What Are CBD Cartridges?

Recently, CBD cartridges have become the go-to products for CBD intake. Their portability, ease of use, and functionality have everything to do with their popularity. This article will expound on what they are, how they work, what they entail, and their advantages and benefits, not forgetting their side effects.

CBD has been making headlines as a valuable trend regarding health and wellness. While the most form of use for this non-psychoactive product is CBD oil, the reality is there are tons of ways it can be used, CBD cartridges being one of them. Stay on foot in this article as it expounds on what these devices entail.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, popularly referred to as CBD, is a natural compound in the cannabis plant. It belongs to a group of compounds known as cannabinoids in more than 100 distinct types. Therapeutic effects associated with CBD come from the Cannabinoids. According to Baswan et al. (2020), CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, which is composed of a network of cannabinoid receptors responsible for maintaining body homeostasis. Homeostasis is a healthy state of balance within the body. The Endocannabinoid system regulates crucial processes within the body, including sleep, stress, metabolism, and immune responses. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it does not contain the compounds found in THC that make you 'high.'

What are CBD Cartridges?

Regarding portability and ease of use, CBD cartridges stand tall above the rest. CBD cartridges are one of the easiest ways to administer CBD into the body. They are small hand-held devices containing a cylindrical tank filled with CBD vape juice. They come with distinct flavors to achieve optimal satisfaction. CBD cartridges have a volume of 0.5 ml to 1 ml of cannabis oil. This oil is comprised of cannabinoids and terpenes extracted from the cannabis plant.

How Do CBD Cartridges Work?

CBD cartridges are made up of four parts that enable them to function correctly;

Battery – This is the power source of the CBD cartridge

Atomizer – This is the part that is responsible for heating elements inside the cartridge.

Mouthpiece – This part provides the pathway to which vapor travels from the chamber to the mouth

Chamber – This is where the vaping material is held.

The cartridge works in conjunction with the battery. The battery powers the atomizer, which heats the oil in the chamber. This process activates the different components in it. It is then inhaled through the mouthpiece.

How Long Do CBD Cartridges Last?

This entirely depends on the rate at which one is consuming. One thing for sure is that the 1ml cartridge will last longer than the 0.5ml cartridge.

Types of CBD Cartridges

These on-demand devices come in two types which can later be categorized with CBD potency. They include;

Disposable CBD Cartridges

These come already pre-filled with CBD e-liquid. As the name suggests, these are meant to be thrown away when they run out of CBD. Unlike their refillable CBD cartridges, they don't come with a user manual, as one has to draw vapor using their mouth.

Refillable CBD Cartridges

A refillable CBD cartridge is usually empty when new. This means one must use the vape juice separately to fill the cartridge. They are made of high-quality materials as they're meant to last longer. These come with an instruction manual for setting up the device and how to use it. These two types can further be categorized according to their THC levels. They include;

Full-Spectrum CBD Cartridges

These are filled with e-liquid with THC levels of 0.3%.

Broad-Spectrum CBD Cartridges

On the other hand, these contain little to no THC traces.

Isolate CBD Cartridges

These cartridges have no CBD traces in them. They are ideal for athletes since they usually go for a drug test.

Advantages of CBD Cartridges

Easy to Use

CBD cartridges require little effort, thus taking the guesswork completely out of the equation. You must press a button to inhale if it's a refillable CBD cartridge or draws vapor with your mouth if it's a disposable one.

Discretion

The convenience associated with the portability and discretion of CBD cartridges is one of the main reasons they are so popular among methods of CBD intake. They don't produce any smoke and can perfectly fit into your pocket or purse.

Non-psychoactive Effects

One of the misconceptions associated with using CBD cartridges is that they get you 'high.' It is important to note that CBD contains little to no traces of THC, which is the compound responsible for people feeling high after the use of cannabis.

What Are The Benefits Of Using CBD Cartridges?

CBD cartridges are associated with several benefits, as discussed below.

CBD Cartridges For Pain

According to Sexton et al. (2016), pain is the main reason most people consume CBD. However, currently, there is no specific research on how CBD cartridges work on pain.

CBD Cartridges for Seizure and Epilepsy

Early research on rats indicated that CBD reduced or locked seizures in rats. This was later backed up by research conducted on humans. In this study, patients with epilepsy received a dosage of 200-300mg daily, and the patients had fewer seizures.

CBD Cartridges for Insomnia

Drowsiness is one of the most prevalent effects of using CBD cartridges, especially when taken in high doses. Shannon et al. (2019) revealed that CBD could maximize sleep in people with insomnia when administered in a dosage of 160mg.

Anxiety and Depression

Sarris et al. (2020) observed that people use CBD for pain, anxiety, and depression related to insomnia. However, other research differs on the effect of CBD on depression.

Other benefits of using CBD cartridges include;

• Alertness
• Healthy heart
• Mental health disorders
• Inhibits Arthritis symptoms
• Addiction treatment

How to Choose the Right CBD Cartridge

There are several ways how you can choose the correct CBD cartridge:

CBD Potency

This is a priority when choosing a CBD cartridge. The amount of liquid in the chamber doesn't define the amount of CBD in it. Take your time to read through the label, as it has all the details to help you choose.

Ingredients

What other ingredients are incorporated in the cartridge is also essential in choosing a cartridge. Some cartridges carry harmful products in them.

Type of the CBD Cartridge

If new to CBD, disposable CBD cartridges are the go-to. The other type is the refillable CBD cartridge.

Side Effects of Using CBD Cartridges

CBD is a remarkably safe product. A report by WHO in 2018 said that CBD was a generally well-tolerated substance with a good safety profile. CBD still has side effects, especially in high doses. These side effects include dry mouth, diarrhea, dizziness, and tiredness.

Conclusion

CBD cartridges are not intended to prevent, cure, treat or diagnose any ailment. However, their pros outweigh their cons, according to research. You are advised to do due diligence before acquiring them, as the CBD market is flooded with counterfeits. You are also recommended to consult a doctor before taking any CBD products, especially if you are on other medications.

References

Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic Potential Of Cannabidiol (CBD) For Skin Health And Disorders. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, 13, 927.

Sexton, M., Cuttler, C., Finnell, J. S., & Mischley, L. K. (2016). A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Medical Cannabis Users: Patterns Of Use And Perceived Efficacy. Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research, 1(1), 131-138.

Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol In Anxiety And Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23.

Sarris, J., Sinclair, J., Karamacoska, D., Davidson, M., & Firth, J. (2020). Medicinal Cannabis For Psychiatric Disorders: A Clinically-Focused Systematic Review. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 1-14.