Inhaling CBD is the fastest way to get CBD into your system. CBD inhalers are an innovation in the CBD space that doesn’t use heat to deliver CBD into the lungs.
The fastest way to get the benefits of CBD into your system is through the airway.
Understandably, smoking hemp products have potential risks, and it’s not ideal for children or those prone to lung irritation. The best solution is a CBD-infused inhaler.
CBD inhalers look similar to asthma inhalers — but rather than being loaded up with prescription steroids, they contain aerosol CBD.
These inhalers are not FDA-regulated and do not claim to treat any medical condition, but they still make for a unique and effective mode of delivering CBD and other cannabinoids into the lungs without inhaling heated smoke or vapor.
We’ve rounded up some of the most impressive CBD inhalers on the market in this article and explore what they’re used for and how to use them safely.
Koi Is a brand that never fails to impress us with its innovative CBD products while maintaining strict quality and safety measures in its production.
The Koi Hemp Extract inhaler delivers 5 mg of Purzorb® micellized broad-spectrum CBD with each puff and contains 200 inhalations per device. While it contains a broad-spectrum hemp extract, it still contains trace amounts of THC (<0.001%). Because of this, Koi doesn’t recommend taking this product if you’re subject to drug testing.
Its CBD inhaler comes in two flavors: Dreamsicle (a vanilla-orange creamsicle) and Mojito Mint.
Vapen claims to have produced the first CBD inhaler. The brand is best known for its organic broad-spectrum and CBD isolate products in vaporizer products.
The Vapen Clear inhaler has pharmaceutical-grade pressurized CBD. Each canister contains 1000 mg of CBD isolate extract and a blend of terpenes. This inhaler device delivers 10 mg of CBD with each spray and lasts for about 100 puffs.
It’s available in Strawberry, Bubblegum, and Raw flavors.
Monarch’s hemp comes from Colorado and uses supercritical CO2 extraction for its micelle full-spectrum extracts in its Nano-Mist Inhalers.
Its inhaler device is said to be extremely precise and delivers 8.33 mg of full-spectrum CBD with each spray, containing 180 puffs.
What we like about Monarch’s collection of CBD inhalers is its variety of formulations for specific uses. They’re not only flavored for the palette but also include other active botanical compounds to support targeted health goals:
The Well Beings Inhaler uses THC-free broad-spectrum hemp extract with 1200 mg of CBD and 200 doses per container.
This kit uses a patented micelle CBD extract and herbal extracts including, L-theanine from green tea, ashwagandha, and ginseng. The flavor is derived naturally from terpenes such as limonene and linalool for a citrusy-lavender flavor.
Well Beings recommends this CBD inhaler kit for supporting general stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, chronic pain, and inflammation.
The Fairwinds CBD Inhaler contains 550 mg of broad-spectrum CBD oil enhanced with CBG and natural terpenes. You can get about 220 servings per device, but it delivers smaller doses of hemp extract, 2.27 mg CBD and 0.23mg CBG.
If you’re sensitive to scents or flavors, this is a great option as it’s completely flavorless.
CBD Luxe has a catalog of CBD inhalers that feature micellized full-spectrum hemp extract and a blend of organic botanicals such as spearmint, honey, lemon, lavender, chamomile, and green tea. Each variation contains 1100 mg of CBD, delivering 5.5 mg per dose with just over 200 puffs.
Unlike vaporizers, inhalers don’t use any heat to deliver cannabinoids into the lungs, which also means you don’t need batteries or a charger for these devices.
Instead, they use propellants similar to that of medical inhalers to blast the active compounds into the airways.
These devices contain pharmaceutical-grade propellants such as tetrafluoroethane and albuterol, just like asthma inhalers to stimulate the alveoli heads in the lungs for better absorption.
Another notable term seen in CBD inhaler devices is “micell CBD extract.”
One of the issues with CBD oil is that it’s not easily absorbed since the body is made up of 70% water, and CBD is lipophilic or fat-soluble.
A technology used to get around this to increase the absorption of CBD is by encapsulating it with a specialized molecule that’s lipophilic and hydrophilic (water-loving) called micelles that can easily pass through the body’s mucus membranes for fast delivery into the bloodstream.
This technology is said to increase the oral bioavailability of CBD, but it’s not well studied.
CBD inhalers aren’t the most well-rounded way of using CBD, but they have clear advantages over other forms of administration.
Here are some of the areas where CBD inhalers really shine.
Inhaling CBD is the fastest way to experience its effects and offers the highest bioavailability. All the active compounds in the inhaler bypass the digestive system and first-pass liver processing. They enter the bloodstream via oxygen exchange in the lungs.
While the delivery of each puff seems to be on the lower end in inhaler devices (2–10 mg of CBD), in comparison to edible CBD products, lung inhalation will feel much more potent.
CBD inhalers offer a unique alternative to smoking hemp, concentrates, or vapor CBD products in that it doesn’t produce smoke, vapor, or require any heat that can lead to potential lung damage.
CBD inhalers offer a new level of discretion. Unlike vaping, inhalers don’t produce a cloud of vapor or smoke, and it’s virtually odorless.
Another advantage of using a metered inhaler device is that you get more accurate dosing, something you don’t get with vaporizers or hemp cigarettes. Each CBD inhaler is designed to deliver pre-measured doses with every puff, making measuring your doses much easier and preventing you from going overboard.
The inhaler device and technology are surprisingly inexpensive when you consider that you can get up to 200 doses of CBD for roughly $0.07–$0.10 per mg, which is on par with high-quality CBD oil.
You want to shake your CBD inhaler canister for about 5 seconds before removing the cover over the mouthpiece.
Breathe out and place your lips over the mouthpiece and tilt your head slightly upwards to open your throat passage. Press the canister down with your finger to release the dose and inhale deeply. Hold your breath for a few seconds after inhaling to allow the absorption of the compounds into your lungs.
You can use CBD similar to your vape or smokable products when you need a pick-me-up, pain, stress, or sleep support — but it’s recommended that you don’t exceed 5 doses per day.
It’s also worth noting that just because these devices look like an asthma inhaler, it’s not intended to treat lung conditions, and you should speak with your doctor before using CBD to manage any health concerns.
CBD itself is considered a safe and well-tolerated substance, even when taken in large doses. However, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have drawbacks or side effects.
Because inhaling CBD offers higher bioavailability, it’s much easier to go overboard and accidentally take too much, leading to feelings of discomfort like drowsiness, headaches, upset stomachs, and nausea. To avoid this, it’s always best to start out with the lowest possible dose and monitor your experience for an hour or so before going in for another puff.
The inhaler devices themselves are considered safe for most people, but those who have asthma or any lung condition should not inhale any CBD products without first speaking with their doctor for medical advice.
As always, we encourage consumers to shop responsibly for CBD products as the market isn’t yet well-regulated, and there are many dupes out there offering very little CBD or contain potentially dangerous ingredients.
Here are a few tidbits of advice to help you make the best CBD shopping decisions.
CBD manufacturers that take the safety and well-being of their customers seriously will opt to send a sample of their CBD extract to an accredited third-party lab for inspection.
These tests are made accessible on the company’s website and should inform you of the type of extract (CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, or broad-spectrum) with the exact quantities of each cannabinoid. It should also give you information about the safety of the hemp extract. It should be free from pesticides, mycotoxins, solvents, and heavy metals.
Because you’re inhaling these products, ensuring there are no nasty contaminants is a must.
We can’t always take the brand’s word for the quality of its products, which is why third-party review sites and forums exist.
Before you shop from a brand you’re not familiar with, look to review sites and gather your own research about what others have to say about the product and the company’s customer service.
CBD isn’t the only beneficial cannabinoid found in the hemp plant.
CBD is more effective and well-balanced when combined with other naturally occurring compounds in hemp through a phenomenon called the entourage effect.
Full-spectrum CBD may contain up to 0.3% THC, but if you can’t have any traces of THC due to drug testing or sensitivities, your next best option is broad-spectrum.
The term CBD oil is often misleading.
Hemp extracts are made from the resin found on the buds of hemp plants and contain cannabinoids, terpenes, fatty acids, and polyphenols. Its raw form is thick, sticky, and very difficult to work with, which is why it undergoes processing to make it easier to use in formulations.
CBD extract will sometimes be called CBD oil even when it doesn’t contain any oil.
Inhaling oil like MCT oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil is dangerous and can cause a condition called lipoid pneumonia. Make sure that the ingredient list in your CBD inhaler does not contain CBD oil but contains CBD extract instead.
We’ve rounded up some of the best CBD inhalers on the market to help you get started on your research.
Remember, inhaling CBD will feel a lot stronger than an edible dose of CBD, which is why these inhalers deliver 5—10 mg per puff, so don’t bite off more than you can chew with these products.
CBD inhalers may be worth trying out if you’re interested in a smoke and vape-free way to leverage the fast and potent effects of CBD — but it’s still not recommended for everyone. It’s not intended for use with children, and you should talk to your doctor first if you have a lung condition.