5 Surprising Benefits of Smoking CBD

Smoking CBD, or cannabidiol, has taken a recent hold on a growing number of people who were once averse to the cannabis flower.

Human beings have had a very long and extremely complicated relationship with the humble cannabis plant. Before its complicated legal status, it was one of the earliest plants that we cultivated for food, textiles, medicinal and ritual uses.

Remnants of phytocannabinoid residue burned in wooden braziers at the Jirzankal Cemetery (ca. 500 BCE) suggest that cannabis Sativa plants were smoked as part of ritual ceremonies in China over 2500 years ago [1].

Today, there are many ways to use industrial hemp flower products.

You can extract the active cannabinoids and terpenes as concentrates to create a variety of CBD products, or you can smoke the hemp flower as-is. 

Being aware of the type of CBD experience you want to have will help you choose the best CBD product, as the different routes of administration and potency can affect the effects, the onset time, and how long it lasts.

Reported benefits of smoking CBD include relaxation, stress support, sleep support, and healthy inflammatory function. Learn more about the risks, the effects and the natural ways to smoke CBD. 

Benefits Of Smoking CBD

Smoking CBD is the fastest way to enjoy the benefits of the cannabinoid as it enters the bloodstream within a matter of seconds via the oxygen exchange in the lungs.

When you inhale smoke, cannabinoids and terpenes enter the bloodstream via the oxygen exchange in the lungs, where it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is an extensive network made up of messengers, receptors, and enzymes that regulate some of the vital systems in our body to maintain homeostasis (balance).

While smoking CBD isn't ideal for everyone, it can have some unique advantages. 

1. Fast Effects

Out of all of the ways you could possibly imagine using CBD, smoking (inhalation) offers the most effective route of delivery. This means that the benefits of smoking CBD can be felt almost immediately after use.

When we consume a substance, the path it takes to enter our body is called the routine of delivery. Whether it's inhalation, ingestion, or intravenously, understanding the route of delivery is important for determining how quickly and effectively the substance takes its effect, as well as its potential risks.

Other than taking substances intravenously (which isn't available outside clinical settings), smoking CBD is the fastest route of delivery.

Comparatively, when you eat CBD, the digestive system breaks down most of the active compounds before it enters the bloodstream, meaning you're not getting the full concentration of CBD and other phytochemical compounds listed on the packaging.

2. Non-Intoxicating

Smoking CBD will not get you high.

CBD-rich hemp flowers closely resemble the appearance and smell of marijuana because of the terpenes present.

Terpenes are aromatic botanical compounds that give plants their distinct smells. They can also contribute to the flavor and effect profile of your cannabis.

CBD is not a psychotropic compound.

As long as you're purchasing hemp-derived CBD products, you will not experience any intoxicating effects associated with marijuana because the main culprit for the high is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

Hemp flowers are CBD-rich and low in THC (below 0.3%), offering a calming and relaxing sensation without altering one's sense of perception. One of the main benefits of smoking CBD is to reap the cannabinoid's benefits without psychoactive effects.

3. Natural Alternative To Vapes & Cigarettes

When vaping first rose to popularity, many believed that it was a much healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes or smoking hemp flower. However, this thought has been debunked after a rise in vaping led to a national health epidemic of lung injuries and illness.

The nicotine vaping health crisis caused scientists to take a closer look at common ingredients within vapes, and currently, the ingredient of concern that scientists believe may be the culprit is the vitamin E acetate present within many vape solutions, as well as poorly constructed vape devices that burn heavy metals that can damage the lungs.

While low-vapor smoke can help to reduce the heat your lungs are exposed to, it's important to shop for quality devices and CBD vape juice or CBD vape oil that are made with clean ingredients. 

This isn't to say that there aren't any risks associated with smoking CBD, as smoking does come with its own set of risks, but it may be a more natural option for those looking to steer away from synthetic vape products. And if you don't want an alternative to smoking thats not through smoking, gummies are nicotine-free and can help quit.

There's no doubt that nicotine is a highly addictive compound. For many people who smoke nicotine cigarettes, the habit of lighting up a stick and inhaling smoke perpetuates the addiction.

Hemp flower CBD cigarettes offer an alternative for smokers when the craving strikes.

In a study, smoking CBD was found to reduce the salience of cigarette craving cues [2].

Many people enjoy smoking high CBD flower as a tobacco-free alternative to take the edge off.

4. Healthy Inflammatory Function

One of the many potential benefits of smoking CBD is to support healthy inflammation.

Inflammation is on everyone's mind these days because, for much of Western society, it's become a chronic issue. Chronic inflammation is known to lead to achy joints, stiffness, and pain, a long list of ailments.

CBD has been shown to help support healthy inflammatory function. In a study published by the Journal of Experimental Medicine, CBD was shown to reduce inflammation and aches in an animal-based study [3]. 

5. Supports A Calm Mood

Marijuana has been a go-to for those struggling with stress. However, marijuana isn't always a dependable option.

Recent literature shows that the high amount of THC within marijuana may actually enhance feelings of anxiousness or paranoia [4].

Smoking CBD, on the other hand, has been found to help calm the mind thanks to its interaction with GABA receptors in the brain [5].

GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase the feeling of calm and relaxation. Therefore, the benefits of smoking CBD from a hemp plant might be the better option for those struggling to calm the mind. 

What Are Side Effects Of Smoking CBD?

There are two main risks you should be aware of when smoking CBD, one being the company you buy from and the other side effect is the long term effects your lungs might have from it.

Smoking a CBD cigarette or a CBD pre-roll may appear to others that you're smoking marijuana due to the similar smell and appearance. The company you buy your CBD smokables from cannot be held responsible in the occurrence of a misunderstanding of the product’s true nature.

Smoking has been shown to cause potential long-term effects on the lungs. However, if smoking is the method you enjoy using to consume CBD, choose a CBD smokable with 100% pure CBD and no nasty additives to help reduce the risks from smoking CBD.

What Does Smoking CBD Feel Like?

Many people report that smoking CBD feels like instant peace of mind and tranquility.

One of the benefits of smoking CBD offers the fastest method of delivery of CBD, with effects being felt in as little as 5-10 minutes and lasting for up to 3 hours.

Keep in mind, what smoking CBD feels like will vary from person to person based on tolerance, lifestyle factors, and genetics. 

Smoking CBD vs. THC

CBD vs THC are two very different experiences.

If you're inhaling CBD, raw CBD flowers legally contain under the legal limit of THC (0.3%), the chemical component in the cannabis plants that brings about a high feeling.

This results in a calm and centered feel, with a very low probability of feeling intoxicated or failing a drug screening.

If you're smoking a product high in THC (over 0.3%), you're smoking a marijuana product that is not yet federally legal and will get you high.

This results in feelings of intoxication that adults commonly enjoy recreationally or for applied medical purposes, but significantly raises the chances of failing a drug screening.

Is it ok to Smoke CBD? 

If it's your first time smoking CBD, it's understandable that you may be a little nervous. 

Before getting started, consult with a trusted health care professional to make sure you can enjoy smoking CBD worry-free.

Once you get the okay, start slow with a single puff and monitor how you feel. 

Try and work your way up slowly when smoking CBD to make sure you can tolerate it well and have a pleasant experience. 

The Takeaway: The Benefits Of Smoking CBD

The benefits of smoking CBD are: it's fast-acting, non-psychoactive, supports healthy inflammatory function, may assist those looking to quit tobacco cigarettes, and supports a calm mood.

Check out our line of Neurogan CBD Smokables for premium third-party tested, non-GMO hemp, made in a GMP-certified facility. 

FAQ About Smoking CBD 

What Does Smoking CBD Feel Like?

CBD can affect everyone differently depending on their experience with CBD, genetics, and lifestyle.

The most common feeling is relaxation and contentment. Smoking delivers the compounds directly into the bloodstream through the lungs, so it will feel more potent and fast-acting than eating CBD.

How to Smoke CBD?

There are pure CBD extracts such as concentrates that require equipment to smoke such as a vape or a rig.

The simplest way to smoke CBD is with hemp cigarettes, as they come pre-packaged for you.

Some experienced CBD smokers may hold their breath for a few seconds to increase the amount of cannabinoid absorption into the lungs before exhaling. 

Are CBD Cigarettes Safe?

All smokable products come with a risk of lung irritation.

CBD itself is a safe compound that’s well-tolerated in most people.

Shop for quality CBD cigarettes made from hemp grown without nasty chemicals and check the company’s lab tests to confirm the quality before buying. 

Resources:

1. 1. Ren, M., Tang, Z., Wu, X., Spengler, R., Jiang, H., Yang, Y., & Boivin, N. (2019). The origins of cannabis smoking: Chemical residue evidence from the first millennium BCE in the Pamirs. Science advances, 5(6), eaaw1391.

   2. Ren, M., Tang, Z., Wu, X., Spengler, R., Jiang, H., Yang, Y., & Boivin, N. (2019). The origins of cannabis smoking: Chemical residue evidence from the first millennium BCE in the Pamirs. Science advances, 5(6), eaaw1391.

   3. Hindocha, C., Freeman, T. P., Grabski, M., Stroud, J. B., Crudgington, H., Davies, A. C., ... & Curran, H. V. (2018). Cannabidiol reverses attentional bias to cigarette cues in a human experimental model of tobacco withdrawal. Addiction, 113(9), 1696-1705.

   4. De Filippis, D., Esposito, G., Cirillo, C., Cipriano, M., De Winter, B. Y., Scuderi, C., ... & Iuvone, T. (2011). Cannabidiol reduces intestinal inflammation through the control of neuroimmune axis. PLoS One, 6(12), e28159.

   5. Freeman, D., Dunn, G., Murray, R. M., Evans, N., Lister, R., Antley, A., ... & Morrison, P. D. (2015). How cannabis causes paranoia: using the intravenous administration of∆ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to identify key cognitive mechanisms leading to paranoia. Schizophrenia bulletin, 41(2), 391-399.

   6. Bakas, T., Van Nieuwenhuijzen, P. S., Devenish, S. O., McGregor, I. S., Arnold, J. C., & Chebib, M. (2017). The direct actions of cannabidiol and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol at GABAA receptors. Pharmacological research, 119, 358-370.

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Disclaimer

The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.