A cannabis vape cartridge, often called a “weed cart,” is a container pre-filled with concentrated cannabis oil designed to be heated and inhaled as a vapor. The definitive answer to whether they contain calories is no; they do not contribute meaningful calories to your daily intake. This is because the primary components offer negligible energy, and the consumption mechanism bypasses the body’s calorie-metabolizing system.
Caloric Density of Vape Oil Components
The substance inside a cannabis vape cartridge is a highly concentrated oil or distillate, primarily composed of cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These active compounds are consumed in such minute quantities per inhalation that their caloric density is negligible in the context of human nutrition. Cannabinoids do not contain the significant macronutrients—fats, proteins, or carbohydrates—that the body uses to generate energy.
Terpenes, the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinct scent and flavor, are also present in the oil. Like cannabinoids, terpenes are not considered a source of dietary energy and are present in trace amounts, adding no measurable calories.
How Vaping Affects Calorie Absorption
The fundamental reason cannabis carts do not contribute to caloric intake lies in the process of inhalation versus digestion. A calorie is a unit of energy that the body metabolizes only when compounds are broken down by the digestive system. Ingestion, where food passes through the stomach and intestines, allows the body to extract energy from macronutrients.
When you vape, the cannabis oil is heated into an aerosol and inhaled directly into the lungs. The active compounds move from the lungs into the bloodstream, bypassing the entire digestive tract. Since the lungs are designed for gas exchange and not for metabolizing complex energy sources, no calories are extracted from the vaporized oil.
Potential Trace Calories from Additives
Some cannabis vape oils may contain thinning agents or carrier oils, although modern, high-quality cartridges increasingly avoid them. Historically, agents like Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), or Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil were sometimes used to improve oil consistency.
These substances technically possess caloric value; for instance, VG contains about four calories per gram if consumed orally. However, the amount of these additives inhaled in a single puff is extremely small, typically less than five milligrams of liquid. Even with heavy, all-day use, the total amount inhaled would contribute far less than one calorie. This trace amount is physiologically insignificant and has no practical impact on daily caloric intake or weight management goals.