charging times and battery life.
- Prime the device. Take a few gentle pulls on your vape without pressing the power button to prep the wick for vaping.
- Adjust settings. Most pens have variable voltage options that heat CBD liquid to different temperatures. Lower temps around 40 watts to limit vapor production but preserve more terpenes and flavonoids. Higher settings above 50 watts increase vapor volume but may burn out flavors and cannabinoids. Set your pen to a lower temp and adjust upwards slowly.
- Inhale a test puff and check vapor quantity/density. Thin wispy vapor indicates the device needs more heat. Thick, harsh vapor means the temperature may be too high. Adjust settings until achieving pleasant moderate vapor density.
Determining the Right CBD Dosage
Effective CBD dosing requires patience and experimentation as responses vary drastically by an individual.
Factors like body weight, metabolism, the severity of anxiety, and prior CBD use impact ideal doses. The best approach is starting low around 5-10 mg of CBD per dose. Vape this amount on days with increased anxiety and monitor effects for a few hours.
If anxiety relief doesn’t seem to subside after several low-dose sessions, incrementally boost your amount by another 2-5 mg. In vaping this means more consecutive puffs.
Repeat these steps until you reach your desired effects. Stick with the lowest dose providing desired benefits to save money and minimize risks of side effects.
Best Practices for Vaping CBD
When using CBD vape to help manage situational anxiety flare-ups, keep your pen handy. Before public speaking engagements or stepping out in public, taking a few puffs during stressful activities can help take the edge off and improve focus.
You may also choose to incorporate CBD into your daily wellness routine after waking up or before bedtime.
Avoid taking too much CBD which can worsen anxiety in some cases. Daily use without extended breaks can also lead to increased tolerance which reduces effects over time.
Get the most from your CBD vape pen by using it only during periods of heightened anxiety. This will ensure its effectiveness over the years to come.
Is Vaping CBD Safe?
Any inhaled substance carries risks, but vaping pure CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD poses few health threats for most adults.
Potential side effects like changes in appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea seem relatively uncommon. Unlike smoking, vaping at appropriate temperatures minimally exposes lungs to tar and toxic combustion byproducts.
However, the outbreak in 2019 of vaping-associated lung injuries due to Black Market vapes being mixed with Vitamin-E acetate does highlight the importance of purchasing reputable products using safe ingredients and manufacturing practices.
When selecting CBD vape products, look for 3rd part lab reports. These reports will indicate the purity and the absence of solvents, pesticides, and Vitamin E acetate.
Legal Status of CBD Vape Pens
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 legalized hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC at the federal level.
However, regulations continue evolving quickly. As of late 2022, 47 US states allow the sale of CBD products in some form.
Yet, laws differ regarding allowable sources, possession limits, sales channels, and use regulations.
Several states restrict vaping products much more tightly than other CBD formats. Check your specific state and local ordinances to ensure your CBD device complies with all governing laws in your jurisdiction before vaping in public.
Maintaining Your CBD Vape Pen
Over time, residue accumulates and degrades vape pen performance. Q-tips dipped in isopropyl alcohol help wipe connections to improve conduction if you purchased a vape pen with cartridges.
Soak and rinse mouthpieces to avoid the transfer of oils and bacteria. Clean off the outer housing and drip tips regularly with a dry paper towel to prevent buildup.
Preserve battery lifespan by recharging once levels dip below 20 percent instead of overdraining to zero. Avoid charging unattended overnight or beyond specified recharge times. Store pens upright in cool, dark spaces away from extreme temperatures to avoid leaks. Turn devices off between use sessions to conserve battery reserves.
Follow your product’s maintenance guidelines regarding when to change coils, tanks, and other atomizer components.
Improperly maintained pens produce less vapor, insufficiently aerosolize CBD, and lose effectiveness over time. Know when failing performance means it’s time to replace your entire pen. Disposable vape pens last around 100-300 puffs.
Rechargeable pens may last up to 40 sessions to a few months before requiring a replacement.
Troubleshooting Common Vape Pen Issues
- Pens short circuit – Carefully clean battery connections with Q-tips and isopropyl alcohol.
- No vapor production – Check power settings, battery charge, and atomizer connections. Prime pen and take gentle draws to soak wicks.
- Harsh, burnt taste – Lower temp setting, refresh e-juice if necessary, and clean mouthpiece.
- Thin vapor – Slightly increase power level, check e-juice levels and top off if low.
- Battery dies prematurely – Avoid fully draining the battery. Charge more frequently without overcharging. Replace if the battery no longer holds charge.
- Leaking – Leaking is part of the game. No vape pen at the moment is 100% leakproof some just perform better than others. To get the best experience ensure connections are properly secured. Store the pen upright instead of horizontally. Wipe excess e-juice from air holes and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About CBD Vape Pens and Anxiety
How Effective is a CBD Vape Pen for Reducing Anxiety?
Clinical studies investigating CBD for anxiety are sparse. However preliminary research correlates inhaled CBD administration with decreased anxiety symptoms within small focus groups.
Meanwhile, an abundance of promising reports emerges among CBD vaping enthusiasts. Success likely depends on aspects like dose, usage consistency, anxiety subtype, and individual body chemistry.
What is the Best Dosage for a CBD Vape Pen?
There are no defined therapeutic CBD doses for any condition due to a lack of human trials. While doses between 25-175 mg per day appear most common, highly individualized responses mean finding one’s optimal dose requires gradual experimentation while closely observing effects and side effects.
Start with just a few mg and slowly increase until reaching the desired results.
Do I Need a Prescription for a CBD Vape Pen?
No, CBD vape pens remain available without medical prescription as consumer health products rather than regulated medicines. However, health practitioners may informally recommend CBD based on current research. Some doctors even proactively provide dosage suggestions for anxious patients who prefer natural options over pharmaceuticals.
What Are the Side Effects or Health Risks?
Most reported side effects seem relatively mild and uncommon. Potential impacts linked to high doses in research include diarrhea, fatigue, headache, nausea, and irritability.
Little evidence points to serious safety issues thus far for generally healthy adults, but studies are very limited.
Is It Legal to Use a CBD Vape Pen?
It depends. CBD’s legal status shifts continuously with changing local, state, and federal legislation. Buying hemp-derived CBD products containing under 0.3% THC currently avoids violating federal statutes.
However, possession limits, allowable CBD sources, sales frameworks, usage regulations, and approval status for vaping formats vary widely across different states and cities. Seek out legal guidance to ensure compliant accessibility and consumption rights in your specific area.
In Summary
Modern life often leaves us feeling anxiety with constant demands. For those seeking natural relief from anxiety without sedative side effects or risks of addiction, CBD may be right for you. CBD delivery via vape pen offers efficient, convenient access to its calming qualities for hectic moments of stress.
While large-scale research remains limited, many personal accounts tout CBD stress-busting properties that grant the clear-headed tranquility needed to navigate daily turbulence.
Consult your healthcare provider to see if adding this emerging botanical remedy to your wellness toolkit could provide that sought-after light at the end of your anxiety’s tunnel.