THC VAPE As more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use, you may be curious about the types of products available to you. The popularity of vaping tetrahydrocannabinol (THC VAPE ) oil is one that is on the rise.1

Vaping THC oil involves heating the oil and inhaling it through a vaporizing device like a vape pen or e-cigarette. Many healthcare providers are concerned about the health-related effects of this THC product type.

Also Known As: A THC VAPE vaping device can be referred to as a vape pen, dab pen, wax pen, THC pen, e-hookah, or mod. THC oil is sometimes called vape juice, 710 (OIL spelled backward), wax, shatter, or black glass. The container that holds the oil is known as a pod.

Drug Class: Marijuana has long been known for both its stimulant and depressant properties.2 However, it is also sometimes classified as a hallucinogen.

Common Side Effects: Cannabis vaping can result in side effects such as cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal issues.3

What Does Vaping THC Oil Do?

THC is the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana and the substance that makes you feel “high.” In addition to giving a euphoric feeling, THC is also believed to impact pain, mood, and other feelings.4 It provides these effects through the way it impacts cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

While people can react to THC VAPE differently, some of the most common reasons people use marijuana include helping with anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and depression.5 Additionally, vaping is the third most common marijuana consumption method, followed by smoking and edibles.

What the Experts Say

Research suggests that vaping THC oil, especially oil that contains vitamin E acetate, can be particularly harmful to the lungs.6 Vitamin E acetate, which is regularly added to THC when preparing it for use in e-cigarettes and vaping devices, is particularly harmful when it’s inhaled.

In 2019, the dangers of vaping came to light. In September of that year, health officials began investigating an outbreak of a severe lung disease associated with vaping and e-cigarettes. By December, 2,561 cases of the lung disease often referred to as e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) had resulted in hospitalization or death.