7 Ways Vaping Marijuana is Different to Smoking – Safety Comes First

With Cannabis vaping on the rise, and the current side effects of still unknown. Many people are left wondering what the difference is between smoking and vaping marijuana.

Now that vaping has become more common as a nicotine replacement aid. Some people are still unaware that a vaporizer can be used for cannabis as well.

One of the first things I asked when making this discovery some ten years ago was. What is the difference in terms of how it affects your body?

Some Considerations

health risks of smoking compared to vaping weed

Firstly, it is important to mention that even though we know smoking is bad for your health. And, that cannabis smoke still does contain some carcinogens. Research has found that marijuana smoke doesn’t have the same adverse effects as tobacco smoke.

Recommended vape gear…

Especially when it comes to some of the growing illnesses like lung cancer and emphysema. However, research on this is still ongoing.

Additionally, there are two ways of vaping that currently exist. Vaping ground buds (the flower from the cannabis plant) and vaping cannabis oil (Oils extracted from various parts of the plant, mostly the flowers).

dry herb or wax vaporizer — Wax Concentrates & Ground Cannabis

With legalization slowly spreading throughout the USA and the rest of the world. We still know relatively little about the long term effects of cannabis on your health.

So much of the alleged health effects are anecdotal and coming from personal experiences, I see these numbers are growing. However, these are the types of testimonials that are pushing legislation forward.

Although vaping and smoking weed may have similar effects on your mind, given the THC content of the cannabis, there are some differences in how they will affect a person’s body overall.

Here are seven differences between smoking and vaping marijuana.

1. Smoking Burns while Vaping Boils off the Cannabinoids and Oils.

is soking weed more dangerous than vaping

Smoking burns the entire plant matter turning the different cannabinoid, terpenes and other compounds into an inhalable smoke — all of them working together to produce what is called the entourage effect.

This means that the combination of them all working together is more effective than if you were to consume each of them individually.

Vaporization involves heating the cannabis buds to a temperature (usually under (430°F) 220°C) which boils off the cannabinoids and essential oils without combustion.

The effects between smoking and vaping can be pretty similar, but the amount of psychoactive impact that comes from either method of use depends on the number of psychoactive cannabinoids such as CBD and THC that each contains.

2. Vaping Cannabis Buds are Safer, But, Oils Need Care

Vaping can be a safer alternative to smoking, but not all vaporization is the same. Ground cannabis seems to be much more reliable than vaporizing concentrates like wax, shatter and oils.

With an excellent dry herb vaporizer, appropriately set to anywhere between 340 – 430°F, cannabinoids can be inhaled with no combustion. However, concentrate vaporization can be harmful due to the higher vaporizing temperatures used in enails.

Sometimes there are additives in concentrates. Whether it is polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol which get used in some eliquids for vape carts.

Or, some of the chemicals used in the extraction process may not have been purged correctly. such as butane or isopropyl alcohol.

As a result, ‘Dabbing’ can be just as bad as smoking.

Safety: Always buy Concentrates from a reputable seller and ask for lab reports.

3. More Consistency from Vaping Cannabis

When it comes to vaping your cannabis, I find that over time, it becomes more of a consistent feeling. I no longer see myself melting into the sofa. Not because I can’t, but, because I don’t want to.

See, It is easier to control the effects of a marijuana vaporizer. It is never quite like the punch in the face you get when smoking a fat blunt. As a result, I never really get that gougy, tired feeling that results in a very groggy morning after. The wife is pleased by this haha.

4. Vapor is lighter (cleaner) than smoke

There is a big difference in what you’re inhaling when it comes to cannabis vapor. Vaping is much lighter than smoking meaning it dissipates into the air quickly. As a result, the smell doesn’t hang around for long.

Furthermore, It is particularly suitable for cannabis consumption indoors. And, can even be safer around your loved ones.

5. Smoking Combusts While Vaping Does Not.

When smoking, a person is burning the herbs plus all of the other chemicals that are in the plants. In addition to this, they are also combusting the paper skin that holds it all together.

Combustion produces toxic byproducts that lead to respiratory issues such as bronchitis. Vaporizing does not produce such poisonous chemicals and as such leads to less respiratory problems.

A little added bonus with this is, It doesn’t stink up your house

6. Smoking Is More Irritable Than Vaping

As mentioned above, smoking can do more damage to the respiratory system than vaping. In the research that is available online, it seems clear that smoked cannabis is indeed more irritating to the respiratory system than vaporizing.

With prolonged smoking of cannabis, many consumers have reported respiratory problems, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and other bronchitis-type symptoms.

These issues are far less of a concern in the vaping industry.

7. Less Product Is Lost When Vaping

I touched on this previously in consistency. Vaping is more efficient for those who choose to do it. When smoking, up to 30% of cannabis can be lost due to sidestream smoke (when you’re not smoking, it’s still burning). Very little is lost when it comes to vaping because the cannabis is heated in an enclosed chamber.

The effects, if it’s either smoked or vaped can be similar. They are both fast-acting with effects usually coming on very quickly. And both typically last from 1-4 hours depending on your tolerance.

The Final Puff

Although there isn’t much solid research out there to back up the safety of long term cannabis vaporization, If you use common sense, it is easy to see that Vaping would be safer than smoking. It’s also more enjoyable too… well aslong as your not vaping fresh cut weed.

As I write this, the medical marijuana industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, and as a result, the Cannabis vaporization industry is booming as well.

Due to its rapid growth in popularity, the world is keen on finding out the safest methods to consume your cannabis. So, we are sure to see some highly qualified research follow soon.