Everything you want to know about vaporization
What is vaporization?
Vaping can be characterised as the process of inhaling and exhaling vapour created by an electrical device heating a material. This can be herbs, cannabis flowers, oils and concentrates. There is no combustion when the material is heated and converted into vapour.
Risks of smoking
Vaporising cannabis and smoking are two ways of using cannabis that differ in the way the active substances enter the body. Inhaling the smoke exposes users to dangerous substances such as carbon monoxide, nitrosamines and other volatile organic compounds. It is the high levels of these hazardous substances that concern human health experts the most. Vaping is therefore an increasingly popular alternative, which many scientists believe is less harmful to health than conventional cigarettes.
Smoking has a rapid onset in terms of effects, as the necessary substances are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and then into the brain. However, burning cannabis can have negative effects on the lungs, especially in people who smoke regularly.
Studies show that burning tobacco releases more than 7 000 substances, some of which are considered carcinogenic, and therefore this activity is also associated with an increased risk of stroke and other health complications. Experts say smoking has a negative effect on:
- Hair
- Lungs
- Skin
- Digestive system
- Brain
- Blood vessels
- Heart
- Teeth
- Fertility
Risks of vaping
Unlike smoking, vaporisation does not involve combustion, but the material (herbs, extracts) is heated to a temperature that activates the active substances and converts them into vapour, which contain cannabinoids and aromatics from the cannabis plant, but without the harmful substances produced by combustion.
This method may be more lung-friendly because the user does not inhale smoke with toxic substances.
Advantages of cannabis vaporisation compared to smoking:
- Greener to human health
- More pleasant smell
- Greater discretion
- The taste and intensity of the vapour can be individually adjusted
- Does not leave an unpleasant odour on clothing or in the living space
Vaporisation and smoking have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice between these methods depends on the user's personal preferences and priorities. However, research suggests that vaporisation may be a more environmentally friendly alternative for many users.
On the other hand, it should be mentioned that there are an increasing number of studies that address the safety of vaping and some come with negative conclusions. A study published in the journal Radiology points out that vaping affects blood vessel function even in healthy people. According to the American Heart Association, vaping is not good for the heart either.
The importance of temperature when vaping
The temperature you set when vaping largely determines what you end up inhaling. The effects are influenced by the strains and the amount of cannabinoids and terpenes. These substances have different evaporation points and the temperature at which you vape determines the properties and flavour of the herb.
The ideal temperature for extracting the wide range of substances represented is 185°C and the optimal temperature range for cannabinoids is between 180-210°C. Temperatures below 190 °C have a stronger effect on the psyche, while higher temperatures have an effect on the body.
What can you vape?
- Liquid
- Oils
- Waxes and concentrates
- Dry herbs
An overview of the different types of vaporizers and their advantages
Vaporizers are popular due to their efficiency and ease of use. There are several types of vaporizers, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. A vaporizer uses a stream of hot air to extract the active ingredients from the plant material, and the vapor produced is tar-free. This process does not burn the herb. Therefore, no ash is produced after vaporization.
You can find desktop vaporizers, portable vaporizers and vaporizer pens.
Vaporizer pens
A vaporizer pen is a small portable device that uses a battery with a heating element to create vapor. Vaporizer pens are widely used today for the use of cannabinoids such as CBD, HHC, H4CBD and others.
Vaporizer pens offer a design advantage over larger and more powerful devices. Because they are very slim and tiny, they are easy to handle. They are especially popular with people who want or need to use the device all day long.
Portable vaporizers
Portable vaporizers are usually bulkier than vaporizer pens. This is because they need a larger heating chamber into which the dry herb is placed. Most are rechargeable, but you can also find portable vaporizers that run on butane or fire. Although these devices are usually designed for dry herb, some models have attachments for e-liquids.
Desktop vaporizers
Unlike pocket vaporizers and other portable devices, tabletop vaporizers are designed to be used in one location, as they are typically larger in size and require plugging into an electrical outlet. These devices are designed for home and medical use. They are ideal for those who want to inhale mainly at home.
Vaporizer heating technology
In relation to vaporizers, the heating technologies that need to be mentioned are conduction and convection. The style of the heated chamber affects the vaping experience.
Conduction means heating the herb by direct contact with a heat source. Conduction vaporizers are generally cheaper and have the advantage of allowing you to create a sufficient amount of vapor from the first inhale.
Convection is the heating of material by hot air blown over a heating element. Convection vaporizers tend to be more efficient and produce better quality and tastier vapour.
Vaping without nicotine
Nicotine-free vaping is a way for many people to reduce or eliminate their addiction to conventional cigarettes and move towards a "healthier lifestyle".
Nicotine increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and causes a range of respiratory problems. For women, it increases the risk of miscarriage or premature abortion, as studies have shown. It is a stimulant drug that speeds up the transmission of messages travelling between the brain and the body. Tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars commonly contain nicotine.
Nowadays, however, you have a choice and can vape without nicotine, just choose liquids containing cannabinoids such as CBD, HHC or H4CBD.
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