What are the most common additives in CBD Vapes?
Apr 16, 2025
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CBD Vapes
In recent years, the popularity of CBD e-cigarettes has soared with the growing consumer interest in cannabidiol (CBD) and its convenient atomization method. It is crucial to understand the ingredients of CBD e-cigarettes - not only from the perspective of product performance, but also from the perspective of health and safety. Among the various ingredients, additives play a key role in determining the product's taste, efficacy, and inhalation safety.
Basic composition of CBD e-cigarettes
CBD extracts
These may include full spectrum (containing all cannabinoids and terpenes, including trace amounts of THC), broad spectrum (no THC but retains other cannabinoids and terpenes), or pure CBD isolate (cannabidiol only, purity >99%).
Base liquid (carrier)
Usually used to dilute the extract and make it easy to evaporate. These include solvents such as PG (propylene glycol), VG (vegetable glycerin), or oils such as MCT.
Additives
Additives are designed to enhance taste, mouthfeel, stability, and efficacy, and are essential for creating a pleasant and safe e-cigarette experience. The rest of this article will be devoted to these additives.
Common additives in CBD e-cigarettes
Function: PG is one of the most widely used solvents in CBD e-cigarettes, valued for its ability to dilute oils and enhance throat impact - an ideal effect for users transitioning from traditional smoking.
Advantages: Enhanced flavor dispersion, a satisfying throat hit, inexpensive and widely available
Risks: May cause irritation to sensitive users, especially at high concentrations, not suitable for people with propylene glycol allergies or asthma.
Although regulators classify PG as generally safe for use in food and cosmetics, inhalation safety remains controversial, requiring careful formulation and transparency.
Vegetable glycerin (VG)
Function
VG is another core ingredient in CBD Vapes, mainly used to increase vapor production and improve the smoothness of inhalation.
Main features
Thicker than PG, adds natural sweetness, usually used in combination with PG at a ratio of 50/50 or 70/30 (VG/PG). Compared with PG, VG is less irritating and better tolerated by sensitive users. However, due to the high viscosity of VG, excessive addition may cause some e-cigarette devices to clog or slow oil absorption.
Function: Flavoring is crucial in CBD e-cigarettes to enhance the sensory experience. Common flavoring types include:
Fruit flavors: Strawberry, mango, blueberry.
Menthol and mint: Have a cooling effect.
Dessert flavors: Vanilla, caramel, chocolate.
Safety issues: Although food-grade flavorings have been approved for ingestion, their safety through inhalation is not clear. Controversial compounds, such as diacetyl, have been associated with lung damage, emphasizing the need to formulate flavorings only for inhalation. Responsible manufacturers use GRAS (generally recognized as safe) ingredients and avoid additives prohibited in inhalable products.
Terpenes
Function: Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants. In CBD e-cigarettes, terpenes help enhance flavor and produce a synergistic effect (the "entourage effect") by regulating the interaction of CBD with the endocannabinoid system. The presence of terpenes usually indicates that this e-cigarette is a full-spectrum CBD e-cigarette. Terpenes are also favored for their natural properties, but high concentrations may cause irritation if not properly balanced.
MCT Oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides)
Function
MCT oil is a carrier oil that is commonly used in oral CBD tinctures, but sometimes appears in CBD e-cigarettes, especially oil-based e-cigarette cartridges.
Main Features
Derived from coconut oil or palm oil, improves CBD solubility and bioavailability.
Concerns
It is not recommended for traditional e-liquid e-cigarette pens that are heated at high temperatures. The safety of inhalation has not been fully studied, and improper use may pose health risks.
Function
Triacetin is a less common but still noteworthy additive in CBD e-cigarettes. Its uses include: adjusting flavor texture, providing a smooth smoking experience, and maintaining liquid stability.
Precautions for use
Common in flavored e-cigarette formulas, it is considered safe for use in food, but there is limited data on its long-term inhalation safety. Triacetin should be used with caution, and its content should always be disclosed on product labels to ensure transparency.
The additives used in CBD Vapes have a significant impact on the following aspects:
Flavor profile: Terpenes and flavorings determine the overall taste and aroma.
Vapor production: VG helps to form a dense cloud, while PG brings flavor.
Bioavailability: Carrier substances affect the absorption effect of CBD.
Safety: Some additives may cause irritation or adverse reactions when inhaled frequently, especially in high concentrations or sensitive people.
Optimizing the combination of additives is a delicate balance between user experience, safety, and product efficacy.
The popularity of CBD vaping continues to grow, but with it comes the need for consumers to make informed choices and for industry responsibility to increase. By understanding the most common additives (e.g., PG, VG, terpenes, and flavorings), users can make safer and more satisfying decisions about the products they inhale.
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