CBD Smoking vs. Vaping

The difference between smoking and vaping cannabis

Are you still smoking your cannabis? If so, you should check out this guide about vaping to see if you're ready to make the switch. Vaping isn't just healthier than smoking, it also has some other benefits.

Vaping has become super popular in recent years. Even though research on the long-term health effects of vaping is still ongoing, this way of consuming is generally seen as a safer and healthier alternative to smoking. While lots of people have already switched from cigarettes to vaping e-liquids, vaping is now also getting more popular among cannabis users. Below, you'll find out exactly how vaping works and how it's different from smoking. What are the benefits of vaping, and is it really safer and healthier than smoking?

What is vaping?

The big difference between vaping and smoking is that with vaping, the cannabis doesn't burn—it just gets heated to a certain temperature. The heat activates the cannabinoids and terpenes in the cannabis, which are then released as vapor and can be inhaled. Since you're not inhaling smoke like you would with a joint, vaping has some practical health advantages over smoking.

The benefits of vaping

Vaping is (probably) healthier than smoking. Even though it's not 100% scientifically proven yet, most people agree that vaping is much safer and less harmful to your health than smoking. That's because almost all of the harmful and sometimes cancer-causing substances that come from smoking are produced by burning. And it doesn't really matter if you're burning cannabis or tobacco. Since cannabis doesn't burn when you vape it, there's no smoke, so you inhale fewer toxins and carcinogens than you would with a joint.

Tobacco smoke definitely contains high concentrations of carcinogens (chemicals that cause cancer), which is why it's gotten such a bad reputation over the years. But unfortunately, cannabis smoke probably contains these substances too, even if it's maybe in smaller amounts. Smoke is known to contain tar and cause lung problems, which makes this way of consuming really unsuitable for people with respiratory issues. According to a study on cannabis smoke by the “American Lung Association,” smoking cannabis actually exposes your body to more tar than tobacco does. That's probably also because cannabis smokers usually inhale much deeper and longer than cigarette smokers.

By switching to vaping, our lungs are immediately at less risk of negative side effects. A study published in 2007 in the “Harm Reduction Journal” found that vaping cannabis can reduce respiratory problems that are usually caused by smoking marijuana.

The risks that come with smoking alone are enough to make a lot of people switch to vaping. But besides the long-term effects, many also find that vaping is more pleasant, less messy, and just a nicer overall experience.

Vaping cannabis is more efficient and maximizes potency and bioavailability

The active ingredients in cannabis are sensitive to heat. When you consume cannabinoids, terpenes, etc. as smoke, more than half of these compounds burn up before they even reach your lungs. Another 15–20% of the good stuff is lost when the cannabis burns between hits while smoking. So really, smoking cannabis is pretty inefficient.

Since the temperatures in vaping are much lower and often more precise, the active ingredients are not only preserved but can also reach their full potential. The result is that cannabis vapor is purer and more potent—and you don't waste as much weed. So, in the long run, vaping also saves you money.

The bioavailability of cannabinoids when vaping is up to 80%, while it's only about 30% when smoking. Check out our related article “Bioavailability of CBD” for more on this topic.

CBD E-Liquids from Green Passion

You'll find especially high-quality e-liquids for vaping here.

More flavor when vaping

Besides the cannabinoids, which are responsible for the main effects, cannabis also contains aromatic compounds called terpenes that define the flavor. These compounds are also very volatile and sensitive to heat, which means they can quickly get destroyed by high temperatures during burning. With vaping, you can actually enjoy the individual terpenes even more. It's interesting to note that some terpenes have different boiling points, so they're released as vapor at certain lower temperatures.

For example, the spicy and peppery β-caryophyllene is released at lower temperatures around 118 °C and can't handle higher temperatures. Then there are other terpenes like linalool that can handle higher temperatures just fine.

With many vaping devices, you can adjust the temperature to your liking. That way, you can discover the full range of flavors that you miss out on when smoking.
Here are the activation temperatures for some of the most important cannabinoids and terpenes:

You can control the intensity of the effects when vaping

Just like the taste of cannabis can be influenced by different temperature settings, the intensity of the effects can also be adjusted. Vaping at higher temperatures releases more cannabinoids, giving you a stronger and faster effect. If you want a mild effect, you can set the temperature to around 150°C. For a somewhat stronger effect, set the temperature to a medium heat of 166–187°C. If you want the maximum intensity, you can set the temperature to the highest setting. However, you should never go above 229°C, as you’re getting too close to combustion temperatures, which can ruin the potency and flavor of your weed.

Why temperature matters when vaping cannabis

A scientific study from 2009 took a closer look at the effects of vaping at different temperatures. For this study, researchers vaped cannabis at three different temperatures: 170°C, 200°C, and 230°C. They tested the ratio of cannabinoids to byproducts (in other words, the purity) in the vapor at these temperatures.

The results showed that even at higher temperatures, vapor contains fewer harmful toxins than smoke. The study also found that most therapeutic cannabinoids, like cannabichromene (CBC), are released into the vapor just below the combustion temperature at 232°C. These valuable cannabinoids are completely lost when you smoke.

Of course, personal preferences can vary. If you want to keep most of the flavors or prefer a milder high, you’ll probably go for lower temperatures. So if you want to start vaping, make sure you choose a vaporizer that lets you set the temperature yourself. That way, you can make the most of all the benefits vaping has to offer.

The current state of research on vaping cannabis

These days, using cannabis isn’t really a big taboo anymore. Lots of people use cannabis just for medical reasons, and recreational use is becoming more accepted and legal. The slow but steady loosening of cannabis laws isn’t just good for consumers—it also opens up new research opportunities in the field. Because of the obvious advantages of vaping over smoking, research into vaping as a consumption method for medical users is increasing.

In an American study from 2015, 2,910 cannabis users of various ages (18–90) were surveyed about their cannabis use and vaping habits. 61% of participants said they had vaped at least once in their lives, 37% said they had vaped in the last 30 days, 20% reported vaping for more than 100 days, and 12% said vaping was their preferred way to consume. The study found that people who vape reported a “healthier, better-tasting, stronger, and more satisfying” cannabis experience. On the other hand, only a small percentage (14%) of cannabis vapers said they had completely quit smoking.

Another study from 2016 looked at preferred methods of use for relieving symptoms in cancer patients. They found that vaping was the third most popular method after pills and mouth sprays. Another study from 2015 looked at blood levels and confirmed earlier studies about the effectiveness of vaping for cannabinoid intake.

Vaping vs. smoking cannabis: The bottom line

To sum it up, vaping cannabis offers a healthier, purer, more flavorful, and more potent experience than smoking. In the selection from Green Passion, you’ll find not only cannabis flowers for vaping but also the devices you need, like vaporizers and e-cigarettes.

We also highly recommend the cannabinoid-rich e-liquids from Green Passion (CBD) and HEMPY (THC) available in our shop.