What brings you to this article? Is it vaping, THC, or both?
We will try to answer most of your queries in this blog.
Recently, vaping has permeated into general use and has become one of the most commonly opted-for methods to consume substances, such as nicotine, CBD, and THC. It is regarded as a less harmful alternative to smoking. The process of vaping does not release the harmful chemicals in the form of tar as with smoking.
That’s not all. Vaping, as a mode of administration, also has nearly the same efficacy as smoking in delivering the potency of this compound.
Various groups also uphold the good properties of vape, push the agenda of its regulation, and demand for lowering the taxes around them.
Vaping is also the quickest method of consuming cannabis-derived cannabinoids. It increases the inhaled cannabinoids’ bioavailability; this results in quicker effects.
Vaping is also a preferred method of consuming various substances, such as CBD, THC, and nicotine because it is handy and requires less prepping than rolling a joint.
As this article covers the important aspects of vaping THC oil, it is important to take a look at what THC is and how it works in the body.
What is THC?
THC is a potent cannabinoid, a derivative of the hemp or cannabis plant. Cannabis is usually the most commonly preferred (and safest) source of the compound. It is a psychoactive compound and a highly mood-altering substance.
Unlike CBD, which is known for its calming and relaxing effect, THC gives you the high or a buzz effect. Naturally, the compound’s properties are useful in recreational as well as therapeutic uses.
Although it has, initially, come under a lot of heat, THC is being rapidly legalized in many jurisdictions in the US and elsewhere. Nevertheless, some antagonists of the compound still slam the compound for its psychotropic properties.
It is worth mentioning that hemp is predominantly loaded with CBD, whereas cannabis aka marijuana contains copious amounts of THC along with CBD.
Different Types of THC
The term “THC” was formerly used only to mean Delta-9 THC, the most abundantly and naturally found form of the compound in the cannabis plant. It is this compound that gives you the nasty feeling of jitters, a racing heart, and paranoia.
Now, with the introduction of Delta-8 THC, the more general term “THC” is used wisely. To clear the ambiguity, Delta-8 or Delta-9 is used judiciously as modifiers.
Want to know more about Delta-8 THC? It is the most oft-quoted hemp-derived compound and a more legalized alternative to its chemically similar brother, Delta-9 THC.
Delta-8 THC can give you a high without making you feel jittery or paranoid. Although milder than its infamous brother, Delta-8 THC’s overall feel-good effects make it a highly desirable cannabinoid in the market.
Many firms have stepped into the field of manufacturing Delta-8 products and making them available for us. Due to the lack of many companies offering Delta-8 products and the increasing demand, prices are soaring. Another factor adding to the compound’s value and thus to the price is its scanty presence in the hemp plant.
However, with the advanced techniques of fetching the compound from the hemp plant, it ought to be made widely available on a commercial scale in the coming years.
Similarities Between Delta-8 & Delta-9 THC
The two compounds constitute the same chemical elements but their position of the chemical bonds differs a bit. This is the only thing that sets them apart.
Due to the similarities in the chemical composition, the way they interact within the body is not different. They react with the same receptors inside the body. However, the subtle molecular differences lead to drastic differences in their effects.
Delta-9 THC, in particular, is still classified as illegal by the FDA. Many studies have come forward to establish that new users of this compound are more adversely affected than experienced ones. A 2018 study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, stated that this happened because the oil is delivered more drastically in the bloodstream when it is vaped. THC impacted mainly the cognitive and motor skills of the participants.
THC Vapes In The Market
Vapes are available in either disposable or refillable forms. The disposable vapes are ready to use out of the box. All you have to do is take it out, power it on, and get going.
Such disposable vapes, thereby, are already charged up. However, you may need to recharge them as long as the content of the chamber is available.
The refillable vapes are available in the market and need to be bought along with their refills. You usually get canisters or e-liquid juices as refills. To use a canister, you have to make sure that it is physically compatible with the vape device. However, e-liquid vape juices can be used in most vapes.
Types of THC vapes
Vapes are usually compatible with every type of substance such as nicotine, CBD, and THC. However, some vape devices are set to go along with a specific product.
Some vapes available in the market are only compatible with one type of product, namely oil, e-liquid juice, or dried herb. However, some vapes are compatible with more than one product. Using an incompatible product can give you a bad experience or even defile the device.
Is Vaping THC Products Safe?
Well, there is a general disagreement among medical experts about whether vaping is safe, regardless of the product. In general, vaping is deemed a less harmful practice than smoking.
However, some don’t agree.
Vaping involves minimum combustion of the product. It is intended only to release the specific chemical compound in the form of vapor.
As a result, the released vapor is free of tar, which is otherwise commonly associated with smoking and can cause a range of disorders with prolonged use.
However, recently, many concerns have been raised over the safety of the process. People who have been vaping for a long time have been diagnosed with lung disorders, some of which have even ended in death.
An alarm has been raised by the Centre of Disease Control (CDC) over the use of vapes. Vitamin E acetate is regarded as the key element responsible for lung-related disorders with any form of vaping, most notably THC vaping. A 2020 study of ACS Publication also corroborated this fact.
Vaping THC oil can be even more harmful to someone’s health in the long run. Though not a lot of research has been done in the area, it is reckoned that oil is not intended for vaping and may have several unforeseen consequences.
THC e-liquid juices are commonly sold over the internet and in the local market. Many such products pop up now and then—many of them from unrecognized sources and improperly refined. Some are even fake products, made of synthetic marijuana.
Using such THC vapes for a long time can affect your health and cause a range of health concerns.
Things To Know Before Using THC Vapes
THC is a highly popular compound, used for recreational purposes. The milder version of THC, i.e., Delta-8, is being legalized in several US states. The general THC compound is legal in 16 states and has been decriminalized in another 15 and the Virgin Islands.
THC is available in various intake forms such as flowers, vapes, gummies, tinctures, softgels, and oils. These methods vary in terms of their modes of intake. Vaping and smoking are the most direct forms of consuming THC. Gummies and other edibles offer discreteness.
Softgels are orally administered, too, but take time to show the results. Oils and tinctures are sublingually administered, in which case the compound is absorbed through the salivary glands under the tongue.
Suppositories are another form of using THC. However, it is not so popular because it takes way too long for the cannabinoid to take effect and is also difficult, unpleasant, and less practical in application.
Possible health complications
We have covered almost every possible health complication one may have after using THC vapes in the long run. However, THC as a powerful psychoactive agent may cause mental health issues among users.
It’s largely with the use of Delta-9 THC that people have reported out-of-the-body experiences, extreme nervousness, and paranoia. Delta-9 THC is also being insinuated for manifesting prolonged psychosis and other schizophrenia-like symptoms. Some THC users have had to be hospitalized after a single instance of THC use.
THC may also interfere with other pharmaceutical drugs. If someone is susceptible to stress or delusional thinking, or is on some form of antipsychotic medication, using THC is a strict no-no, as it could aggravate depression in some individuals.
Along with the psychotropic effects of THC, which can have undesirable health consequences, vaping as an intake method is also highly discouraged. Vaping is a new practice and few case studies have been done. This has posed difficulty in ruling out the harmful effects of vaping.
Vaping THC & Drug Tests
Using hemp-derived products can lead to the deposition of cannabinoids in the body. Some of them, namely THC, are lipophilic, i.e., fat-soluble. THC is one such phytochemical—a hemp derivative that binds against the fat cells in the body.
These cells may take up to 30 days to metabolize and thus may result in a positive drug test within the period. Urine test is the commonest drug test that can detect the presence of THC—even a month after intake.
There are other tests also.
A saliva test, for instance, can detect THC within 72 hours of intake.
A hair test, on the other hand, can detect a possible consumption instance within 90 days. However, it is not useful in detecting the compound within a shorter period, say one or two days of using THC.
Consequences of Using THC
Consuming THC through vape or other forms is legalized in most US states. However, some employers – even in these states – may have strict regulations against the use of the compound. They may administer a drug test on recruits or even timely tests on employees on board.
As you may have guessed, failure of the test can lead to even cessation of employment.
Even though urine test is the most common THC test, hair analysis may also be done since it gives a larger detection window.
The Bottom Line
Vaping THC is the most preferred method of administration. However, it may also have unwanted health consequences. There are mixed opinions on vaping THC from medical professionals and experts. Nevertheless, vaping is generally deemed less harmful than smoking.
In general, Delta-8 THC is regarded as a better alternative to Delta-9, as it is somewhat milder.
Vaping directly affects the lungs and can be fatal for someone who is suffering from a pulmonary disorder. It also leads to addiction in many cases. To avoid that, consult a doctor before you use it and make it a part of your daily regime.
