Vaping vs. Smoking Cannabis- What You Should Know

Over the past few years, smoking has been on a continuous decline. In the western world, media campaigns on smoking's adverse effects have been ingrained in the minds of many. This can be the reason for the steady decline in smoking in the US. Although this trend has been shifting downwards, another new trend has popped into the market. Vaping has taken the world by storm.

In contrast to smoking, vaping has become the more popular choice on the market for using cannabis. Due to this rapid increase, there are still many unknowns about vaping and its benefits over smoking.

Smoking and vaping can be used to take in cannabis, but what is the safer option, and what are the potential risks of both options? This article will review the general information on both methods of taking cannabis. 

What Exactly Is Vaping?

Vaping is a relatively recent trend that has grown in acceptance over the past few years. It is possible to vape with or without nicotine or cannabis. The basic concept of vaping is simple. Users inhale vapor from a battery-powered device that heats a liquid, flavoring, or other chemicals. Then the user blows out the smoke or vapor. 

Vaping equipment comes in a variety of sizes and shapes. They are usually handheld, but some are larger and meant to be used while standing or sitting at a table. Some resemble pens, while others look like e-cigarettes, traditional pipes, or cigarettes. Some devices have refillable cartridges, while others have disposable cartridges containing pre-measured liquid doses.

Vaping devices range in price from under $20 to several hundred dollars. Users can customize their vaping experience based on what they prefer most each time based on additional features such as temperature control settings.

Health Risks Of Vaping

The primary health risk of vaping is inhaling harmful substances into your lungs. Studies have shown that the chemicals found in vaping are similar to those found in traditional ways of smoking. The risks of vaping are lower compared to conventional smoking methods. Still, many other chemicals can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer. Some people who vape have reported experiencing coughing fits due to their lungs being irritated by the vaporized liquid. This could result from other substances present in the product the user uses. 

Vaping could also be a problem due to the higher levels of THC in each use. Vapes are a more efficient system for delivering THC to the body. Users might feel high in a faster time than they would usually feel from smoking. This could result in more negative effects like anxiety or dry mouth. 

Is Vaping Better than Smoking?

Smoking is much more harmful to your health than vaping. To smoke, fire must be used. The fire burns the product and leads to a combustion reaction. Burning marijuana releases carcinogens, which are substances that can cause cancer. You can also breathe in soot from burning marijuana. This can irritate the lungs and exasperate other lung issues like asthma. 

With vaping, no live fire is present, so you don't have the same risk of using fire. Vaping works through a method called conduction or convection. Convention works by the releasing of medicinal chemicals. This process relies on direct contact between your herbs and a heated element such as stainless steel. This is a highly direct method of heating your material and frequently produces quick and immediate results. Conduction, on the other hand, has a somewhat greater danger of combustion, which is generally countered by the digital controls found in most vaporizers.

 Smoking is generally seen as more harmful compared to vaping. However, studies on the long-term effects of vaping are still not known. 

Vaping's Unique Health Concerns

You should be aware of the health risks surrounding vaping. Many users of vaping are young. This carries a unique problem when it comes to vaping. Due to its popularity, many younger consumers vape without the proper knowledge to do it safely. 

Vaping is a more potent way of taking in marijuana. Users must know how much they take in when vaping since the process is more potent than smoking. In a 2018 study on the effects of vaping and smoking cannabis, 17 individuals smoked or vaped for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, the results showed that vaping participants had more THC in their bloodstream. Those that vaped 10 mg of THC had similar levels of THC to those that smoked 25 mg of THC.

Like with anything using low-quality products will lead to more inherent risk. This issue is present with vaping as well. The false sense of security gained from vaping over smoking may lead to more reckless use, so being probably aware of potential health side effects like acute lung injury is essential.

Both Carry Risks, But Vaping Has Less 

The health risks of vaping and smoking are very different. Smokers are at risk for many kinds of cancers and lung problems. Vapers don't have these risks because they aren't inhaling smoke or tar into their lungs. Instead, they're using a vaporizer device that heats a liquid, not other harmful substances.

The smell of marijuana smoke can be powerful and pervasive. Vaping marijuana allows you to take in the herb without the harsh smoke. When you smoke marijuana, the smoke contains a significant amount of tar and other inhaled chemicals that can harm the lungs and throat. Vaping carries its unique problems, so you should be aware of it to be more knowledgeable. For information on Medical Marijuana in Virginia, book an appointment and talk to our medical professional to see if you qualify.