What are Cutting Agents and Why the Many Brands We Carry Don’t Use Them in Their Vape Products?

Are you a huge hemp vaping fanatic? If so, then you know that not all cannabinoid-infused vape oils are crafted equally. You see, one of the biggest things to look at before buying a vaping product, whether it be a vape cart or a disposable, is the ingredients. How come? Well, because you might be surprised by how many companies actually put cutting agents in their vape oils.

Many of us vaguely know that cutting agents can take away from the quality of a hemp vape, but don’t recognize exactly why that’s the case, or what kinds of cutting agents to watch out for. Essentially, when shopping at The Calm Leaf, you never have to worry, since the vaping products sold by numerous brands contain strictly pure hemp.

What Exactly is a ‘Cutting Agent’?

A cutting agent is any ingredient that dilutes the active ingredient in a product – in the case of vapes, a cutting agent dilutes the hemp extract(s). Almost all vapes contain a combination of cannabinoid distillate and terpene extracts, with the latter allowing us to try out different strains.

What are the Most Common Cutting Agents Found in Some Vaping Products?

Before we cover why cutting agents should generally be avoided, let’s go over the most common cutting agents found in hemp-infused vapes, as this should then give you a better idea of their overall impact when it comes to your vaping sessions.

#1: MCT Oil

MCT oil is a derivative of coconuts that may be found in some vape oils, and is much more commonly found in tinctures, acting as the carrier oil. MCT oil is not inherently a “bad” ingredient. It’s all-natural, and even is used by many people as a healthy fat source.

#2: PG (Propylene Glycol)

Propylene glycol is an alcohol derivative that is found in all kinds of products, including personal care products and processed foods. PG is also used in nicotine-based vapes. It’s a relatively thin liquid that contributes to giving nicotine-based vapes the ideal consistency to properly vaporize.

#3: VG (Vegetable Glycerin)

Vegetable glycerin is a common cutting agent that has a high viscosity, which helps thicken up a vape oil and the resulting vapor. VG, like PG, is used in nicotine-based vaping products, and like PG, it’s found in many common household items.

#4: Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a cutting agent that is used very rarely, and you’ll only really find it used in black market vaping products. That’s because using Vitamin E as a cutting agent is extremely dangerous, since it can cause serious respiratory harm to the vapor.

What Purpose Do Cutting Agents Actually Serve?

Essentially, a cutting agent can serve more than one purpose. They’re often used as dilution agents, better known by many as “fillers”, and what this does is water down the product so that the company can get away with using less hemp in their vape oil formulas. This brings down the potency of the product, as well as the quality, since you’re getting less of the ingredient you’re actually using the product for.

However, sometimes cutting agents do serve a purpose. Most of us vape cannabinoids like delta 8, delta 10, THC-O, THC-P, THCV, THCB, HHC, and so on, through a pre-filled cartridge or a disposable vape pen. But then, some companies make bottled vape oils that are meant to be used with the more high-powered vaping setups that we associate with nicotine vaping. In that case, the cutting agents above aren’t used just to dilute the product, but to change the consistency of the vape oil to make it more compatible with the high wattages of these more advanced devices – basically, acting as a buffer to prevent the hemp compounds from burning.

So, How Come The Brands We Carry Never Uses Cutting Agents Then?

Well, basically, when it comes to hemp-based vape cartridges and disposable vape pens, there is just no need whatsoever for cutting agents. When shopping on our site, you will never, ever find cutting agents in any of their products. Now, here’s the part where you might be wonder, “how does this benefit you, the customer?”

Benefit #1: 100% Purity

Because our vapes are free of cutting agents, you will enjoy a 100% purity level. In other words, just know you’re vaping compounds from the hemp plant, extracted through clean methods so that you aren’t getting any additives or impurities of any kind. This is a huge marker of quality, and we are proud to work with manufacturers that maintain such high quality standards.

Benefit #2: No Allergens

Some people are allergic to either MCT oil, PG, or VG, with many users not even knowing it until they vape these ingredients. Obviously, we don’t want any of our customers to ever experience an allergic reaction, and that’s one reason why you will never find known allergens in any product sold on our site.

Benefit #3: Better Potency

Cutting agents also bring down the potency of a vape. For instance, that 1ml cartridge made without additives contains about 1000mg of pure hemp, which comes out to approximately 10mg of hemp per puff. But, if there are cutting agents in the formula, you’re getting less than 10mg per puff. What does this mean? Well, you have to vape more to achieve the effect(s) that you’re looking for.

Only 100% Hemp Vapes Can Be Found at The Calm Leaf

At the end of the day, cutting agents should be avoided at all costs. Even if the ingredients are not inherently harmful, they still bring down the quality and the potency of your vaping products. Luckily by simply purchase vapes at The Calm Leaf, again you will know that you’re vaping only the most purest and freshest hemp compounds available in our industry today!