Can You Vape CBD Oil? The Complete Guide to CBD Vaping

There’s a lot more to weed than just getting high. This special plant has an abundance of potential therapeutic benefits—many of which don’t cause the classic “buzz” involved with cannabis consumption.

You might be familiar with the extremely popular non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD. In fact, in 2019, 14% of all Americans reported using it on a daily basis. But that poses the question: exactly how do you use CBD?

Between tinctures, edibles, topicals, and capsules, there’s no shortage of options. But one method that’s been getting a lot of attention? CBD vape pens.

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about this one particular topic: can you vape CBD oil? Well, the answer’s not as straightforward as you think.

Let’s break it all down—what’s safe, what’s not, the benefits, the risks, and how to vape CBD oil the right way.

If you’re just getting into the wide world of CBD, there’s one crucial thing to understand.

CBD oil and CBD vape products are made differently and, thus, should be consumed differently. It can be straight-up dangerous to vape certain CBD oils.

Here’s the full breakdown:

When you think of CBD oil, what usually comes to mind is a sublingual tincture. That means these oils are made to be taken orally as an alternative to smoking and vaping.

CBD oil sold in tinctures will often contain:

• CBD extract taken from cannabis plants
• A carrier oil (usually MCT oil or hemp seed oil)
• Sometimes flavoring or other additives

When taken under the tongue, the CBD is absorbed through the mucous membranes to produce effects, often faster than the lengthy process of regular edibles.

These CBD oils are made strictly for oral consumption, not vaping or smoking.

On the other hand, CBD can be vaped if the product is designed for inhalation. That doesn’t mean you should start dabbing the oil in your CBD tincture.

CBD products specifically designed for vaping include:

• CBD vape juice/e-liquid
• CBD vape cartridges
• Disposable CBD vape pens

Compared to regular CBD oils, these products contain somewhat different ingredients that are designed to be inhaled:

• CBD extract
• Propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG)
• Terpenes or flavoring agents
• Sometimes, cutting agents designed for vaporization

Nope—and you definitely shouldn’t try. Regular CBD oil isn’t made for inhalation, and vaping it can be seriously harmful to your lungs and overall health. Here’s why:

Unsuitable Carrier Oils

You wouldn’t smoke olive oil, would you? The same goes for MCT oil and other carrier oils used in regular CBD tinctures. If you end up vaporizing and inhaling them, they can break down into heavy, harmful compounds that are tough for your lungs to handle.

Lipid Pneumonia Risk

Those harmful compounds noted above? They can lead to a condition called lipid pneumonia. This happens when inhaling fatty oils like the carrier oils named above, which enter the lungs and cause inflammation.

Equipment Issues

Since regular CBD oils are often thicker than the oils used for vaping, they might damage your concentrate vaporizer or other equipment used for consumption. Because they’re not compatible, regular CBD oil could burn unevenly and create even more harmful byproducts.

Possible Combustion

Different products have different temperatures in which combustion occurs. Regular CBD oil can combust at lower temperatures than vape-specific oils, meaning you could end up inhaling a whole lot more carcinogens and toxins than you bargained for.

When considering vaping CBD oil, stick to the basics.

Head to your local dispensary or order from reputable brands online and strictly purchase CBD products that are marketed and designed for vaporization.

Here are a few things to look for:

This is the easiest way to vape CBD oil. Disposable vape pens are vaporizers pre-filled with CBD oil that’s safe to inhale.

They usually last anywhere from 1000 to 10,000 puffs, depending on how many grams of oil. They come pre-charged right out of the box, and they usually operate on a simple one-button function.

Inside these vapes, you’ll typically find CBD extracts like distillate or broad-spectrum CBD. They might also contain cannabis-derived terpenes or botanical terpenes for a more true-to-plant experience.

Disposable CBD vapes were made for maximum convenience. Instead of getting a separate battery, vape cartridge, or maybe even refillable CBD vape juice, disposable vapes are perfect for beginner and occasional users who prefer to avoid all the moving parts of traditional vaping.

If you prefer a bit more variety and customizable sessions, CBD vape cartridges are a great solution. You’ll need a vape battery compatible with 510 threaded vape cartridges.

Once you’ve chosen your battery, you’re free to roam an incredibly wide selection of CBD vape cartridges across different strains and genetics.

From distillate and broad spectrum options, you’ll often find a wider selection of CBD vape cartridges versus disposable CBD vapes. If you’re a regular user who prefers switching up your sessions, cartridges are a great option.

For seasoned to regular users who want the least amount of waste possible, CBD vape juice and e-liquids offer a reliable option when used with vape batteries and box mods with refillable tanks.

Instead of disposing of empty vape cartridges after each use, this method lets you refill your tank with the CBD vape oil of your choice. Again, this doesn’t mean filling your tank with oil from a CBD tincture.

Ensure you’re purchasing CBD e-liquid or vape juice designed for refilling tanks. Similar to the above, you’ll often find CBD distillate and broad-spectrum options.

There are a few reasons why someone might want to vape CBD oil instead of using it in edibles or tinctures.

Some benefits include:

While sublingual tinctures offer a speedier way to experience effects compared to regular edibles, vaping CBD kicks in much faster. The effects are nearly instant.

It’s the same with smoking CBD flower. However, vaping offers a healthier alternative for those who wish to steer clear of combustion and its harmful byproducts.

Since vaping CBD is the fastest way to experience its effects, it’s particularly useful for addressing immediate, sudden symptoms like anxiety or pain. Plus, you can tell how you’ll feel right from the jump.

Need a bit more? Take another hit. Took too much? Sip some water, wait it out, and make a note for next time.

When vaping CBD, it enters your bloodstream almost immediately.

That means your body has CBD available for it to use and absorb versus the lengthy process edibles have through the digestive tract.

Since vaporized CBD has a higher bioavailability than sublingual CBD and edibles, you might not need to use as much product to feel your effects—making it pretty cost-effective in the long run.

Vaping can be pretty discreet—if you don’t mind others thinking you’re hitting a nicotine vape.

That’s usually the most obvious benefit of vaporizers—they let you hit your preferred substance in a style that’s not as aggressive as a bong, pipe, or dab rig.

Even a sublingual tincture can look a bit sketchy from across the room. But hitting a vape? It’s become pretty normalized in the modern day. Plus, they’re super portable.

Packing a vape in your pocket is way easier than carrying around tinctures or gummies that melt in your pocket.

Beyond vaping, CBD products offer a range of potential benefits, making this cannabinoid a go-to for many seeking natural relief. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause a high, but it does interact with your endocannabinoid system, which plays a key role in pain relief, inflammation, and overall wellness.

Some of the biggest perks of using CBD oil (whether through CBD vape oils, tinctures, or edibles) include:

• Pain & Inflammation Relief – Studies suggest that CBD-containing products may help with conditions like joint pain, chronic pain, and post-workout soreness by reducing inflammation at the source.
• Anxiety & Stress Management – Many users report that pure CBD helps ease anxiety symptoms and provides a sense of calm without sedation.
• Better Sleep – Some people use CBD products as a natural sleep aid, especially full-spectrum CBD, which includes minor cannabinoids that may enhance relaxation.
• Potential Support for Medical Conditions – While more research is needed, CBD has been explored for conditions like Dravet syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and even as a prescription medication for epilepsy (prescription cannabidiol).
• Non-Intoxicating & Legal – Unlike THC, CBD is hemp-derived, making it federally legal under the Controlled Substances Act, as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.

If you plan on vaping CBD oil while following our tips above, you should have no problem safely experiencing the benefits of CBD in a convenient and fast-acting form.

That said, there are always things to consider (and definitely remember) when buying CBD oil, whether that’s in-person or online:

We mentioned above the importance of choosing from reputable brands—it doesn’t matter if that’s in a dispensary or online. Quality control always starts with which brand you choose.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Look for provided third-party lab tests
• Avoid extremely cheap products—corners were probably cut on safety
• Read reviews and ensure they’re from verified customers and not promoted
• Check for COAs (Certificates of Analysis) that verify CBD content and test for contaminants

Low-quality CBD products will often have more contaminants like pesticides or heavy metals. For your safety, it’s crucial that the brands you’re choosing provide some sort of test results.

Never buy from the black market. Using illegal, unregulated vapes can be devastating to your health. Remember the 2019 vape crisis? We have cutting agents like vitamin E acetate and black-market vapes to blame for that.

Too much of a good thing never works out well. When it comes to vaping in general, research is still limited regarding the long-term safety of inhaling PG/VG.

If you’re experiencing ongoing throat irritation, coughing, or heaviness in the chest, it’s likely best to take a break or switch your consumption method altogether.

We definitely don’t recommend vaping for people with existing lung conditions like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

If you prefer fast-acting effects with a flavorful experience in a convenient, portable format, CBD vapes are for you.

But don’t go loading your vaporizer with CBD oil from a sublingual tincture. Follow our guide above to determine which of the following is best for you:

• Disposable CBD vapes
• CBD vape cartridges
• CBD E-liquid

Once you’ve chosen your preferred CBD product, you’re off to the races. Just consider your health circumstances and if vaping CBD is right for your situation.