Smoking is inherently bad for your lungs. When considering the healthiest approach to consuming cannabis, it’s important to note that no method is entirely without risk, even if you’re using the highest quality, pesticide-free product. The smoke produced by burning cannabis contains many of the same harmful toxins and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke, which are detrimental to your health.
Nevertheless, certain techniques might be marginally less damaging than others. Let’s explore how these various methods stack up, as well as some alternatives that don’t involve smoke.
If you are interested in obtaining a medical marijuana card in Florida or have any questions, please feel free to give us a call!
What is the Safest Way to Smoke Weed?
The immediate onset of effects makes smoking (over other methods) the best option for those seeking quick relief and trying to determine the most effective dosage. While studies suggest that smoking cannabis doesn’t heighten your risk of lung or other cancers, it does involve inhaling tars and other potential irritants, which can result in undesirable bronchial reactions such as severe coughing.
Minimize your intake. Attempt 1 to 3 puffs and wait around 10 to 15 minutes to gauge the appropriate dosage. Adjust the dosage as needed.
Opt for smaller, less deep breaths over profound inhalations. Holding in the smoke doesn’t intensify the effects; research indicates that about 95% of the THC is absorbed within the initial few seconds of inhaling.
If you’re partaking with others, it’s advisable, for health reasons, not to share the smoking apparatus. If sharing is inevitable, briefly expose the pipe mouthpiece to flame or clean it with rubbing alcohol to eliminate germs.
To steer clear of unnecessary chemical inhalation, consider using beeswax-coated hemp paper to ignite your medicinal herb instead of matches or a lighter.
Is Vaping Marijuana Safe?
While many people perceive vaping as a safer alternative to traditional smoking due to the well-documented dangers of smoke inhalation, the reality may not be as clear-cut.
Increasing evidence suggests that vaping can pose significant health risks. The main cause for concern is the inhalation of vitamin E acetate, a chemical additive present in numerous vaping products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
This additive has been associated with thousands of instances of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (VALI) and even death, as reported by the CDC.
It’s important to note, however, that this risk appears to be specifically linked to vaping concentrates and not cannabis flowers. A recent study indicated that vaping actual cannabis might be less harmful to your respiratory system than smoking. Nevertheless, research on cannabis vaping remains relatively scarce.
Apart from concerns about lung health, there’s the issue of potency. Reports suggest that individuals who vape cannabis often experience more potent effects, irrespective of the THC content in the product, compared to those who smoke. This could lead to a greater risk of overconsumption or “greening out” when vaping.
Blunt vs. Joint: What’s Safer?
Both methods involve inhaling smoke, which carries its risks. However, if you have to choose between the two, joints might be the safer bet. This is because blunts are created from emptied cigars, and both cigars and their wrappers contain high levels of toxins.
Even after all the tobacco has been removed from a cigar, harmful carcinogens, like nitrosamines, can still linger. Moreover, cigar wrappers are more permeable than rolling papers, leading to less efficient combustion, which results in smoke rich in toxins.
In addition, there’s the issue of size. Blunts are significantly larger than joints, and they can contain much more cannabis. Consuming an entire blunt is akin to smoking about six joints.
Glass Pipes, Bongs, and Bowls: Are They Safe?
Using glass pipes or bongs with filters is a practical way to smoke weed, as it helps eliminate harmful particles from the smoke, providing the cleanest and smoothest smoking experience.
Bongs are especially popular due to their feature of cooling and filtering smoke via water. The convenience, portability, and affordability of glass pipes and bongs make them a preferred choice among many cannabis users. Their user-friendliness and capability to elevate the smoking experience are added advantages.
While inhaling smoke will never be viewed as “safe,” using glass may be less harsh on your lungs. Unfortunately, there are some issues associated with using a water pipe or bong regularly. Some studies explain that it is possible to inhale water vapor, which is bad for the lungs. Also, we do not recommend using any bongs or smoking apparatuses made from plastic, rubber, or aluminum as they can create bad fumes when heated.
What Are Some Alternative Ways To Use Marijuana?
There are several methods available to experience the benefits of marijuana without inhaling smoke. Depending on your preference, at Cannabis Doctor X – Medical Marijuana Doctor, we can help recommend a method that would best fit your situation. Below are some of the most effective and common ways to use marijuana healthily and safely.
Edible Marijuana
Consuming edibles is among the safest methods, although it’s important to note that the effects can be more intense and delayed by an hour or more compared to inhalation. They also tend to last longer. The cannabinoids metabolize differently when ingested which can result in varying subjective effects from person to person.
Experimentation with different types of products and dosages is often necessary to find the most effective method when using edible cannabis. Start with small quantities and wait for at least 2 hours before gradually upping the dose if required. Be cautious about the dosage; consuming too much, which frequently happens with edibles, can lead to discomfort.
Consider trying hash or cannabis oil pills, or opt for tinctures/sprays for ingestion. To maximize therapeutic benefits, it’s crucial to determine your optimal dosage. Begin with no more than two drops and wait for a minimum of an hour before incrementally increasing the dosage as needed.
Topicals
Cannabis topicals cater to those who seek the healing properties of cannabis without experiencing its mind-altering effects. Applying creams, balms, or patches to the skin can alleviate pain and inflammation.
Tinctures
Tinctures are essentially cannabis extracts dissolved in alcohol, packaged in bottles with droppers for easy dosage. While they can be added to beverages, a quicker way to experience their effects is by placing a few drops under your tongue, based on your preferred dosage.
Sublingual
Sublingual cannabis products, such as tinctures, films, and dissolvable tablets, are often grouped with edibles, but they have distinct usage. Instead of swallowing them like edibles, sublingual forms of cannabis are designed to be placed under the tongue where they are absorbed through the mucus membranes in your mouth. This method results in a quicker onset of effects compared to traditional edibles.
Have More Questions? Give Us a Call!
In short, we always recommend practicing safe habits while using marijuana. Use filters when possible, avoid deep inhalation, and always use a clean smoking apparatus.
Obtaining your medical marijuana card in Florida is essential for those looking for the medicinal benefits of cannabis. We have locations across Florida and offer the most competitive pricing. Give us a call today!
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7144697/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21162-vaping
