Is CBD Better than Nicotine?

In this article, we’re digging into the question, “Is CBD better than nicotine?”

We’ll look at what each chemical does, the associated health risks, other side effects to consider, and other potential impacts on your life. While there are many CBD products available, we’ll be focusing on the most direct comparison between CBD e-liquid and nicotine e-liquids.

Let’s start. 

Quick Summary

CBD oil comes from the hemp plant, as opposed to the cannabis plant, which is basically the same, but the 2018 Farm Bill codifies a difference. A lot of people vape CBD for the health benefits — as a way to relax or manage pain in lieu of prescription medications, among other positive effects. CBD does not have the same harmful chemicals as nicotine, nor is it something that a drug test looks for.

The main difference between CBD vape juice and nicotine vape juice is the detrimental effects. More on that below.

What CBD and Nicotine Do

Nicotine comes from the tobacco plant. Fun fact: the plant produces nicotine to make itself unappealing to insects wanting to eat it, similar to menthol in mint. 

When you smoke, nicotine moves into your bloodstream and travels to your adrenal glands. Adrenal glands produce – you guessed it – adrenaline.

Then adrenaline release produces the effects listed below. It also triggers the release of dopamine in your brain, making you happy. 

Biologically speaking, nicotine is a stimulant. 

In most people, it will:

• Increase heart rate
• Increase breathing rate
• Increase blood pressure
• Reduce hunger

On the other hand, cannabidiol (AKA CBD) is wildly different. It comes from industrial hemp and interacts with the endocannabinoid system in your brain.

There is some evidence, according to Harvard Medical Review, that it can help with:

• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Chronic Pain
• Inflammation
• Insomnia

CBD marketing has made all sorts of wild claims. So if it’s not a peer-reviewed study, it’s about as trustworthy as your buddy who talks about that one time he went skydiving in Belarus – cool story, but what’s it got to do with you? 

CBD doesn’t produce any sort of high or euphoric feeling. Maybe a sense of calm or relaxation as it takes the edge off any anxiety. However, the entourage effect of full-spectrum CBD is still in the early stages of medical analysis.

Side Effects of Nicotine

It’s really addictive. 

Really, really addictive. Which, then, means there are withdrawal symptoms after quitting. 

Other side effects also depend on how you consume it.

Nicotine products, like patches, for example, may cause muscle stiffness. Nicotine gum can cause mouth sores. Tobacco cigarettes used to be the most common form and the fastest way to feel any effects. However, there are a huge variety of tobacco vape products available now.

In general, the side effects of nicotine create an increased risk for the following:

• Blood clots
• Indigestion
• Lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Blood clots
• Ulcers
• Nausea
• High blood pressure
• Tremors
• Joint pain
• Cardio irregularities

Side Effects of CBD

We don’t have decades of study on CBD yet, compared with tobacco and nicotine. 

Here’s what we currently know. 

Side effects of CBD include: 

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Appetite suppression
• Fatigue

Sounds like nap time, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Vaping CBD vs. Nicotine

Now that vaping is a thing with the added benefits of not making your home reek like marijuana or cigarettes, we can isolate the effects of vaping only versus more traditional methods of consuming nicotine or CBD. Although more conventional methods of CBD consumption usually include THC too. 

The big difference is CBD is not addictive, unlike vaping nicotine. 

Vaping is thought to be healthier than smoking plant material. States are beginning to regulate what can go into a vape cartridge. 

Is CBD Better than Nicotine? 

The short answer? Yes. 

The long answer? It depends on how you define “better.” If you’re looking for a certain effect that nicotine has, which CBD does not, then nicotine better suits that purpose. However, for long-term health, based on what we know right now, CBD will be better for your health in the long run. 

Here’s a great way to look at this…

Is CBD Better Than Nicotine for Life Insurance? 

Yes!

The questions on life insurance medical questionnaires don’t ask about CBD. That means the underwriters at the life insurance company don’t consider CBD a material risk to your lifespan. 

All life insurance applications ask about tobacco use (except some guaranteed issue policies.)

Then your monthly rates might double. Yikes. 

That tells us that the life insurance companies have the numbers to back up their reasoning in charging way more for people who consume nicotine because they’re more likely to expire early than their CBD-smoking peers.  

On the other hand, life insurance companies treat THC differently, but you can read more about that here.

Conclusion

The most significant difference right now is in the number of long-term medical studies between CDB and nicotine. From what we know of the active ingredient in each, the negative side effects of nicotine outweigh the benefits.

Whereas the benefits of CBD are showing more potential in advancing medical science, particularly in pain relief.

How Marcan Insurance Can Help

Everyone deserves affordable life insurance, regardless of whether they smoke tobacco, cannabis, or CBD.

We track the changes in underwriting guidelines across life insurance companies to make sure that you get the best possible rates to cover you and your family’s life insurance needs.

Give us a call today with any questions at (888) 987-8447.