Cutting agents aren’t bad themselves, and are generally used to lessen the viscosity of THC oils so they can be vaped properly. However, certain cutting agents are a hard no. Vitamin E Acetate
Are cutting agents bad for vaping THC?
In short, those culprits include hazardous cutting agents. Cutting agents aren’t bad themselves, and are generally used to lessen the viscosity of THC oils so they can be vaped properly. However, certain cutting agents are a hard no.
Can cannabis vape thinning agents be heated?
Cannabis and e-cigarettes use different thinning agents and are heated and vaporized at different temperatures, but there are parallels that have now led researchers to begin similar research on cannabis thinning agents. However, there is no research regarding heating of thinning agents in vaporizing devices specifically designed for cannabis.
What is vape oil and how does it work?
In theory, vaporization is supposed to heat the oil enough to release volatile terpenes and cannabinoid compounds (THC, CBD) into the air, but not enough to create smoke. Rather than burning cannabis, which occurs at temperatures above 400˚C, vape oil only needs to be heated to around 160-190˚C for the cannabinoids and terpenes to aerosolize.
What should you do with your vape cartridges?
If you own illicit vape cartridges, throw them away immediately. The CDC, FDA, and HHS advised consumers to avoid buying cannabis vapes or using products off the street. They are unregulated, untested, and are often contaminated.
What are carts commonly cut with?
Common Cutting Agents & AdditivesTerpenes. The flavoring for most cartridges is terpenes. ... Coconut Oil. Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) which can help make oils thin enough to work on most standard atomizers.Glycols & Glycerin.
What are dab pens cut with?
The California Department of Public Health then tested the products and found that some of them were cut with undisclosed additives, such as vitamin E, vitamin E acetate, propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and medium chain triglycerides (MCT). Some samples were as much as 30 percent additive.
What are pesticides in Vapes?
The study found that out of 12 illicit vape cartridges tested, nine contained dangerously high levels of vitamin E acetate. On top of that, all of the illegal vapes contained pesticides, including myclobutanil, which can break down into poisonous hydrogen cyanide when inhaled.
What additives are in carts?
The 4 most common additives found in vape cartridges are polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), and vitamin E acetate.
What chemicals are in dab pen cartridges?
Instead of containing nicotine, cannabis vape cartridges typically contain a mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, various solvents used as thinning agents, and flavoring additives.
Is it okay to vape essential oils?
Are there certain ingredients to avoid? As there's currently no research available on the effects of vaping essential oils, avoiding vaping any essential oil is your best bet. Even essential oils that are generally considered safe for inhalation have the potential to change and become toxic when heated for vaping.
Do all vapes have pesticides?
Among the most concerning: 60 percent of the vape liquids tested contained flammable, toxic solvents or pesticides. It also found that eight out of 15 products were mislabeled — containing at least 20 percent less CBD than advertised.
What harmful chemicals are in vapes?
Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including:ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease.volatile organic compounds.heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.
Do DAB carts have pesticides in them?
Testing a subset of 10 unregulated carts, the testing company found all 10 tested positive for pesticides and contained myclobutanil, a fungicide that can turn into hydrogen cyanide when burned.
Are dispensary carts safe?
The safest marijuana carts are the ones that come with scientific data to verify their safety. The best place to buy tested vape pens and carts is from licensed marijuana dispensaries. Avoid using carts that contain Vitamin E Acetate, Polyethylene Glycol PEG, Propylene Glycol PG or Vegetable Glycerine VG.
Can terpenes be harmful?
However, there are dangers to using terpenes as well, especially in their pure, concentrated forms. In high concentrations, terpenes can relax the blood vessel walls and cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and dizziness. Concentrated forms can be toxic to our cells — causing irritation, pain, inflammation, and more.
What oil is used in Vapes?
It's made from vegetable oil. Propylene glycol is a clear, slightly syrupy liquid, and it's virtually odorless and colorless. Sweeteners include sucralose and ethyl maltol. E-liquid flavors are wide-ranging, and can read like a wine tasting: "notes of vanilla" or "berries and herbal notes."
What is the base of a dab pen called?
batteryThe bottom part of a vape pen is called the battery. The two parts screw together (it's known as a 510 thread). Some batteries have a button that you press to activate the cartridge. This heats up the oil and creates the vapor that you'll inhale.
Are dab pens and carts the same?
Vape pens consist of a battery that's normally 510 threaded, that you'll connect a vape cart into for heating, vaporizing, and inhaling. A dab pen has a chamber with a heating apparatus, like aluminum coils, or ceramic wicks that you'll fill with concentrates or dabs, manually.
Are wax and oil pens the same?
Differences Between Wax Pens, Dab Pens, and Vape Pens Wax and dab pens use waxy concentrates and dabs, while pens typically use oils or liquid. This is part of what makes vape pens convenient and easy to use — an oil cartridge can be loaded into the device and even kept there during periods of non-use.
How do you dab wax from a pen?
Turn on the dab pen by clicking the power button five times which will start a blinking light. Click the power button and check the coil to make sure it is working. This will help make sure you do not waste your wax by placing it on the coil without knowing if your coil is working.
What’S in Your Vape Pen Oil Cartridge?
Vaporization is gaining popularity in the medical cannabis community, and for good reason. Not only does vaporizing provide you with a means of saf...
Commonly Used Cutting Agents in Vape Oils
Most vape oils are comprised largely with ingredients other than the beneficial cannabis compounds, and are usually diluted with one or a mixture o...
Tips For Choosing The Best Vape Oil Cartridge/Pen
In today’s market, it is hard to feel confident that you have made the right choice in a vape oil. The problem is there are so many different ways...
What are the three companies that have been subpoenaed to collaborate with the FDA in their investigation?
Furthermore, vitamin E acetate was found in the products of each of the three companies that have been subpoenaed to collaborate with the FDA in their investigation — Mass Terpenes, Honey Cut, and Floraplex Terpenes. All three companies sell diluting agents.
Is vitamin E acetate harmful?
Had such people been professionals, they should have probably known, or cared, that vitamin E acetate presents no harm in skin creams and supplements, but inhaling it can have horrific outcomes, one of them being lipoid pneumonitis. [1] .
Is vitamin E acetate a contaminant?
While no single contaminant or cutting agent was present in every one of the compromised vape cartridges that were tested, vitamin E acetate is a significant common thread. For example, it was discovered in 13 of the 15 bootleg THC cartridges that were tested by CannaSafe, a pioneer in cannabis lab testing, at the behest of NBC.
Is cutting agent bad for you?
In short, those culprits include hazardous cutting agents. Cutting agents aren’t bad themselves, and are generally used to lessen the viscosity of THC oils so they can be vaped properly.
Is vaping a THC?
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) report specifically states that “THC is present in most of the samples tested by FDA to date, and most patients report a history of using THC-containing products.”
The Rising Number Of EVALI Cases
Vaping was once considered a safer alternative to smoking but that doesn’t seem entirely true anymore. As Leafly put it, “humanity has engaged in a massive, uncontrolled field trial of electronic drug-delivery systems known as vaporizers.” As smokers of all ages began dabbling with vape pens, 2019 put all concerns into focus.
Are Phytol Products Safe To Use?
While phytol is a derivative of the cannabis plant, there’s no word on how much phytol is safe to inhale. Canopy Growth’s study is among the first to explore the toxicity levels between phytol and propylene glycol. The study was conducted on lab rats who received a mist of phytol and air, or propylene glycol and air, or just air.
Is Phytol Still Legal?
Places like Canada and the U.S. still haven’t placed bans on phytol but it’s becoming increasingly rare to find in the legal market.
What are terpenes in cartridges?
Terpene additives are another common addition to cartridges to enhance the flavor profile of the product. In fact, they are sometimes seen as an alternative to PEG and PG and also used to thin out thicker cannabis oils. Terpenes can be derived from cannabis itself or from other natural plants, and are generally safe for consumers.
What is a cutting agent in vape cartridges?
Cutting agents are used in vape cartridges to thin out concentrates so they work better with vaping devices and atomizers. By making the oil compliant with these devices, manufacturers introduce potentially unhealthy chemicals into the cannabis oil. The most common and criticized cutting agent is polyethylene glycol (PEG), ...
What is a C annabis cartridge?
C annabis vape pens and cartridges are some of the most popular products on dispensary shelves for their ease of use and ability to deliver potent hits on-the-go. These products are quickly becoming one of the fastest rising segments of the cannabis market, experiencing 400% growth in 2016 alone. To fill the demand for vaporizer cartridges, new ...
What to look for when you are left guessing what additives may be in a product?
To cut down on the guessing, you can look for certain red flags. First, it’s best to avoid potentially unsafe additives and chemicals. Some of the top additives to watch out for are:
Why do you add terpenes to cannabis?
First, they contribute to the entourage effect, which provides a full-spectrum experience and a more robust high.
What is VG in vapes?
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) Other medium chain triglycerides (MCT) Going beyond the cannabis oil itself, it’s also a good idea to look at the cartridge and even the vape. Immediate red flags can be seen in the cartridge itself. It’s best to avoid plastic and low-grade wire.
Is vape cartridge good?
Vape cartridges are great for on-the-go use, just be sure to find a quality product free of potentially harmful additives. Thankfully, there’s a decent variety of brands that live up to these claims and more and more quality products made without cutting agents or non-cannabis additives are popping up across the country.
What are terpenes in vape oil?
Terpenes as Additives. In addition to natural and artificial flavorings, terpenes can be added for flavor and effect. The quality and source of the terpenes used in the vape oil goes a long way in determining if these compounds are beneficial, or harmful.
What is the most common cutting agent in vape oil?
Most vape oils are comprised largely with ingredients other than the beneficial cannabis compounds, and are usually diluted with one or a mixture of cutting agents, the most common being: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Propylene glycol (PG) Vegetable glycerin (VG) Coconut oil or MCT oil.
What is distilled oil?
A distilled oil is referred to as a distillate. In the distillation process, the plant material containing the valuable cannabinoids and flavonoids is first extracted using traditional means like CO2. Then, companies like Evolab utilize fractional distillation, allowing them to “boil off” the pure cannabinoid fraction from raw CO2 oil, thereby producing a clear, potent product that typically ranges between 85-95% total cannabinoids.
What are the side effects of inhaling PG?
The most common side effects of inhalation of a PG-containing product are dry mouth, sore throat, and increased thirst. However, it is important to note that there are currently no documented scientific studies on the safety of inhaling propylene glycol that has been heated or burned. Despite this alarming fact, ...
What is Evolab cannabis?
Evolab created the world’s first suite of cannabis specific pharmaceutical-grade extraction technologies. We produce exceptionally pure oils, without the use of any cutting agents. Our proprietary technology is designed to preserve the compounds of the …
What is the difference between coconut oil and MCT oil?
Coconut oil and its close relative MCT oil are relatively newcomers to the growing list of cutting agents. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are triglycerides whose fatty acids have an aliphatic tail of 6–12 carbon atoms. The fatty acids found in MCTs are called medium-chain fatty acids.
Is propylene glycol thinner than PEG?
Propylene glycol is generally thinner than PEG, and doesn’t emulsify with oils quite as effectively as PEG, but is still the most popular cutting agent. PG won’t create huge vape clouds, but has a reputation for creating clean, smooth draws.
What happens when you burn cannabis?
Burning cannabis oils can produce some of the same free radicals that are formed when you burn cannabis or tobacco, which is why people have turned to vaporizing (vaping). Vaporizing means that cannabis is heated without combustion. Active ingredients are released by the heat into a fine-mist vapor.
Why use terpenes in oil?
Instead, many are turning to terpenes as they help thin the oil while improving flavor. Others are using different extraction methods such as CO2 extraction to achieve an oil thin enough to be consumed in a cartridge without the need for additive thinners.
Is cannabis oil harmful?
Harmful agents to avoid in cannabis oil. When vaporized, cannabis oils are frequently mixed with thinning agents for better performance in a vaporizing device. However, when some thinning agents are heated, potentially harmful carbonyl compounds can be produced.
Is vaping safer than smoking?
Since combustion does not occur, smoke is not created. People who vape cannabis perceive vaping to be safer and less harmful to their health than smoking.
Is there a safety test for vape pen?
Furthermore, there has been a lack of adequate safety testing for the vape pen devices. Pre-packaged oil cartridges are not well labeled in some cases, and thinning agents are frequently developed in countries that have no regulatory controls.
Can you heat e-cigarettes?
However, there is no research regarding heating of thinning agents in vaporizing devices specifically designed for cannabis.
Who is Jacqueline Havelka?
Jacqueline Havelka is a contributing writer for Leafly. She's a rocket scientist turned writer, having worked in the space program for many years managing experiments on the Space Station and Shuttle. Jacqueline currently owns her own firm, Inform Scientific, specializing in technical and medical writing and research program management. When she’s not writing, she is likely watching college football.
What happens when you vape lipids?
When you do this, there is the potential for an accumulation of lipids in the alveoli. This basically means that you will have fats clogging up the walls of your lungs.
What chemicals are used in vaporizers?
The most common of these chemicals is propylene glycol.
Is propylene glycol safe to use alone?
Alone and untampered with, propylene glycol has been deemed safe by both Health Canada and the FDA. It is when heat is added that propylene glycol becomes a significant risk to your health. A report released by Dr. Jahan Marcu in 2015 exposed the dangers of propylene glycol, stating that when heat is applied, propylene glycol can undergo ...
Can you vaporize cannabis oil?
One of the methods of vaporizing cannabis oils is to fill vaporizer cartridges. This method provides a discrete, effective, and portable way to consume cannabis. However, in previous cartridge designs, these concentrates would not vaporize easily.
Is vaping a safe alternative to smoking?
If you were to vaporize highly refined, pure cannabis concentrate, vaping could still provide a safer alternative to smoking.
Is vaping safer than smoking?
For years, vaping cannabis has thought to be a safer alternative to smoking. The lower temperatures involved prevent the creation of unstable carcinogenic byproducts often associated with smoking. Furthermore, the extraction of the active ingredients in cannabis, and the production of cannabis concentrates remove many of ...
What is additive free extract?
In terms of extracts, additive-free extract is called “rosin”, and it also comes in vape carts in mature adult-use markets. There’s also tinctures, sublinguals, edibles, topicals, and transdermals, for those who want to avoid all cannabinoid inhalation products. Leafly originally published this story Sept. 6.
What is the extract called in vape carts?
Check store licenses on regulators’ websites, like California’s license lookup tool. In terms of extracts, additive-free extract is called “rosin”, and it also comes in vape carts in mature adult-use markets.
What are the names of the tainted vapes?
Health officials have confirmed that among the tainted carts are ones with the illicit market brand names Dank Vapes, TKO, Off White, Moon Rocks, Chronic Carts, and West Coast Carts , but the condition is linked to multiple illicit market brands across multiple states.
Is tocopheryl acetate banned in vapes?
Washington and Oregon banned tocopheryl acetate in vapes mid-November. Colorado intends to ban tocopheryl-acetate, MCT oil, and PEG this winter. Cheap illicit market vape carts also routinely malfunction. Malfunctioning carts can get very hot, and burn additives and thickeners, releasing an unknown noxious gas.
Is a licensed supply chain harder to contaminate?
Licensed supply chains are much harder to contaminate. By contrast, street traffickers are filling carts with harmful chemicals, and they go straight into your lungs. Here’s how to spot an illicit market, or counterfeit THC vape cart.
Can vape carts cause lung damage?
There are multiple known contaminants in illicit vape carts that could cause lung injury. But on Nov. 8, the CDC announced a “very strong culprit of concern”—vitamin E oil, (aka tocopheryl-acetate).
How many suspected deaths in Oregon?
In contrast, Oregon has two suspected deaths and 18 suspected illnesses. Colorado has 11 suspected cases. The state of Washington may have 18 cases, with one allegedly linked to a store.
What are the additives in vape pens?
Common additives in cannabis oil vape pens, such as Propylene Glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), can result in exposure to harmful carcinogenic compounds when heated and inhaled. PEG, PG, and some pesticides degrade into stronger toxins at temperatures that vape pens can reach.
Is vaporizing cannabis better than smoking?
Vaporizing cannabis is supposed to be a healthier mode of administration than smoking cannabis. But much depends on the quality of the product. In theory, vaporization is supposed to heat the oil enough to release volatile terpenes and cannabinoid compounds (THC, CBD) into the air, but not enough to create smoke.
Is PG in a vaporizer?
Project CBD was the first cannabis industry watchdog to call attention to research showing that when PG is heated in an electronic vaporizer, it can decompose into formaldehyde, a potent carcinogen. They noted with concern that thinning agents such as PG are typically present in hemp -derived CBD oil extracts.
Is propylene glycol a thinning agent?
Jahan Marcu that exposed the potential hazards of heating and inhaling propylene glycol (PG), a widely used thinning agent in many cannabis oil products, including vape pen cartridges.