Vaping has received a bad rap just now, but the dry herb vaporizer remains a safe alternative to smoking.

A dry herb vaporizer enables a customized experience with fewer carcinogens and improved flavor. All this comes in a discreet device that generally masks the smell. Here are the top five advantages of dry herb vaporizers.

1) No Burning of Plant Material

The burning and subsequent inhalation of any plant material is always unhealthy to some degree. Dry herb vaporizers help reduce exposure to the harmful carcinogens present in combusted cannabis. The reduction of this exposure to toxic compounds does not mean less potency.

In a study published by the University of California (2006), researchers found that when compared to smoking, “a smokeless cannabis-vaporizing device delivers the same levels of THC.” Patients who vape negate exposure to several harmful compounds, such as carbon monoxide (CO). Researchers commented that, “using CO as an indicator, there was virtually no exposure to harmful combustion products using the (dry herb) vaporizing device.”

One thing worth mentioning is that dry herb vaporizers come in two forms, namely conduction and convection vaporizers. Inferior vaporizers use conduction, something that involves direct contact between the flower and a heating coil, which often leads to burning. More modern vaporizers utilize convection heating, where there is no direct contact between the flower and the heating element. Essentially this means that the flower is ‘cooked’ by heated air. The beneficial compounds evaporate, but the plant material does not burn.

2) Dry Herb Vaporizers Mask the Scent

It’s not always appropriate to consume cannabis. In certain places, even in areas within legal jurisdictions, it’s sometimes necessary to keep a low profile. Some people find the smell of cannabis offensive. But, with a dry herb vaporizer, patients have the ideal way to medicate discreetly without offending others with the smell of burning herb.

An important tip is that patients medicating with a dry herb vaporizer should allow the chamber to cool between hits. When the chamber is warm, it produces thicker vape that leads to a more pungent smell. The more a patient uses the dry herb vaporizer, the more residue that builds up in the chamber. Regularly cleaning the chamber helps combat any lingering smell.

3) Vape Your Stash Sparingly

Flower lasts longer when it’s not burned at 1000°F. Many dry herb vaporizers enable the consumer to set the desired temperature, something that helps ensure minimal wastage. A dry herb vaporizer enables patients to medicate as required, making it ideal for those who require small doses frequently. This removes the temptation of consuming large amounts in one sitting and wasting medicine, as with a joint.

The benefits of dry herb vaporizers continue even after vaping. Smoked cannabis turns to ash once consumed, whereas vaped cannabis is lightly charred and often still contains many beneficial compounds. Known as “already vaped bud,” it is commonly used to make edibles, tinctures, or capsules.

4) Increased Efficiency and Bioavailability

The active compounds in cannabis are delicate. Any combustion during administration results in the loss of more than half of the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, before inhalation. Patients can also lose another fifteen to twenty percent as the flower burns between draws.

The lower temperatures used in vaping allow for the preservation of many beneficial compounds. As a result, the subsequent vapor is often more potent, allowing patients to utilize the full potential of the compounds, something that leads to financial savings over time.

An additional advantage that stems from this is customizing the experience. The temperature used dictates the intensity of the medicated effect. The higher the temperature, the more potent and faster-hitting the effect. This is because cannabinoids and terpenes all have different boiling points.

The memory-boosting terpene pinene evaporates at 311 degrees Fahrenheit, while linalool, the terpene that aids with sleep, anxiety, and pain evaporates at 388 degrees Fahrenheit. All of the major terpenes and cannabinoids interact with each other via what is known as the entourage effect. By vaping, patients can easily customize the experience and introduce higher or lesser quantities of a particular compound to help modulate the desired effect.

5) It’s Easier on the Lungs and Throat

Vaped cannabis is a lot healthier than the smoke produced through conventional combustion. With lower temperatures comes less throat irritation and a more pleasing experience.

A study published in the Harm Reduction Journal (2007), found that vaporizing cannabis can reduce respiratory problems otherwise experienced by smoking cannabis. The impact of a vaporizer was more significant as the amount of cannabis consumption increased.

In the study, “100 of 152 vaporizer users (65.8 percent) reported no respiratory problems.” But, researchers also noted a “significant” reaction between cannabis consumption and cigarette use as it pertains to respiratory health. They concluded that, “the use of a vaporizer predicted fewer respiratory symptoms even when age, sex, cigarette smoking, and the amount of cannabis used were taken into account.”

The combustion of dry herb results in less tar making its way into the lungs. Patients can achieve optimal benefits using a convection vaporizer unit. For discreet, portable, and safer administration of cannabis, dry herb vaporizers may well be the ideal companion for many patients.