Most people first venture into cannabis consumption by smoking weed. However, vaping has quickly become a very popular method of getting the buzz that all weed lovers yearn for. The most obvious difference in smoking versus vaping is the way that the herb is heated.
While smoking weed heats cannabis by combustion, weed vaping uses convection or conduction to heat your herb. It heats a dry herb or flower to a specific temperature inside a vaporizer, which produces a stream of water vapor that you can inhale through a mouthpiece.
But a common question is asked when comparting the two…which is better for your health?
Is Vaping Healthier Than Smoking?
We all know at this point in time that smoking tobacco is harmful to your health (mostly due to the cancer-causing carcinogens that it contains). And while cannabis does contain far fewer additives and byproducts, smoking anything still produces tar and other unwanted byproducts which flow into your lungs, whether you’re using a bong, a pipe or a simple rolled joint.
While no conclusive evidence has been found, research has indicated that vaping weed is likely to be healthier than smoking it. The primary advantage of vaping is the fact that it avoids combustion. By not burning the herb, it prevents the creation of toxic byproducts.
Weed vaping can reduce the symptoms associated with smoking like coughing or wheezing, and it’s shown to cause less respiratory problems in cancer patients.
If you’re concerned about the potential health effects of vaping in particular, stick to actual herb rather than unlabeled or unlicensed cartridges (which can contain harmful additives), and choose a high-quality vaporizer. Vaping
What Are the Benefits of Vaping?
Many people choose to vape for health reasons, but there are other benefits to choosing a vaporizer. In most cases, it’s also much more discreet than smoking. It produces much less odor, and the water vapor that comes from the device dissipates quickly and doesn’t linger in the air as with smoking joints or blunts (which is a plus if you live in an apartment or are staying at a hotel).
While there’s less odor and smoke when you vape cannabis, you’ll actually taste more of the strain you’re trying. You can taste the terpenes and scents associated with your strain much more clearly when you use a vape. In addition, you can adjust the temperature of your vape.
Different conduction temperatures can change the effect of your cannabis, producing a more euphoric or mellower experience.
You can often get more out of your cannabis when you vape, and you can even use already-vaped bud or ABV to create edibles or teas. You can’t reuse the ash by-product of smoking. On the other hand, you do need to buy a vaporizer device. You’ll also want to make sure you have a good grinder on hand. A medium to fine grind is necessary to vape your cannabis.
Vaping produces a powerful, “clean” high, but some people find it less intense than that from smoking. There is a strong cost argument for vaping. While you have to buy a good-quality vape, vaping is far more efficient than smoking. You’re likely to save money on marijuana in the long term if you opt for vaping instead of smoking.
Is Smoking Still More Popular?
Yes. Despite these advantages, traditional combustion or smoking is still the most popular way to consume cannabis. It’s easy to roll a joint and smoke it at a moment’s notice, with no additional equipment or preparation. It can also be a social ritual in a way that weed vaping has not yet become.
In addition, many people enjoy the sudden, intense, euphoric high created by smoking weed.
If you’re interested in a less harmful way to consume marijuana or more discretion, vaping might be a great choice for you. Even if you’re a regular smoker, it couldn’t hurt to give vaping a try to test the effects and the flavor. There are so many great ways to enjoy marijuana, and it’s worth it to explore newer technologies.