The Difference Between Smoking And Vaporizing Weed
Published: June 7th, 2017
Categories:
Cannabis Info
Vaporizing or Smoking Cannabis - The Significant Differences
Vaporizers are on the rise. Many question the old-school methodology of smoking spliffs and joints. The health benefits of vaporizing marijuana as opposed to smoking joints are evident. Ten years ago, barely anybody was vaporizing weed. Now, it has become somewhat of a craze. Joints and spliffs shall remain in our beloved smoke circles for the foreseeable future, although vapes are taking over.
THE HEALTH ASPECT
The main difference between burning and vaporizing marijuana is the difference in the emitted compounds. There are hundreds of compounds in marijuana, which have a different flash point. Cannabis is subjected to much higher temperatures in burning joints, as opposed to the temperatures of a vaporizer. Therefore, more components will be emitted from a joint. Now, is that a good thing?
Not exactly. The desired cannabinoids and terpenes retained in our beloved Mary Jane are vaporized at around 170℃. Because joints burn at much higher temperatures, many other compounds will be emitted together with the cannabinoids and terpenes. When the weed burns in a joint, the chemical bonds between organic molecules and carbon atoms are broken apart. This generates something called “free radicals”. These components create various harmful toxins. From a joint, 88% of the compounds that are released into the smoke, are not cannabinoids. Regular smoke whether from weed or tobacco creates tar in the lungs. This causes many health problems such as bronchitis or lung cancer in the long run, and ain’t nobody got time for that.
Vaporizers, on the other hand, are much healthier. They include special temperature settings. Most vaporizers aim at heating the herb at around 170℃. This allows the weed to release the desired compounds whilst retaining the harmful substances. If the weed is vaporized at the correct temperatures, 95% of the smoke comprises cannabinoids. The difference is humongous.
Vaporizers release approximately 46% of THC from the weed, while regular joints convert about 25%. Joints burn off the cannabinoids even if it’s not inhaled. Basically, 30% of the ganja disappears into thin air. Vaporizers, on the other hand, only emit what's being inhaled, which saves on the cost of weed.
THE ECONOMICAL BENEFIT OF VAPING
Let’s immerse ourselves in ganja mathematics. If 100€ worth of weed is being smoked per month, in joint format, and one saves 30% of the weed from vaporizing, one saves 30€ a month from weed purchases. Within 10 months, one saves 300€, which is the cost of the most exclusive high-class vaporizers (of course, there are cheaper ones, that work just as well). Basically, vaporizers pay for themselves, depending on one's weed consumption rates.
STEALTH AND FLAVOR
The great thing about vaporizing weed is the stealth. Smoking a joint exudes a very distinguishable weed smell, which sticks to one’s clothes and fingers. Vaporized weed disappears much faster into the air, and it doesn’t have that “tar-like" quality to it. It’s much fresher.
The taste of ganja is much clearer from vapes, one can really taste the delicious terpene profiles and the unique ganja genetics. The highs feel much more uplifting rather than heavy on the body. It’s like a refreshing psychedelic experience.
There are various vaporizers out there. Today, we can see loads of people walking around with their vaporizer pens. Some of these pens are specialized for dry herbs, some for concentrates, some for both. There's a big market for vaporizers, one can find anything from the Volcano to bong vapes.
There’s no reason to hesitate. It’s much better for one’s health and the highs are spectacular. Of course, one needs to speak to a healthcare professional before deciding to use vaporizing methods for medical use.
