From endorsements on the silver screen in the 1950s to the face of anti-smoking campaigns, cigarettes have had a long journey in their public perception.
Cigarettes have been a contentious subject, especially in recent years. Since the height of their popularity in the 1960s, cigarettes have faced a large amount of backlash due to their numerous negative health effects. As technology has evolved, smoking has expanded into many different forms. E-cigarettes have risen to popularity in recent years, though the jury is still out in regards to their effects as compared to the traditional paper cigarette.
With tobacco use falling, many alternatives have entered the scene. One popular type of cigarette, the CBD cigarette, has become popular for its purported health benefits and low addiction potential. Also known as hemp cigarettes, CBD cigarettes are made with hemp flower, utilizing the cannabidiol from the plant without imparting the psychoactive effects of THC. So, what are CBD cigarettes made of? What can they be used for? Could they act as a potential replacement for tobacco cigarettes? In this article, we’ll break down the difference between the traditional tobacco cigarette and its newer counterpart, the CBD cigarette.
What’s the Difference Between CBD Cigarettes and Tobacco Cigarettes?
CBD cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes are different for a number of reasons from contents to effects. While tobacco cigarettes have existed for centuries with a well-documented history, CBD cigarettes are a relatively new alternative offering and deliver a much different experience overall.
Here are a few of the main differences between CBD and tobacco cigarettes:
- While CBD cigarettes are made from hemp flowers, tobacco cigarettes are made with a filter of tobacco along with other chemical additives like menthol and sugar. These extra chemicals can contribute to the negative effects linked to tobacco use.
- The effects of CBD cigarettes have a rapid onset, usually starting within minutes and lasting for a few hours at a time. Smoking is generally considered to be the fastest and most effective method to experience the positive effects of CBD. Tobacco cigarettes, on the other hand, typically take around twenty minutes to kick in. Tobacco effects do not contain the same mellowing effects of CBD, instead matching the effects of other stimulants and creating the potential for addiction with continued use.
- CBD cigarettes have all the benefits of other CBD products. CBD can aid in pain relief, reduce anxiety and depression, and may benefit the brain with neuroprotective properties. Tobacco cigarettes produce a pleasant feeling in the brain due to their stimulating properties but have not been shown to assist in pain relief or have additional neurological benefits.
Is Smoking CBD Healthier than Smoking Tobacco?
So, are CBD cigarettes healthier than tobacco cigarettes? Based on the data, the answer appears to be yes. This can be attributed to a few different properties of CBD as compared to tobacco.
CBD has been shown to have several potential benefits for both the body and the mind. It is used to treat epilepsy in a clinical setting and has been used for the treatment of aches and pains, effects of mental illnesses like depression, and even acne. In addition to these benefits, CBD lacks both the addictive potential of tobacco and the psychoactive effects of marijuana, which are caused by THC.
Ready to try CBD cigarettes? We reviewed the best ones on the market:
Toast Emerald Highest value CBD oil in terms of potency and price. | Read full review | |
Secret Nature If you prefer a pre-roll, it doesn’t get better than this | Read full review | |
Shaman Smokes No-frills CBD cigarette that won’t break the bank | Read full review | |
Chief Stix Great value for the smoker looking for a CBD substitute | Read full review | |
Redwood Reserves Low THC content and grown from a family farm | Read full review | |
Neurogettes Potent CBD smokes at a good value | Read full review |
Tobacco, on the other hand, has a long medical history of links to a whole host of negative health effects. The chemical nicotine found in tobacco is highly addictive and has been shown to have a hand in causing several disorders, which we’ll cover shortly. Tobacco use has a long history of causing or otherwise contributing to cancer due to the mix of chemical additives and tar used to make a tobacco cigarette.
It’s important to note that smoking of any kind can lead to a level of irritation in the throat or chest, though vast differences exist when taking more serious risk factors into consideration. CBD can be ingested in a number of ways. Popular CBD products include topical products like lotions, additives for food, and oils that can be used on the skin or under the tongue. However, smoking has been shown to produce effects much quicker than other methods.
Are CBD Cigarettes Safe?
When compared to other smoking options, CBD cigarettes are considered to be quite safe. First, there is a notable difference between smoking CBD cigarettes and smoking marijuana. Marijuana contains THC, which produces psychoactive effects and a recognizable “high”. CBD acts as an agonist to CB1 receptors while THC tends to act alongside them, meaning the typical effects of marijuana use are not present in CBD cigarettes.
While CBD is known for its calming properties, users do not experience the high of marijuana and are able to participate in daily activities as normal. Is smoking CBD bad for you? The reported side effects of CBD are mild. Common side effects reported include drowsiness, reduced appetite, and dry mouth.
CBD vs. Nicotine
The largest and most important difference between CBD and tobacco cigarettes is their contents. There is a massive difference in the addiction potential between CBD and tobacco. CBD is not known to be addictive in any way. Nicotine, a prominent chemical component of tobacco, is considered to be one of the most addictive substances available. Chemical dependency on nicotine can cause mental stress and open the body up to more serious damaging effects. Tobacco is also known to be a much stronger irritant in the throat, chest, and lungs. Nicotine has been linked to multiple negative health effects from cardiovascular disorders to reduced reproductive health.
Can CBD Help You Quit Tobacco?
Now that we’ve covered the numerous negative effects nicotine and cigarette use have on the body, we can take a look at a possible link between tobacco and CBD use. As nicotine has such high potential for addiction, it can be especially difficult to quit. However, research has suggested that CBD cigarettes can be an excellent alternative and have been shown to decrease cravings associated with addiction to other substances such as nicotine. In one study from the United Kingdom in 2018, CBD was shown to reduce the potency of the positive feelings caused by tobacco cigarettes. Preliminary research from 2013 also suggests a decrease of cigarette consumption from tobacco users when CBD was introduced. This relationship opens up a pathway for frequent tobacco users to find a safer alternative.
Where Can I Buy CBD Cigarettes?
CBD cigarettes can be found in stores in many locations but online purchase is also a quick and easy option. There are many different types of CBD cigarettes with their own unique blends. You can find a list of great options here. If cigarettes aren’t your thing, then check out another smokeable product called pre-rolls.
We always recommend careful consideration and consultation of a medical professional when introducing something new to your body. That said, smoking hemp can be a great option to experience the healing effects of CBD quickly without all the potentially dangerous effects of smoking other substances like tobacco. If you’re looking for a safe and easy way to ease pain, stress, or potentially kick an addiction, CBD cigarettes may be worth a try.
Leave a Reply