The Benefits Of Vaporizing Cannabis
Vaporizing has come to the forefront of the scene as a healthy alternative to smoking, providing many ways for cannabis consumers to get a taste of the herb without the dangers that come with combustion. This new, clean way of getting high has attracted many across the world and for some very valid reasons. This article explores the benefits of vaporizing cannabis in its different forms to help you decide whether it might worth a try.
How Do Vaporizers Work?
Put simply, vaporizers are devices that can heat up your cannabis to the point where oils in the trichomes begin to evaporate. This happens before the combustion point and allows the consumer inhale only cannabinoids and terpenes. Most vaporizers have a temperature setting to make this possible. Cannabinoids begin to vaporize at around 140°C.
The burning process creates new chemical compounds in the smoke which can be toxic for the body.
Normally, we get high by burning cannabis to release the active compounds in the plant. The smoke is inhaled and our lungs absorb the chemicals. The problem with combustion is that it is not necessary to heat the cannabis to such temperatures in order to benefit from the resin glands.
Is Vaporizing Cannabis Safe?
This really depends on the product you are vaporizing, as well as the quality of the vaporizer itself. Vaporizing cannabis tends to be safer than e-cigarette liquids because in most cases it does not contain other potentially harmful additives (such as Vitamin E acetate) apart from the cannabis oil itself. This is why it's important to check the quality and aim for 100% pure cannabis products where possible.
On the topic of vaporizer quality, it's best to invest in a certified and tested brand. There is the theory that poor quality vaporizers can leech toxic metals into the vapor as the coil inside heats up.
The Benefits of Vaporizing Cannabis
Since they have become more efficient, affordable and portable, many smokers have made the change and started using vaporizers to consume their favourite cannabis. To give you some food for thought, here are 10 benefits of vaporizing cannabis:
Easy To Use - Most vaporizers have been designed to be 'plug and play', meaning they are extremely easy to use. These days, they usually come with a USB charging cable (battery) or plug into the mains. Pen-style vaporizers can simply be charged, filled with herb and with the push of a button, the cannabis oils begin to vaporize.
Discreet - There are still plenty of places in the world where cannabis is illegal or seriously frowned upon. Vaped cannabis does not smell or produce smoke, and is not obvious like rolling a joint or setting up a bong is. Unless you are consuming cannabis in your home or a private space, having discretion can be a huge positive for many.
Healthier Than Smoking - There have been numerous studies on the topic of vaping vs smoking and without a doubt vaporizing wins. Although not 100% safe, vaporizing massively reduces the amount of bad chemicals that enter the body through smoking.
Portable - Vaporizers come in different sizes and some are now as small as a cigarette, making them highly portable. Battery-powered vaporizers can be used on the go and can last for many hours before needing a recharge. Like e-cigarettes, there are many designs to choose from that are small enough to fit in your pocket or bag.
Improved Flavour - Heating weed too quickly can cause terpenes to break down too quickly, which reduces flavour. Because a vaporizer only heats cannabis to a point where the cannabinoids and terpenes vaporize, more terpenes end up in the vapor and the resulting flavour is a lot richer and truer to what the plant actually tastes like.
Less Cannabis Needed To Get High - Due to the effectiveness of vaporizing, more THC is delivered through the vapor. Studies suggest that up to 95% of the vapor produced by a vaporizer consists of cannabinoids and terpenes. For smoke, roughly 80% is made up of non-cannabinoid compounds. That's quite a big difference.
Cleaner Experience - The lack of chemicals reduces the possibility of uncomfortable feelings such as nausea or fatigue. The high produced by vaping cannabis tends to be cleaner because THC and other cannabinoids make up the larger part of the vapour. Remember, always aim for high quality products you can be sure are chemical-free.
More Control - Burning weed makes it difficult to measure how much you are consuming and it actually wastes a fair bit. Being able to accurately adjust the temperature allows users to dose more consistently. The weed can be heated to temperatures just below combustion point, meaning the user can benefit from the full terpene profile presented by the plant.
Saves Money - As we mentioned in one of our earlier points, less weed is needed to get high with vaping, which will gradually save you money over time especially if you consume a lot of cannabis. Although the vaporizer requires an initial investment, this can soon pay for itself as you no longer need to buy rolling papers, lighters or tobacco (if you do use it).
Vaporized Cannabis Can Be Reused - Collecting your vaped weed and storing it in an airtight jar until you have a small amount built up gives you the possibility to squeeze a bit more juice out of your buds (mostly CBN), as it can still contain some cannabinoid compounds. For example, the leftover weed can be processed into butter for use in edibles.
Different Ways To Vaporize Cannabis
There are many types of vaporizer designed for vaping cannabis, and some are specifically for flowers, while others are geared for consuming hash, extracts and concentrates.
Some vaporizers have multi-functions and can be customized, so check before you buy to see if it is suitable for the cannabis product your plan to vape. Be sure to check the temperature specifications and how adjustable it is.
- Oil Vaporizers - These are for cannabis extracts with an oily consistency. They normally feature a refillable or disposable cartridge which also contains a coil that heats up the oil.
- Wax Vaporizers - A sophisticated piece of equipment such as a dabbing rig (bong style apparatus), although small, electronic portable versions can also be purchased. Wax tends to be thicker than oil and needs higher temperatures to vaporize.
- Bag/Desktop Vaporizers - Usually mains powered. Products such as the Volcano which uses bags to collect the vapor, or whip style vaporizers (similar to a hookah with a inhalation tube).
- Portable/Handheld - Pen-style vapes and regular handheld devices. Ideal for on the go and those looking for a discreet way to vape.
Once you've found your preferred way of vaping cannabis you'll be able to start seeing the effects in the long term. It may be a tricky switch if you grew up only smoking joints or bongs, but as we've seen here, there are plenty of benefits to doing so.
For those who have never consumed cannabis before but are considering it, remember that vaping is there and can be as good, if not better than the experience of smoking.
If you found this article useful or have any tips on the topic of vaporizing cannabis, please share your thoughts down in the comments section, we'd love to hear from you!
External References
Case studies in cannabis vaporization. Addiction Research and Theory. - Earleywine, Mitch & Van Dam, Nicholas. (2010).
Cannabis “Vaporization”. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics. - Gieringer, Dale. (2001).
Heavy Metal Contaminants from Cannabis Vaporizer Cartridges: Valid Concern or Blowing Smoke? - Afia, Ini & Weltman, Robert & Boyar, Kyle. (2019).
Medicinal Cannabis: In Vitro Validation of Vaporizers for the Smoke-Free Inhalation of Cannabis. - Lanz, C., Mattsson, J., Soydaner, U., & Brenneisen, R. (2016).
Disclaimer: This article does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
This article was updated January 2021.
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