Smoking, Vaping, or Edibles: Which Is Better for Your Health?

Now that we’re in the 2020s, there are so many different ways to use CBD! Whereas most people had never heard of CBD just a few years ago, there are now countless ways to use this plant extract. You can roll up an old-fashioned joint using hemp flower, you can choose from countless vape flavors and strengths, and you can get delicious gummies, chocolate, or other edibles that are infused with CBD.

However, it’s important to note that each intake method has its own strengths and weaknesses. Today, we’ll discuss three of the most common ways of taking CBD – smoking, vaping, and edibles – and talk about which one is best for your needs.

Pros and Cons of Smoking CBD

Smoking is a traditional way of using cannabis products, and it can be done with THC-free hemp as well. Smoking CBD will not get you high or stoned. It’ll just deliver the calming effects of CBD to your lungs, where it can quickly absorb and spread throughout your body.

Smoking does have its downsides, though. While smoking pure, organic CBD flower is probably much less harmful than smoking a nicotine cigarette, it can still irritate your lungs and possibly contribute to health issues like asthma. It will also be evident to anyone around you that you’ve been smoking due to the smell.

Vaping CBD: The Upsides and the Downsides

Vaping is done with a battery-powered device that produces CBD-rich vapor when you inhale. Much like with smoking, when you inhale the vapor into your lungs, the CBD is quickly absorbed and sent right to the brain and bloodstream. This gives you quick results, usually in just a few minutes or less.

Vaporizers gently heat the CBD, but they are not meant to combust or burn the material. Thus, they produce a clean cloud of vapor with no burning or smoky smell, and the vapor is thought to be less harmful to your respiratory system than smoking is. Plus, you can get clean and fresh flavors from vaping. If you don’t like the taste of hemp, vape liquid comes in many delicious flavors!

The Good and the Not-So Good of CBD Edibles

CBD edibles are a fast-growing segment of the industry! There are so many convenient and delicious options out there. You name it, there’s probably a CBD version of it! You can find CBD in candy and chocolate, baked goods, tea and other beverages, and more. Edibles or capsules are the best way to take CBD if you don’t want to deal with the herbal/earthy flavor of the plant.

Compared to the two inhalation methods we discussed, edibles don’t work quite as fast. Once you’ve eaten your CBD edible or swallowed some capsules, you’ll have to wait an hour or two for your digestive system to absorb the CBD. But the good thing is that the effect from edibles can last a lot longer, possibly up to 12 hours! The only other downside is that edibles can be rather pricey compared to other methods of taking CBD.

The Verdict

Everyone has different needs, so there’s not a single right answer for everyone. But for you, there may be a clear winner now that you’ve looked at the pros and cons of each of these intake methods. If you tend to get acute onset of pain and you need quick results, turn to an inhalation method. If you’re concerned about your lung health, a non-inhalation method may be better for you. If you want the ultimate convenience, then capsules and edibles are fantastic, though they’ll take longer to take effect. It’s a good thing there are so many different CBD options to choose from – there’s something perfect for just about everyone!