What is smoking, is vaping the same as vaping, and what equipment do I need to vape?
Don’t worry, we’ve all asked ourselves these questions. That’s why we want to explain what smoking, vaporising and vaping are. It sounds like the same thing but it is not, so pay attention.
1.- Smoking (combustion)
In the world of cannabis, the most widely used and well-known method of consumption is inhalation through the combustion of its flowers and/or resins in pipes or cigarettes rolled up with rolling papers (commonly known as a joint).
This method consists of applying a direct heat source to ignite the cannabis and force a release of its essential oils in the form of smoke, which is then inhaled. When this smoke reaches the lungs, the plant’s active components are released into the lungs. enter directly into the bloodstream causing their effects to be felt within seconds, usually peaking within half an hour of consumption.
As we can see, it is a method that aims for speed in the appearance of effects, but due to the aggressive nature of the extraction of the oils, reaching extremely high temperatures (over 230°C), it carries with it by-products created as a result of such extreme decarboxylation, most of which leave residues such as tars and degrade the effectiveness and potency of the product, making it a fast method but with a high risk to the health of the consumer.
And why, if it is harmful and less effective than other methods, is it the most widely used?
There are several answers: habit, ease, socialisation around the joint, the ritual of rolling, which is particular to each consumer,… etc.
For whatever reason, people smoke. But not everyone smokes in the same way. In Spain, the traditional joint consisted of hashish or marijuana mixed with tobacco. Nowadays, many people only use cannabis without relying on other plants for combustion. And for them there are instruments created for the occasion: bongs, glass pipes, blind pipes ….
2.- Vaporisation
When the debates on the medicinal uses of cannabis began, the idea of prescribing joints to patients was totally delirious and criticised by social sectors opposed to the consumption of the plant. And although it later came to pass and joints and buds were eventually sold for smoking in the pharmaceutical circuit, doctors were not clear that this method of consumption was the most advisable from the point of view of health. No one wanted to prescribe White Widow joints to treat fibromyalgia and have the patient in question develop lung cancer.
Tinctures existed as an alternative, with the disadvantage that the onset of the effects was more delayed and prolonged than through inhalation. But an effective and quick remedy was needed, so they began to look at devices created by some consumers that curiously resembled some manufactured by primitive tribes that consisted of applying heat to the substance in a non-direct way. Thus began the expansion of the use of herbal vaporisers. Doctors found through studies that this method allowed for a more controlled and less degraded extraction of the active ingredients and did not release so many by-products and residues from combustion, making it an effective way to reduce the risks associated with consumption.
The product of this heating is vapour, with a lower temperature (always below 230°) but with a higher efficiency than combustion. A very small dose delivers the same amount as a whole joint, so you don’t need to consume as much.
By not burning the cannabis, the flavour is full, respecting the aroma that can be perceived from the bud. There are many devices, both electronic and manual, with which to vaporise cannabis.
Electric ones are usually expensive (if they are of high quality), fast and offer precise temperature control.
Manuals are usually more transportable, small and not very precise in temperature control (it is up to the user to find the optimum point to produce the desired steam without combustion).
These devices can also be differentiated by the way they heat the material.
- convection: involves heating a flow of air through the material to cause the essential oils to evaporate. This method gives the best flavour, but the associated technique for consumption depends on the airflow that the user can create.
- conduction: the walls of a filling chamber where the cannabis is deposited are heated. Although the cannabis is in contact with the hot walls, the temperature does not cause combustion. The degradation is faster in this method, although it is effective and causes denser vapor clouds.
- hybrids: use the two previously mentioned systems to bring the best of both to create a more powerful and satisfying extraction.
And which vaporizer to use? The one that suits your needs. Obviously if your use is therapeutic you should opt for the one that offers health guarantees such as no degradation of the heated materials, the passage of air completely isolated from the circuitry, extraction efficiency….
3.- Vaping
From around 2010 onwards, electronic cigarettes began to be marketed worldwide. Initially designed for nicotine users, they work by heating a liquid, mainly composed of propylene glycol and glycerine in which flavourings and nicotine are diluted, with a battery-operated heating element.
The result is a vapour that is similar in appearance to smoke, allowing the user to enjoy an experience similar in appearance to combustion but reducing the risks associated with combustion as there is no combustion.
It was not long before the cannabis industry took notice of these nicotine dispensers. Their small size, ease of use and effectiveness could work with cannabis, but the problem was that the dilutions for electronic cigarettes were soluble in water and not the ideal mixture to keep their active ingredients in suspension.
The well-known liquidisers appeared on the market, consisting of propylene glycol (pv) mixtures that diluted non-solid cannabis extracts, allowing them to be used in these devices. However, when diluted, potency was reduced and components such as peg-400 have been infamous for their use in the production of plastics and the creation of by-products through heating. In addition, the cannabis consumer has always asked that the substance not be cut with external components, and in this case they come from petroleum.
The commercialisation of terpenes, molecules with a cannabis smell and taste, which allow changing the state of the non-solid concentrate by making it more liquid but without diluting it, has appeared. Terpenes are very irritating and are therefore not recommended to exceed 10%.
A few years ago, deaths associated with vaping cannabis-infused cartridges occurred in the US. These cartridges came from states where cannabis was not regulated and contained vitamin E acetate and MCTs.
Vitamin E acetate is lethal if inhaled, while mct is a medium chain triglyceride vegetable oil and is not considered a vape product and is not recognised as such by any administration.
These deaths were caused by the inhalation of vitamin E but in no case by cannabis or terpenes.
Right now on the market you can find 2 types of vapes:
- cartridges: disposable with 510 thread, with ceramic resistance of about 1.2 ohm, with capacities between 0.5, 1 and 2 ml.
- disposable devices: non-refillable, disposable vape devices with ceramic heating element.
The mixes you can find are:
- concentrates (distillates) + terpenes: much more concentrated and offer a potent effect.
- concentrates (e-liquids) +Pg +Vg: very diluted and cheap.
So you know, whatever method you decide on, at least know and research what you consume.
*We have left out of this article the method known as dabbing or dabeo because although it is a type of vaporisation, it involves other devices and techniques that are better dealt with in a single article, we look forward to seeing you in the next post!
