What are CBD pens?

In the world of cannabidiol (CBD), there are a variety of products to choose from: gummies, capsules, oils, topicals and, more recently, CBD pens.

CBD pens, also known as vape pens or vaporizers, have gained significant popularity as a modern and convenient method for consuming CBD. These sleek and portable devices offer an alternative to traditional CBD consumption methods, such as tinctures or capsules.

That said, you may be wondering: how effective are CBD pens, and, ultimately, are they safe for use? Let’s find out.

The Design of CBD Pens

CBD pens are thoughtfully designed devices that typically resemble a slim, portable tube or pen. The components of these pens include:

A battery
A heating element (atomizer or coil)
A cartridge or tank to hold the CBD vape oil

The user-friendly design often features a single button to activate the device, allowing users to inhale the vapor. There are disposable CBD vape pen options available, while others are rechargeable, providing users with the flexibility to replace or refill the CBD vape cartridge.

The look and feel of a CBD pen is heavily influenced by its aesthetic design. A lot of these gadgets embrace a sleek and minimalistic appearance, fitting right into the modern vibe of vaping culture. Moreover, their discreet design, mimicking everyday items like USB drives or pens, adds to their portability and ensures users who value discretion can easily fly under the radar.

How CBD Pens Work

A CBD vape pen operates through vaporization. Here's how it works: the battery fuels the heating element, and this element, in turn, warms up the CBD oil, transforming it into vapor.

Users then inhale this vapor through the mouthpiece, introducing CBD into the lungs for swift absorption into the bloodstream.

In comparison to traditional methods, vaporization ensures a faster onset of effects.

Now, the heating element is a pivotal player in CBD pens, and it can vary among devices. Some opt for ceramic or quartz coils. In more advanced models, users might even get the perk of temperature control, providing a personalized vaping experience. These pens can either be pre-filled with CBD vape oil, or users have the flexibility to fill their vape cartridges with CBD e-liquid according to their preferences.

The Potential Benefits of CBD Pens

There’s a reason why CBD pens are gaining popularity — they tout numerous potential benefits, such as:

Swift absorption – When you inhale CBD through a CBD pen, the compound rapidly enters the bloodstream. This speedy absorption is particularly beneficial for those looking for quick relief from concerns like stress or physical discomfort.
Privacy and ease– CBD pens are crafted with portability and simplicity in mind, serving as a convenient choice for people on the move. The lowkey design ensures users can enjoy CBD without drawing unwanted attention.
Tailored enjoyment – Certain CBD pens go the extra mile by offering adjustable temperature settings. This feature empowers users to customize their vaping experience, aligning it with their unique preferences.

The Potential Dangers of CBD Pens

While the number of people who smoke has decreased in recent years, vaping is on the rise. A 2020 JAMA Network report estimates that 5.66 million Americans have adopted the practice. This number, unfortunately, also includes over 2.5 million people under the age of 18, per a 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although vaping is less harmful than smoking, it can still cause adverse effects — particularly if people opt to fill their cartridges with nicotine. These effects include lung injury and potential addiction. Both are also true of vaping cartridges that include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive cannabinoid that’s also found in the cannabis plant.

Fortunately, legal CBD products, including vape cartridges, can only contain trace amounts of THC.

While consuming CBD edibles and oil or applying CBD to the skin is generally considered to be safe, less is known about the effects of smoking CBD.

That said, the most significant dangers may actually lie in the other chemicals that flavor CBD oil cartridges, which may include nicotine, THC and MCT oil. Namely, these chemicals put vapers at a higher risk of developing heart, lung and gastrointestinal problems.

Overall, vaping of any kind is believed to inhibit lung and heart health, causing inflammation, irritation and unhealthy blood pressure levels. The latter occurs by way of a decrease in nitric oxide, triggered by vaping. When your body is at homeostasis, nitric oxide helps to relax the blood vessels. However, vaping may cause the blood vessels to constrict.

Thus, the long-term effects of vaping can include:

Build-up of irreversible scar tissue on the lungs, causing breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath
Damage to the blood vessels
Decreased immune function
Death, although rare

A lack of regulation surrounding CBD also plays a role in CBD pens’ potential dangers. Namely, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not provide strict oversight on CBD products, including pens. This lack of comprehensive regulation raises concerns about product quality, product potency, accurate labeling and potential contaminants.

In some products, there may be high levels of THC to provide feelings of pleasure to vapers and keep them coming back. Less reputable brands may remove THC from their ingredients list entirely. Additionally, a 2019 study found that of the nine CBD liquids tested, four contained an illegal synthetic cannabinoid compound, 5F-ADB, which is linked to deadly overdoses.

Another study found that of the 30 tested CBD vaping oils, 10 contained synthetic marijuana and eight had no CBD at all.

While these sample sizes may not reflect the entirety of the CBD vaping market, they do raise some cause for concern.

Alternatives to Vaping CBD

While vaping CBD oil can be dangerous, the general use of CBD oil is considered safe. To responsibly implement CBD into your healthcare routine, consider:

CBD tinctures– CBD tinctures are a popular choice for their rapid absorption through sublingual administration. By placing a few drops under the tongue, the CBD is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, offering a faster onset of effects compared to some other methods. Tinctures also allow for precise dosing, making them suitable for individuals who want quick relief with a controlled dosage.
CBD gummies – CBD gummies provide a flavorful and discreet option, making them an enjoyable way to incorporate CBD into your routine. However, it's essential to note that the absorption process is generally slower as the CBD has to pass through the digestive system. This delayed absorption results in a more gradual onset of effects, making gummies a suitable choice for those seeking a longer-lasting and milder impact. Take a look at our CBD gummies for sale to learn more.
CBD capsules – CBD capsules offer a convenient and familiar method of consumption, allowing for controlled dosing. The absorption rate is typically moderate, falling between tinctures and gummies. Capsules are ideal for individuals who prefer a standardized and hassle-free way to integrate CBD into their daily regimens. The effects may take slightly longer to manifest compared to tinctures, but capsules still provide a consistent and predictable experience.
CBD topicals– CBD topicals, such as creams and balms, are designed for external use, offering targeted relief to specific areas of discomfort. The absorption rate is localized, primarily affecting the applied area without entering the bloodstream in significant amounts. This method is suitable for addressing joint or muscle soreness directly. It's also been found that the use of CBD for sensitive skin has shown numerous potential benefits. We invite you to explore all the main CBD oil benefits for skin in our in-depth article in order to learn how to get the best results out of your skincare routine.

How to Identify a Safe CBD Product

All that said, even CBD tinctures, edibles and topicals are unregulated by the FDA. Unfortunately, the absence of strict oversight poses challenges in ensuring consistent product quality across the industry.

To ensure you’re supplementing with a high-quality and reliable CBD product, it’s important to do your research.

Many reputable brands, like Zebra CBD, will provide a certificate of analysis (COA) for each of their products. This certificate verifies that the product has undergone third-party testing. It will also confirm that the batch matches what’s on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.

You can also find customer testimonials to get an idea of the CBD’s effects.

Zebra CBD: Your Trusted CBD Expert

While vaping CBD can increase the bioavailability of the cannabinoid, it’s generally not recommended by healthcare professionals. Vaping can degrade the health of your heart, lungs and gastrointestinal tract, and some CBD vape pens may contain harmful, undisclosed chemicals.

At Zebra CBD, we go the extra mile to establish trust with our customers.

Our tinctures, gummies, capsules and topicals are crafted with premium hemp extract and come with a Label Accuracy Guarantee. By searching your product in our COA database, you can verify that what you’re putting into your body is free from fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, harmful microbes and heavy metals.

That said, our full-spectrum CBD products do contain plenty of additional beneficial plant compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids that may increase the efficacy of CBD once it enters your body.

We also encourage you to explore our website for customer testimonials that offer insights into the real-life experiences of individuals who’ve incorporated Zebra CBD into their wellness routines. These testimonials describe the effects and benefits our products have brought to our valued customers — the same effects and benefits you can look forward to as well when you shop CBD online with us.

Sources: