How to Choose a Vaporizer: Vaporizer high or Smoking high?
During my research, I noticed that many articles I read about this topic include a lot of scientific details that may not be necessary for someone who casually smokes. Therefore, I will focus on providing straightforward information without going into unnecessary specifics.
One common question among marijuana smokers, especially those who incorporate weed into their lifestyle, is whether the high from using a vaporizer is different from the high achieved through smoking. Depending on your perspective, a vaporizer high may be preferable or not as enjoyable compared to a smoking high.
In my previous guide, "The Ultimate Guide To Buying Your First Marijuana Vaporizer," I explained that vaporizers are a relatively new method of consuming dry herbs like cannabis and tobacco, as well as concentrates and essential oils. People in the vaping community believe that vaporizers offer a cleaner experience, are less bothersome to others due to minimal smell, and allow for more control over the effects, which are considered to be more pure.
Related article: What Are the Benefits Of Vaping Weed? 7 Reasons To Vape Weed Instead Of Smoking It.
First, is it more cost-effective to vape?
Would it save you money in the long term to use a vaporizer for smoking marijuana?
To answer this question, we need to compare similar things. If you maintain a consistent consumption habit and use a high-quality and efficient vaporizer like The Mighty, The Crafty, or one of the Arizers, then yes, it will be cheaper in the long run. Many people who only vape herbs have noticed a significant decrease in their marijuana usage.
However, Vaperents may become passionate about collecting different vaporizers, which can actually result in spending more money. So, if you have a vaporizer that you're satisfied with and it gets the job done well, it's best to stick with it. Only upgrade when you genuinely feel the need for it.
In addition to saving money, there are other tips and tricks to use your vaporizer properly and efficiently. Saving your AVB is only one of the tips that you need to be aware of when you get your first vaporizer .One helpful article to check out is How to Use a Dry Herb Vaporizer - Tips and tricks for Beginners.
Downsides of Combustion - Upsides of Vaporizing
Let me begin by explaining the difference in the types of high you experience. Many of us started smoking weed using traditional methods like joints, bongs, and pipes. We are familiar with the effects of smoking weed, where not only the weed itself burns but also the valuable cannabinoids before we can fully enjoy them. However, vaping your marijuana instead of smoking it feels different, and this change may make you think that you're not getting as high as before.
The reason behind this perception is that the traditional smoking methods allow you to inhale not only the desired components of cannabis, such as THC and CBD, but also unwanted and harmful substances called "combustion toxins." These toxins include carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and more. When you vape, you avoid these combustion toxins, which can give you the sensation of not getting as high as you're used to.
Related article: Marijuana Effects: THC and CBD, and the Entourage Effect!
When you inhale both the toxins and the THC and CBD together, it results in a different type of high compared to when you inhale only the cannabinoids. For example, when you mix tobacco with weed in a spliff, it produces a distinct high that I occasionally enjoy but also try to avoid. The toxic components present in these mixtures can be harmful to your lungs and your overall health.
Luckily, there is a method to "smoke" marijuana without exposing yourself to combustion toxins. By applying the right amount of heat to your herb, you can release cannabinoids like THC and CBD without burning the plant material itself. This process is known as vaporizing.
Types of high - Which one feels better
Bong or vape: What's the difference in the high? When it comes to the "type of high" you experience, using a vaporizer can provide slightly different psychoactive effects. Initially, you may not enjoy it because you're accustomed to inhaling harmful toxins that are only produced through combustion. This misconception has led many first-timers to expect an immediate euphoric head-rush associated with smoking cannabis, which is actually a false belief. As a result, the myth that "vapes don't get you high" has emerged.
Here's how I like to explain it: Comparing vaping to smoking weed is similar to comparing grilled chicken to deep-fried chicken. Grilled chicken is healthier and tastes just as good, but if you're used to eating deep-fried chicken, you might not initially appreciate the grilled version. However, once you become accustomed to grilled chicken, the deep-fried version will start to taste unpleasant.
Later in this article, we will discuss how you can overcome the craving for the smoking high and learn to appreciate the high from vaping. So, don't stop reading.
Flower Vaping Temperature
Each type of dry herb has a specific temperature at which it releases its active compounds, and this is important because higher temperatures can also release more toxins.
According to a study conducted Taylor and Francis Ltd, the optimal temperature for releasing most THC and cannabinoids is around 230 °C (446 F). However, at this temperature, other parts of the herb can burn, creating additional "by-products" that may harm our health over time (refer to the graph below from the same study).
If you want to smoke in a healthier way, it's best to lower the temperature. Yes, this means you may extract less THC from your herb, but the "Already Vaped Bud" can still be put to good use if you decide to save it.
Related article: What is Already Vaped Bud (AVB) - Best Practices & Methods
Keep in mind that the temperature threshold may slightly vary among different strains of herbs, so it's a matter of trial and error until you find the optimal temperature for a specific herb.
Related article: What Vape Temperature Is Ideal? And best practice for optimal results (For Dry Herb)
The Smell
When you vape weed, it does produce a scent, but it's different from the smell when you smoke it. If you've never smelled it before or haven't been around it, most people wouldn't immediately associate the vaping smell with weed. Some individuals have described it as resembling roast beef, popcorn, or other strange things. Overall, it tends to have an unusual smell. On the bright side, the scent usually fades away quite quickly.
However, it's important not to be overly confident when vaping weed, especially around people who disapprove of it. It's best to do it near an open window and have a candle nearby. This way, it's really difficult for others to detect the scent unless they are standing right where you are vaping.
Why Isn't My Dry Herb Vaporizer Giving Me the High I Expected?
Using a dry herb vaporizer can give you a cleaner and gentler high, which is much healthier for your body. However, switching from smoking weed in the traditional way to vaporizing it may require some adjustment, especially if you used to smoke heavily. When I first started using my dry herb vaporizer two years ago, I didn't enjoy it. I ended up putting it away in a drawer for a few months until I decided to give it another chance. Now, I always carry it with me and never leave it behind.
Related article: Wax vs. Dry Herb Vaporizers: What’s better?
Initially, it can be challenging to recognize the effects of getting high, which typically occur around 5 to 10 minutes after taking the first hit. You might not experience the immediate sense of satisfaction or pleasure you desire because your body has become accustomed to the harmful combination of substances you inhale while smoking marijuana.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, take it slow and don't give up too soon. It takes time to adjust. Dedicate yourself to vaping instead of smoking for about 2 or 3 weeks. Allow your body to adapt. If you don't feel the effects initially, refill the vape and keep going.
Once you've successfully transitioned entirely to vaporizers after a few weeks, try smoking a joint again and see how it feels. The contrast will be remarkable.
Important note: Always make sure to save your ABV (Already Been Vaped).
Conclusion
Ever since I switched to using a dry herb vaporizer, I noticed some negative aspects of smoking. When I smoke, I often feel physically uncomfortable. However, when I vape, the physical discomfort is significantly reduced, and you can adjust it by experimenting with the vaping temperature. Initially, this was a bit disappointing, but as I became more familiar with the sensation, it bothered me less.
Both methods have their pros and cons, but I believe the advantages of vaping far outweigh the disadvantages. Vaporizers are the latest technology in consumption and are gaining popularity among health-conscious individuals who value the benefits of the substance without the drawbacks and potential dangers of smoking. If you can, start saving up for a high-quality vaporizer - you won't regret it.
Go back to the main article: The Ultimate Guide To Buying Your First Marijuana Vaporizer.
Finally, here's a summary of what people on Reddit think about vaping vs. smoking marijuana
- Switching to vaping may require an adjustment period, but many people prefer it and don't go back to smoking.
- Some individuals prefer conduction vapes for thicker vapor resembling smoking, despite convection vapes being typically recommended.
- Vaping at different temperatures and experimenting with strains can result in varying effects, and combining strains with CBD can create a more balanced high.
- Vaping provides a different high described as cleaner, more energetic, and focused.
- Vaping allows for better control over the high with the ability to choose different temperatures for different effects.
- Vaping is more efficient, requiring less herb to achieve the desired effects.
- Vaping offers improved taste and flavor compared to smoking by eliminating the taste of combustion.
- Vaping is considered healthier than smoking, as it avoids the harmful toxins produced by combustion.
- Vaping is more discreet, leaves less lingering odor, and can be easier on the lungs compared to smoking.
The Major Benefits to Vaping Vs. Smoking
That's all folks, and stay toasty my friends!
