How to Vape Cannabis Safely

Inhaling anything “artificial” can affect your lungs. That goes for smoking and vaping cannabis. It also goes for inhaling allergens, pollutants, and toxins in the “natural” environment. Your lungs are sensitive but resilient, too.

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy (Winter, 2015) observed, “The human lung did not evolve to inhale the byproducts of combustion efficiently. Smoking marijuana does not harm lung function as dramatically as smoking tobacco does.” The article also bemoaned the lack of long-term research.

Given the parallels between cannabis toking and cigarette smoking, an increasing number of people are vaping. They like the convenience and discretion. And, vaping offers a real alternative for those who just don’t like cigarette smoking or are weaning themselves from cigarettes’ nicotine addiction.

Still, vaping has drawbacks. It involves a delicate device producing heat. It uses fluids that may contain additives and toxins. So, if you want to vape for your pleasure or as a more acceptable way to treat medical conditions, you must consider how to vape cannabis safely.

Understanding vaping

Vaporization is an increasingly common way to consume cannabis. You can vape contents including nicotine, fruit flavors, and spice aromas. And, you can vape the active cannabinoids in cannabis.

The vaping mechanism heats the cannabis at low temperatures. There is no smoke because there is no burning, no combustion. Vapor appears in clouds, but it is not smoke.

A study by Dale Gieringer, Ph.D. asserts, “it is possible to vaporize medically active tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by heating marijuana to a temperature short of the point of combustion, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing potentially harmful smoke toxins that are normally present in marijuana smoke. Vaporizers may therefore substantially reduce what is widely regarded as the leading health concern associated with marijuana, namely respiratory harm due to smoking.”

Understanding the mechanism

A vaporizer is an electric device that comes in many forms. Vaporizers may resemble a cigarette or pen. They may be a handheld mod, the size of a pack of cigarettes. Or, it may be the size of a room vaporizer.

Typically, a battery heats an atomizer that vaporizes the contents or a chamber holding cannabis, concentrate, or pre-filled cartridge. There’s also a button to trigger the heat and a mouthpiece to inhale the vapor.

Vapers might be tough to draw on at the start. That means the effects will take longer to start but will last longer.

Choosing the right product for you

V2 Pro Series 3X Vaporizer Starter Kit is highly-rated vaper pen. Most pens handle one material, but the Series 3 takes dry herbs, e-juice, or wax. Long lasting rechargeable batteries and interchangeable cartridges save you money and reduce your learning curve.

It fits any pocket and is just a little thicker than a cigarette. It has a ceramic coil to deliver even and consistent heating triggered by variable voltage settings.

The Davinci IQ Vaporizer is as sleek and contemporary as they come. A completely self-contained innovation. With its 100 percent ceramic zirconia air path and high-quality materials, it delivers just pure flavor.

The LED technology displays four different temp settings. You select what you want, and it automatically delivers the flavor you want.

And, its ability to integrate with Bluetooth functionality. The smartphone app gives you full control of your vaping day. You can light it from your phone and monitor your usage and the longevity of the charge.

The Lost Vape Paranormal 166 is the best of the most common vaporizers. It fits firmly in the palm of your hand with a protruding mouthpiece to draw on. Long-lasting 18659 batteries and evolve NDA 250 chipset offer excellent vaping.

Paranormal continues to engineer and produce quality devices in terms of appearance and performance. 

SMOK GX350 TC is a classic box mod. The super thin design contains four 18650 batteries but fits nicely and comfortably in your palm. Still, it offers a complete set of temperature controls.

Its super tank offers a 24.5mm diameter with stainless steel and glass construction. It has a 6mL e-liquid capacity, a hinge and lock top fill system, and dual airflow control. 

The Volcano is the hallmark of quality in tabletop vaporizers, leading the market for ten years since its release. The fan at the base blows heated air over the herb to vaporize it. As it accumulates, it fills a bag you attach to the top.

You draw the cannabis-infused air from the bag for pure flavor and aroma. A powerful convection heating system delivers output with 95 percent of the cannabis compounds inserted. Its quality and reliability deliver potent care to medical patients with comfort and ease.

How to vape cannabis safely?

Vapers do not overdose, and they do not report lung damage or cancer. Research has found no causal connection or correlation. But, users may risk effects from additives and fault device operation.

• According to a contribution by Adrian Devitt-Lee to Project CBD, “Common additives in cannabis oil vape pens, such as Propylene Glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), can result in exposure to harmful carcinogenic compounds when heated and inhaled.”

Heat can trigger pesticides, PEG, and PG found in some fluids and some extracts. But, users can find products free of toxins and untested additives if they check detailed labels.   

• The devices that use lithium batteries have led to explosive accidents. The explosions result from heavy recharging, unsuitable charges, and bad design. Devices have caused burns and lacerations to lips and nose, serious eye damage, and fires in baggage and home.

And, various aviation agencies have restricted carrying these electronic devices and lithium batteries in checked-in baggage.

Vaping away

Vaping cannabis presents the same risks and side effects inherent in consuming cannabis under other forms. But, making vaping your preferred consumption is cleaner, easier, and safer than smoking cannabis.

There are relatively few incidents of device explosions. Users can avoid these incidents with quality devices and correct use. And, you can reduce the risk of additives and toxins with researched and attentive shopping.

For those looking to consume cannabis for medical therapy and those trying to break their nicotine habit, these risks may be worth it.