Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8 THC) is a cannabinoid that has grown popular for producing a milder psychoactive effect than its close relative, Delta-9 THC. This compound is often sold in pre-filled cartridges designed for vaporization, which involves heating the oil to create an inhalable vapor. The question of whether the oil inside a Delta-8 vape cart can be safely consumed by mouth is a frequent query. While the cannabinoid itself is active and can be ingested, the final formulation of oil intended for inhalation differs significantly from one designed for oral consumption, introducing safety and efficacy concerns.
Compositional Differences Between Vaping Oil and Edible Oil
Oils formulated for vaping and those for traditional edibles have distinct chemical compositions driven by their intended delivery methods. Edible oils, such as those used in tinctures, typically rely on food-grade carrier oils like Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT) or olive oil, which are easily digested. Vape cartridge oils must be engineered to have a specific viscosity that allows them to be properly vaporized by the heating coil without burning.
To achieve this ideal consistency, Delta-8 distillates are often mixed with thinning or diluting agents that are not usually found in food products. These agents include compounds such as Propylene Glycol (PG) or Vegetable Glycerin (VG). Some manufacturers may also use specific terpenes or other proprietary diluents to adjust the oil’s flow rate.
A crucial difference is the process of decarboxylation. Delta-8 oil in a vape cartridge is already decarboxylated, meaning the compound is in its active form and ready to produce effects when consumed orally. This process is necessary because unactivated cannabinoid acids can crystallize and clog the atomizer. Although the Delta-8 is active, the presence of non-food-grade additives makes ingesting the entire vape oil formulation a significant concern.
Safety Risks of Ingesting Vape Cart Additives
The primary danger in consuming vape cartridge oil comes from the additives and cutting agents included to optimize the oil for inhalation. While many of these substances are considered safe for consumption in small amounts or when used in food products, their high concentration and specific chemical nature in vape oil can pose a risk to the digestive system. The body processes inhaled compounds differently than ingested compounds, meaning a substance safe for the lungs may be irritating to the stomach and intestines, and vice versa.
Common thinning agents like Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin are generally recognized as safe for ingestion by the FDA, but the concentrated amounts found in vape oil are not intended to be swallowed directly. Ingesting these concentrated compounds can lead to gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
More concerning are specific cutting agents used in the past, such as Vitamin E Acetate, which was linked to the Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak. The presence of such compounds highlights the risk of consuming formulations optimized for inhalation. The lack of strict, standardized regulation means a user cannot be certain what specific non-cannabinoid ingredients are present. Furthermore, a vape cart contains a highly concentrated form of Delta-8 distillate and additives, which can overwhelm the digestive system when consumed in a single, unmeasured dose.
Delta-8 THC Effectiveness When Swallowed
Ingesting Delta-8 oil from a vape cartridge results in a fundamentally different and less efficient psychoactive experience than vaping or consuming a professionally formulated edible. The effectiveness of any orally consumed cannabinoid is governed by its bioavailability, which is the fraction of the compound that enters the bloodstream to produce an effect.
When Delta-8 is swallowed, it must pass through the digestive system and be metabolized by the liver before it reaches the bloodstream. This process, known as first-pass metabolism, significantly reduces the amount of Delta-8 that ultimately enters the systemic circulation, giving oral consumption a low bioavailability, typically ranging from 4% to 20%. This is notably less efficient than the bioavailability commonly associated with inhalation.
Although the liver converts some of the Delta-8 into a more potent metabolite, 11-hydroxy-THC, the overall absorption is highly variable and inefficient compared to direct inhalation.
The onset of effects is also drastically delayed after ingesting vape oil, usually taking between one and three hours for the feeling to peak. This slow and unpredictable onset time can lead to overconsumption if a user mistakenly believes the initial dose was ineffective and takes more. Ultimately, while the Delta-8 in the cart is chemically active for ingestion, the non-emulsified, concentrated nature of the oil means the resulting psychoactive experience will be inefficient, delayed, and difficult to dose accurately.