The Pottery Intro to Cannabis Vaping
As one of Los Angeles’ top cannabis dispensaries, the Pottery weed dispensary Los Angeles believes strongly in educating our customers about the latest methods for enjoying cannabis. We want you to make informed decisions about your cannabis consumption and ensure you have a positive, safe experience. In light of this commitment, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of vaping cannabis oil and concentrates.
What is vaping?
To understand vaping, it’s important to contrast it with traditional smoking. Smoking involves the combustion, or burning, of the cannabis flower. The heat triggers a reaction known as decarboxylation, which activates the cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD. However, smoking also releases harmful byproducts like tar and carcinogens.
On the other hand, vaping cannabis oil and concentrates requires heating these products to a temperature that converts the active ingredients into a vapor. This transformation is achieved either through convection, heating the product by warm air, or conduction, direct contact with a heat source. By avoiding combustion, vaping presents a smokeless alternative to traditional methods of cannabis consumption.
About Cannabis Oil & Concentrates
Cannabis oils and concentrates are rich in cannabinoids, the active compounds in cannabis. The two primary cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is psychoactive and responsible for the euphoric “high,” while CBD is non-psychoactive and associated with various therapeutic benefits, such as pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects.
Aside from cannabinoids, cannabis oils and concentrates also contain terpenes and flavonoids. Terpenes are aromatic compounds responsible for the unique scents and flavors of different cannabis strains, and they also contribute to the entourage effect, a synergistic interaction between cannabis compounds. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that impart vivid colors to the plants and may also have health benefits.
The Science of Vaping
A vape pen or vaporizer generally consists of a battery, a heating element or atomizer, and a chamber to hold the cannabis oil or concentrate. Upon activation, the battery powers the atomizer to heat the cannabis product to a specific temperature, releasing a vapor rich in the active compounds of cannabis.
The ability to control the heating temperature is a critical feature of vaping. It’s essential to note that different compounds in cannabis have different boiling points. For instance, THC and CBD vaporize at approximately 315°F and 356°F, respectively. Terpenes, meanwhile, have a wide range of boiling points, meaning that different vaping temperatures can yield varied flavor profiles and effects.
Advantages of Vaping
Vaping is often seen as a cleaner and potentially healthier alternative to smoking because it does away with the harmful byproducts of combustion. A study in the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics highlighted that vaporizing cannabis can provide therapeutic cannabinoids with minimal toxic pyrolytic byproducts.
Vaping is also highly efficient. When you vape, more cannabinoids and terpenes reach your bloodstream compared to smoking, leading to a more potent experience. Furthermore, vaping provides quick onset of effects, which can be beneficial for people using cannabis for symptom relief.
Staying Safe & Being Smart
While vaping offers several benefits, it’s important to keep safety top of mind. Always source your cannabis oil and concentrates from trustworthy dispensaries like The Pottery. Regrettably, black-market products can contain harmful additives, pesticides, or heavy metals. Vaping at excessively high temperatures can also degrade cannabinoids and terpenes, potentially producing harmful compounds.
Conclusion
The long-term effects of vaping are still under investigation. Therefore, it’s vital to use moderation, pay attention to how your body reacts, and consult with healthcare professionals if you have any concerns. And remember you can always talk to one of our experts at The Pottery for answers.