Vaping has been common in the UK for a number of years with CBD vaping increasing in popularity. In the UK, CBD vape oil pens are widely available, with hundreds of online and in-store retailers boasting large product ranges. With so much on offer, it can be difficult to know what to look for.
Here at ULU, we want UK CBD consumers to be well-informed. With that in mind, we’ve created the ultimate guide to CBD vape oil pens in the UK. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from different types of CBD vape juice, the benefits of vaping CBD oil, as well as how to choose the best CBD vape oil UK pen for you.
- What is vaping?
- What is a CBD oil vape pen or cannabidiol vape?
- The benefits of vaping CBD oil
- Is vaping safe?
- Different types of e-liquid
- What is a cannabidiol vape pen?
- Pros and cons of refillable and disposable CBD vape oil pens
- CBD vape juice and its different types and names
- 5 steps to choose the best CBD vape oil pen for you
- Where to buy CBD oil vape pens in the UK
What is vaping?
Vaping is a hot discussion topic and most people know that vaping was initially introduced as means of curbing smoking habits.
With vaping, an oil is passed over a heated element, thus increasing its temperature. This is then turned into a vapour which is inhaled into the lungs. The main principle here is that the vape liquid never burns, and so you are avoiding combustion of the oil altogether.
Long-term effects of vape consumption on human health remain unclear and require further study.
We are still learning much about vape products, but recent studies suggest that e-cigarettes (vapes) are safer than conventional cigarettes.
What is a CBD oil vape pen?
The most recent development for vape liquid has been the introduction of cannabidiol vapes. These are vape pens which involve the inhalation of CBD oil (sometimes called CBD vape juice.) Cannabidiol is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the hemp plant with many reported health benefits for UK users – you can read more about potential CBD benefitshere.
Note: Be wary of ‘hemp oil’ vapes in the UK. While these also come from hemp, they do not typically contain any CBD. This is because CBD oil comes from the leaves and stems of the hemp plant, whereas hemp oil comes from the seeds, which do not contain any cannabidiol.
What are the potential benefits of vaping CBD oil?
Vaping CBD may offer benefits to the user, largely due to the way that CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is an important cell-signalling system within our bodies that is responsible for maintaining homeostasis.
When inhaled, users report that CBD vape juice provides a mild calming effect. When taken over a long-term basis, it also has suggested benefits for:
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Stress and anxiety
- Mood
- Reduced inflammation and support for inflammatory conditions
- Heart and brain health
- Immune system function
CBD oil vape pens are also completely legal in the UK. This is because CBD is a non-rewarding substance, so it does not cause users to feel high or intoxicated. The WHO have also reported that CBD does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm.
Is vaping safe?
While there are reported benefits of vaping CBD oil, it’s also important to consider the safety of vaping. Although the risks of vaping are far lower than the risks associated with cigarettes, all forms of excessive vaping will create some risk of problems with the lungs. This is because the thinning agent used in CBD oils like PG (propylene glycol), can break down into carcinogens even when heated at low temperatures as with the ceramic coil vape pen. There is also some evidence that vaping can cause problems with reported pneumonia, in which the fatty globules of oil build up in the airways.
Reports of deaths and lung injuries have been associated with vapers in the USA. However, these reports have ultimately been linked to the poor quality of carrier oil used within US vapes, where vitamin E acetate is used as a thickening agent. In addition, the majority of these cases were linked to cannabis and nicotine vaping – not CBD use.
CDC and FDA EVALI report
In February 2020, the CDC and FDA produced a report concerning the risks of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury) in vape users.
The full results of the February 2020 CDC and FDA report in the USA can be found here. But the principle summary of their findings was as follows:
- National and state data from patient reports and product sample testing show tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online dealers, are linked to most EVALI cases and play a major role in the outbreak
- Vitamin E acetate is strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak. Vitamin E acetate has been found in product samples tested by FDA and state laboratories and in patient lung fluid samples tested by CDC from geographically diverse states.
- Evidence is not sufficient to rule out the contribution of other chemicals of concern, including chemicals in either THC or non-THC products, in some of the reported EVALI cases.
Are cannabidiol vapes safe?
Excessive vaping will carry some of the above risks, mainly in long-term, heavy users. However, many users of CBD vape juice and e-liquids find that the instantaneous feeling of relaxation and relief they get from vaping reduces the need for a continual habit of puffing and inhaling on their vape pen. So, in this case, the benefits of vaping CBD oil are greater than the risks.
To avoid any significant risks, we don’t recommend taking up CBD vaping if you aren’t already a regular vaper. Instead, non-vapers should try one of the other methods of CBD usage and application.
Does e-cigarette vapour cause harm to others?
There is no evidence so far that vaping causes harm to other people around you. This is in contrast to smoking, where exposure to secondhand smoke is known to be very harmful to the health of others.
This is because unlike cigarettes, there is no side-stream vapour released by a vape pen into the atmosphere, just the exhaled aerosol. Also, unlike tobacco smoke, vape pen vapour dissipates quickly in the atmosphere.
Public Health England’s 2018 independent evidence review found that to date, there have been no identified health risks of passive vaping to bystanders.
As with any supplement, the higher your body weight, the more you will need to take. This is also affected by your fat and muscle percentage.
In addition, individual health issues should be considered. If, for example, you’re looking for support with a long-term chronic issue such as inflammation, anxiety, chronic pain or depression, you’ll need to take a higher dose of CBD. On the other hand, for short-term, more immediate relaxation, a few puffs of a CBD vape may help.
While optimum doses of CBD vary from person to person, we recommend starting small. You should begin with around 5-10mg of CBD (regardless of product type) one to two times a day, every day for a week or two. If you haven’t noticed any benefits, slowly increase the dose over the next few weeks. It’s wise to take things slowly to find the CBD dose that works best for you. As a rule, never take more than 70mg of CBD per day unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
Body Weight
The two main types of e-liquid
In the UK, there are two main types of vape liquids: those made with propylene glycol (PG), and those made with vegetable glycerin (VG). They have slightly different properties, and many people combine both liquids in their vapes to tailor a unique vaping experience, exactly to their preferences.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is a clear, colourless, odourless and tasteless fluid obtained from petrochemical sources. It’s also highly versatile substances with uses in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Ever since electronic cigarettes first hit the market, propylene glycol has been the main ingredient for e-liquids.
The main reason it serves as the base of cbd vape oil is that it produces vapour when heated. It keeps things moist and it provides a slightly harsher ‘throat hit’ than vegetable glycerine,which means it provides an experience similar to smoking a cigarette. This is an important quality for those who are quitting tobacco use and transitioning to vaping, enabling a similar sensation.
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable Glycerin is another ingredient used within some vapes. It is a natural product made from vegetable oil, frequently rapeseed, palm or coconut oil. These oils are split into raw fats under the combined activity of pressure, temperature and water. Temperatures frequently exceed 200 degrees Celsius and the oils are kept under pressure for 20 minutes to half an hour. Glycerol is then absorbed by the water from the fatty acid stage of the oils. Subsequently, the glycerol distilled is isolated, creating a normal 99% pure glycerin product. Food-level vegetable glycerin is 99.7% pure, with the remaining 0.3% being water.
Many people choose vegetable glycerin vapes for their smoother throat hit. They also tend to be thicker liquids, producing larger clouds – part of the fun for many vapers.
In addition, your metabolic rate determines how long CBD stays in your system. If you have more muscle than fat in your body, you’ll have a higher metabolic rate. Substances like CBD will be processed more quickly and will leave the body sooner than someone with a lower metabolic rate. You’ll also feel the effects for a much shorter period. This means that people with a higher muscle to fat ratio will need to take higher doses of CBD.
What is a cannabidiol vape pen?
A vape pen is the device that heats up your e-liquid or CBD vape juice, turning it into a vapour which you can then inhale.
A CBD oil vape pen typically contains rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that power a heating element or coil which heats the CBD vape juice or e liquid and turns it into vapour. High-quality vape pens will utilise a ceramic element to heat the oil.
Cannabidiol vape pens come in two main varieties: disposable and refillable.
There are a variety of different CBD oil vape pens available to buy in the UK. The first distinction you’ll need to choose between is a disposable device and a refillable device
It’s important to understand that CBD is classed as a non-rewarding, non-psychoactive substance. ULU CBD products do not contain CBD and will not cause a ‘high’ or any kind of intoxication.
Some users report an immediate feeling of relaxation when using CBD. However, in general the short-term effects are very subtle. CBD works by supporting your body’s Endocannabinoid System – a complex cell-signalling system responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. So, when you take CBD it may replenish your body’s cannabinoid levels and keep your ECS working optimally.
This process works over a long-term basis, so it can take a few weeks to see noticeable benefits and effects from CBD. However, this depends on all the factors previously discussed: method of consumption, dose, body weight and lifestyle.
Vaping, for example, allows CBD to enter the bloodstream more quickly, so many users report a more immediate effect of calm or relaxation. In addition, CBD rubs and salves have been linked to short-term benefits for chronic pain and muscle aches. The feeling of CBD capsules or oils is much gentler, building up over a longer periods.
What is a refillable vape pen?
A refillable CBD oil vape pen is any type of vape pen that can be filled with CBD e-liquid. It usually has a tank attached to a rechargeable battery, so it can be used multiple times and refilled once the e-liquid runs out. As the name suggests, these cannabidiol vapes are shaped like a pen and are generally smaller and lighter than the average mod and tank combo. Some of them are suitable for direct lung vaping while others provide a tight mouth to lung draw.
Refillable pod vapes are another option in this category. Although they are designed for vaping nicotine, and not exactly pen-shaped. These mini vapes can be used to vape CBD as well since they are also discreet and easy to use.
Refillable CBD oil vape pens require the purchase of a vape device, and obviously some CBD vape juice to fill it with. These devices can come with a heftier price tag than disposables as they are designed to last longer. Another downside to refillable CBD pens is that they’re less convenient, discreet, and require more knowledge to use properly.
However, many users prefer to use a refillable CBD oil vape pen, as there are more options to achieve a custom vape. Most of them even have adjustable power and airflow options for fine-tuning the experience, depending on whether you prefer a DTL (direct to lung vape) with bigger clouds or a tighter cigarette-style draw. And one of the main benefits of vaping CBD oil in a refillable pen is that it is generally more cost-effective. This is because after the initial investment, a refillable CBD oil vape pen can be re-used many times.
DTL (direct to lung) devices are ideal for lower CBD strengths since they deliver more vapour per puff. On the other hand, MTL (mouth to Lung) is best suited for higher amounts of CBD, since it takes more puffs to achieve the same desired effect. The choice of vaping style is individual and depends on the amount of vapour you wish to generate.
Pros
Pros
- More cost effective
- Adjustable set up options for temperature and airflow
- Efficient delivery method
- Caters to different vaping styles
- Larger vape cloud
- Multiple style , from pens to larger devices
- More eco-friendly as they are used multiple times
Cons
- Initial investment to obtain the equipment
- Some training required to use properly
- Requires maintenance if performance is to be optimised
- Not as discreet
What is a disposable CBD vape oil pen?
Disposable CBD vape oil pens are vape devices that contain a battery, atomiser and are pre filled with cannabidiol vape juice. They generally resemble a tube, some so small that they resemble a cigarette, and are sometimes referred to as cigarette-style vape pens. Disposables are designed to provide usually a few hundred inhalations before they are empty and are then thrown away.
Disposable cannabidiol vapes are another practical alternative to CBD cartridges and CBD pods, since they do not require the investment of purchasing a battery or compatible pod system. They are typically draw activated, which means they only produce vapour when you take a breath, drawing air through the device.
Disposable CBD vape oil pens are one of the most practical ways to start vaping cannabidiol, especially for first time users. They’re also relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Simply vape and go!
However, they generally don’t offer as much variety in terms of flavours and CBD concentration levels. They are also generally not as cost effective as refillable vape pens if you consider the amount of CBD vape oil they contain compared with the price. Another drawback is that they are limited to a cigarette style draw, a style of vaping also called mouth to lung. This style of delivery combined with the low output means that you may need to vape it more often to achieve your desired CBD dosage.
Pros
- Convenient
- No maintenance or preparation required
- Small and compact and easy to carry
- Lightweight
Cons
- Less cost effective than refillable devices
- More limited selection
- No direct lung options
- Non-adjustable (power/airflow)
- Difficult to recycle
CBD Vape juice
CBD vape juice has proven so popular, largely because the absorption of the CBD is almost instant. We also have written What is Vape Juice? to guide you.
You will notice different terms for CBD vape oil – e-liquid, e-juice, vape oil, or even CBD vape juice. These are all the same thing: a vape liquid that contains cannabidiol.
How do I choose the best vape oil for me?
There are hundreds of different products and retailers on the UK market so, it’s important to do your research. Choosing the best CBD oil vape often comes down to a matter of preference.
Look out for:
1. High-quality carrier oil
Check the carrier oil that is being used to create the vapour, avoiding any product that is made using vitamin E. High-quality cannabidiol vape oil will be made with propylene glycol (80%) vegetable glycerine (20%) plus cannabidiol (CBD).
2. Choose your CBD vape juice strength
Bear in mind that you need to vape CBD oil in a high enough concentration over a long-term basis to have any real effect. Compare the overall price of the product with the amount of cannabidiol you’re actually getting per use. We’re not confident that anything less than a 5% CBD level will have any major benefits.
At ULU we use a potent 5% concentration.
3. Buy only THC-free cannabidiol vapes
Purchase only from retailers who guarantee 0% THC cannabidiol vapes. THC is not legal in the UK.
A reputable retailer should have their products tested by third-party labs to verify concentration levels and 0% THC. You can find our ULU Lab Test Results here.
4. Avoid nicotine
Here at ULU, we’re passionate about health and wellbeing. We recommend avoiding nicotine in your CBD oil vape pen. It’s an additive that will reduce the benefits of using a cannabidiol vape.
CBD vape juice is designed to relax, de-stress and help your body to heal – all of which is made counter-productive by the addition of nicotine.
5. Choose your flavour
There are many flavours available across the UK, but here at ULU, we’ve used extensive research to choose the UK’s 6 most popular cannabidiol vape oil flavours.
ULU premium cannabidiol vape oils
At ULU, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality. Our mission is to provide our customers with the most potent and pure CBD products on the UK market, and to help educate UK consumers about CBD. Our German laboratories are licensed and regulated to the highest international standards. And we offer some of the highest concentrations of CBD vape juice in the UK. We also offer an innovative range of high-strength CBD skincare products, as well as CBD oils, capsules and amino supplements.
While you’re here, why not check out the exceptional ULU range of CBD products?
Consider the products that best suit you and remember, if you have any questions, our friendly CBD experts are just an email away.
As always, make sure u love u!
ULU CBD 