Teenagers are becoming more interested in CBD vaping.

In addition to grad schools and hospitals, US News ranks mutual funds, cars, and mutual fund companies. Learn about health conditions, track elected officials, and get educational, business, and health news. US News also provides rankings of colleges and universities, including undergraduate and graduate programs. Additionally, hospitals are rated on the site, providing insight into patient care and hospital performance.

A nationwide survey of U.S. students found that middle school and high school students are increasingly vaping CBD (cannabidiol). Health experts warn there may be serious health risks associated with vaping CBD.

The National Youth Tobacco Survey of 2022 found that nearly one in five students who use electronic cigarettes vaped CBD, a component of marijuana that does not get people high like THC. The majority of respondents did not know whether they had vaporized CBD or not.

Vaping CBD is most common among Hispanic and LGBTQ+ children, according to the survey. Students in this group are more likely to be exposed to vaping products and have a more difficult time understanding the risks associated with them, according to the survey. Furthermore, secondhand vaping was more prevalent in them.

Despite its popularity as the most popular non-psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD's use raises several safety concerns, including male reproductive system damage and liver damage.

According to Hongying Daisy Dai's research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Public Health, Public health campaigns, interventions, and policy changes are needed to reduce vaping CBD's harmful health effects among developing youth.

A specialist disputes CBD's non-psychoactive properties, and another expresses concerns.

Despite its psychoactive properties, CBD still has a lot to offer. A New York child-adolescent psychiatrist who was not involved in the study says there may be cardiac, pulmonary, and cognitive effects.

Vapes contain a variety of chemicals that are not always obvious, especially since they are almost completely unregulated by the federal government.

There have been cases where vape pens have been suspected of containing other substances. It was unclear whether the kids were consuming one thing or another, such as cocaine. The only thing the kid remembers about vape pen smoking is smoking it," Krakower said. "If you buy vapes from a dealer rather than a store, stuff will show up in the urine.

From January to May 2022, researchers collected data from around 28,000 American students participating in the Youth Tobacco Survey. 24% of the 2,448 active users of e-cigarettes have vaped CBD, while 6.3% do not know whether they have done so.

AMA Network Open published the findings on August 16.

Young people underestimate the risks associated with vaping CBD and cannabis, whether it is distilled as wax or active cannabis containing either THC or cannabidiol. Dr. Diane Tanaka, medical director at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, says that young people underrecognize the risks associated with vaping CBD or cannabis.

The study found that people are not even aware that they are vaping CBD, which raises two concerns. Tanaka, who was not involved in the study, also believes it is probably flavoring and makes a cool vapor when used.

In my opinion, this is a very strong indication that more education is needed regarding vaping, as well as sharing the potential health risks related specifically to vaping cannabis or derivatives thereof like CBD with young people," she explained.

Children vaping CBD may be risky because of their habit as well as because of the marijuana itself. It is also unknown how vaping cannabis will affect your health in the long run, and regular use of cannabis might be harmful in the long run. More education and awareness are needed to prevent children from endangering their health.

Cannabis or marijuana use has a profound impact on brain development and mood the younger you start using it, according to Tanaka.

She explained that 12-year-olds using marijuana are at greater risk than 25-year-olds who are just starting. Because children's brains are still developing and are habit-forming, vaping CBD poses special risks to them. While children may not fully understand the risks associated with vaping CBD or cannabis, the long-term impact of these substances on their health is still largely unknown. Thus, children should be educated and aware of potential harms to ensure their safety.

Several early studies have indicated that it can negatively affect memory and kids' ability to remember school information and academics," Tanaka said. As a result, there is concern that it may affect how neurotransmitters work in the developing brain compared to what they will do in a fully matured brain at 25.

The effects of e-cigarettes in general, which can contain a variety of active substances, including nicotine and THC, as well as secondary harmful substances like carcinogens and heavy metals, are also multifaceted, Krakower said.

In the worst cases, we've seen severe irritability, aggression, hypertension, you know, inability to calm down, and questions at some point whether this contributed to psychosis or severe episodes of psychogenic dysphagia [a swallowing disorder]. "I have other cases where they were ingesting so much that they couldn't even quit. They had to use nicotine patches and gum. It's awful."

The Health and Human Services Department reported that more than 2.5 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2022.

Youth vaping cannabis has significantly increased in the U.S....... in 2022, with the highest prevalence reported among the twelfth-grade students, followed by the tenth-grade students. Increased availability, convenience, and discreetness of vaping devices have contributed to this increase. This rise in cannabis vaping among adolescents has raised concerns among public health professionals, as it can lead to long-term health issues. Furthermore, it can hurt academic performance and social well-being.

CBD is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, but it can cause harm to the lungs, liver, and male reproductive system. Hence, estimating CBD's health effects requires knowledge of the prevalence of vaping CBD through e-cigarettes among youth. Further research is needed to assess the potential harm of vaping CBD and the possible long-term effects of its use. Safety regulations should be implemented for CBD vaping products.

To prevent negative health consequences, targeted interventions must be developed; it is important to estimate subgroups of adolescents who use both e-cigarettes and CBD vaping, as well as those who exclusively vape CBD. Additionally, determining whether certain demographic factors or tobacco use behaviors lead to higher CBD vaping rates among adolescents is crucial. This research can help inform public health strategies to reduce youth CBD vaping. It can also provide insight into why certain subgroups of adolescents may be more vulnerable to CBD vaping than others. Finally, it can help to identify potential targets for intervention.

The study's findings

The current cross-sectional study examined data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), a school-based survey conducted annually among middle and high school students between the ages of 11 and 18 in the United States.

NYTS was conducted online in 2022, with 28,291 students from 341 schools participating. During the survey, participants were asked whether they had vaped CBD or CBD oils or used e-cigarettes.

Participants were also asked if they vaped any of the substances mentioned above or used e-cigarettes beyond 30 days. In addition to tobacco use, hookahs, smokeless tobacco, and bidis, participants were asked about their use of these products.

Conclusions of the study

In the study cohort, 49% of the participants were females, and 51% were males. 56% of the participants were middle, and 27% were high school students.

The study cohort consisted of non-Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and other ethnicities. Bisexual, gay, lesbian, and heterosexual students identified themselves, while a few students were unsure.

CBD vaping was prevalent among e-cigarette users. In the past 30 days, students who currently vape CBD also reported using e-cigarettes. 

Hispanic adolescents were more likely to use e-cigarettes and report using CBD than non-Hispanic White youths. It may be a result of low media literacy that this disproportionate use occurs.

In comparison to heterosexual groups, gay, lesbian, and bisexual students have a higher prevalence of current CBD vaping. Additionally, CBD vaping rates were higher among individuals unsure of their sexual identity. It could be that adolescents from sexual minority backgrounds experience greater stress as a result of social stigma and marginalization due to social stigma.

Vaping frequency and duration were positively correlated with current CBD vaping. CBD vaping increased among non-e-cigarette users due to the perception of tobacco dangers. It may be possible to reduce the use of CBD in adolescents by educating them about its adverse health effects.

Negative aspects

The current study has some limitations due to its self-reported data, which is susceptible to social desirability bias.

Students were also asked whether they had been exposed to CBD vaping, specifically about vaping CBD in the past 30 days, without asking about frequency or dosage. This lack of data prevented the authors from determining how CBD vaping affected the study participants.

NYTS data also did not show evidence of other CBD sources, such as edibles, oil extracts, and flowers. The cross-sectional nature of the NYTS data prevented causal inferences.

Final thoughts

Minority groups and Hispanics are more likely to vape CBD than other groups. The results indicate that CBD vaping among adolescents needs to be reduced through information-based educational campaigns and interventions. To reduce the prevalence of CBD vaping among adolescents, stricter regulations should be implemented.