Aerosol

Definition: An aerosol is a suspension of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas, such as mist, smoke, or spray. In cannabis, the term matters because what comes out of a vape pen is technically an aerosol, not a true vapor, which is why scientists study what particles and chemicals it carries into the lungs.

Is Vape “Vapor” Really an Aerosol?

Yes. A true vapor is a gas. When a vape pen heats cannabis oil, much of it cools into microscopic droplets suspended in air. That aerosol can carry cannabinoids, terpenes, and, in poorly made or illicit products, additives or contaminants. The CDC linked the 2019 EVALI lung injury outbreak to vitamin E acetate inhaled in aerosol from illicit THC cartridges.

What Are Aerosol Medications?

Aerosol medications deliver medicine directly to the lungs as a fine mist, using metered-dose inhalers or nebulizers. They’re standard treatments for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The FDA has not approved any inhaled cannabis medicine.

An example of an aerosol (inhaler)

Why Does Particle Size Matter?

The smaller the particles, the deeper they travel into the lungs. That’s useful for inhaled medicine but also means contaminants in vape aerosol can reach deep lung tissue, which is why lab testing and quality hardware matter.

Related terms: Vape Pen, Atomizer, Oil Vaporizer, Dry Herb

Sources: CDC: Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products; FDA: Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products.