Vaporisation (or ‘vaping‘) is a method of consuming the active ingredients of cannabis – that is, without the aid of combustion, or the production of smoke. In the process of vaporisation, heat extracts the active ingredients into a fine vapour-mist, which is then inhaled.

Here are five significant benefits to vaporising your cannabis over smoking it. Carefully consider this list before reaching for that bong:

1. Proper Respiratory Functioning

Inhalation of any kind of smoke is less than desirable, and combustion of cannabis unfortunately means you’re consuming more than just cannabinoids. Over 100 toxins[1] can be released from cannabis when burned. Cannabis vaporisers are specifically designed with the intention of removing these harmful toxins. Moreover, people who vape cannabis generally perceive it to benefit their health over smoking. Recent surveys indicated that people found it safer and less harmful than combustion. [2]

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But what do researchers and specialists say? Do these devices actually help improve health outcomes in cannabis users? Do they reduce the ingestion of ammonia, tar and other carcinogens?

While there is very little peer-reviewed research on the topic, studies over the years show that vaping produces less carcinogenic compounds than smoking.[3] Another study comparing smoking to vaporisation (based upon self-reporting of symptoms) indicated fewer negative respiratory effects with vaping.[4]

Smokers are statistically more prone to respiratory infections and bronchitis than the regular population. Many medical marijuana patients experience severe respiratory complications and irritations, which may threaten the effectiveness of their treatment. Yet it’s clear that the issue is not the active cannabinoids, but the smoke that contains them. If you want to keep your lungs pristine, be sure to pick up a vaporiser – from all accounts, it helps a lot.

2. Clear Cognitive Functioning

Some say that vapes produce a cleaner and more clear-headed high, since smoke is not inhaled. However, there are very few studies to back up the claim that vaping and smoking create different highs.

As such, we are primarily relying upon firsthand accounts here when we say that the high is qualitatively different… but there is some data from an early study of 18 subjects, where each either smoked or vaped one of three different strengths of THC (1.7, 3.4 of 6.8 percent), followed by measurements of delta-9-THC in blood and carbon monoxide in expired air.

While blood levels did not vary significantly, expired carbon monoxide was greatly reduced when vaporisation was utilised over combustion.[3]

3. Comparable Cannabinoid Uptake

Research from Leiden University shows that “…the final pulmonal uptake of THC is comparable to the smoking of cannabis, whil[st] avoiding the respiratory disadvantages of smoking.” This is a pretty significant finding, because it shows that there isn’t really much of a downside to vaping your weed – with only benefits to your health and wellbeing.

…that is, if you aren’t wedded to smashing cones.

4. Vaping is Discrete

Cannabis vapour is a lot less rank than the thick smoke that combustion produces, meaning that it’s much more suitable for a public setting. Visually, it can also be difficult at first glance to discriminate between an e-cig and a cannabis vape. There are many highly compact vaporisers on the market; with a vape, you can get away with smoking cannabis just about anywhere on the go.

5. The Taste!

Cannabis vapour provides a more direct access to the essential oils, without the tar or burnt plant matter to worry about. A vaporiser can help one appreciate the myriad phenotypes and terpenoids that help characterise the unique qualities of cannabis.

Thanks to the aid of vaporisation technologies, the many nuances of the plant have now become immediately palpable to our olfactory senses. So, pick up a vaporiser, and savour cannabis in its full glory.

See also: 10 Reasons to Ditch the Bong and Start Vaping

Sources Cited –

[1] http://www.canorml.org/healthfacts/jcantgieringervapor.pdf

[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4745650/pdf/nihms-750346.pdf

[3] https://www.leafly.com/news/health/vaping-vs-smoking-marijuana-safety

[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17437626

https://www.thekindland.com/wellness/why-vaping-weed-is-healthier-than-smoking-it-according-to-2753