Up until marijuana was legalized, the traditional methods of consumption have been through bongs, blunts, and joints. But no matter how much fun it is to spark up a joint, it’s essential to understand that whenever you light up a cigarette, cigar, or joint, the process of combustion is ignited and produces carcinogens. Although it doesn’t occur at the identical rate of smoking cigarettes – smoking produces carcinogens which could become a hazard to your health.
Nowadays people are opting for healthier ways of smoking weed. Vaporizers have gained a reputation for being safer than smoking. With vaping, the smoker inhales the vapor and cannabis doesn’t combust. Every time you inhale marijuana, you take in all the compounds included in the burned matter, which contains harmful compounds.
However, when used in a vaporizer, cannabis is heated at lower temperatures. The vapor developed by this low-heating process singles out the good byproducts by increasing the temperature of the strain to a level where it reaches its vaporization points and extracts compounds from cannabinoids and terpenes.
Each vaporizer is a smoking device that works on a battery-operated heating system and is easy to use. By placing the oil in the vaporizer, it heats up until it reaches temperatures below combustion and the smoke produced from that heat is inhaled.
About Vaping & Bioavailability
Besides decreasing inhalation of bad compounds produced by combustion, vaping makes room for bioavailability of marijuana compounds. Compounds are terpenes and cannabinoids that get activated after vaping. CBD and THC smoked through a vaporizer have a bioavailability of up to 55%. In comparison, taking capsules or ingesting oil sublingually has a bioavailability of 20% – 30%.
Starter vaping kits start low and can go up to $50 more. However, vape juice costs more than marijuana oil. Overall, you save money due to 1000mg of a compound lasts longer. Using a vaporizer preserves terpenes which are the compounds linked to healing stress, improving moods and memory.
Vaping Isn’t All That!
Before you jump on the vaping band-wagon, vaping has gained a reputation for being a safer option to smoking. However, there’s some controversy. One of the huge debates happening right now questions what type of ‘carrier’ is used in vape juice. The carrier holds the cannabinoids which dissolve when heated and turns into the smoke that is vaped.
Regardless if you are vaping THC or CBD, a carrier is needed to dissolve it before you inhale the smoke. The most popular carriers are Propylene glycol (PG), Vegetable glycerin (VG), and Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). These three carriers have been researched and analysts claim that Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) come in the first place when it comes to choosing the best vape juice carrier.
But let’s breakdown: Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable glycerin (VG).
About Propylene Glycol (PG)
Propylene Glycol (PG) was the prominent dissolving agent on the market due to being one of the thinnest solvents out there. The thinness of a solvent influences the ability of vape oil to operate in a pre-filled or refillable cartridge. When it comes to thinning carriers, the theory is simple: the thinner the solution, the easier it is to vaporize and reduce the amount of residue left over. Since PG is tasteless, it doesn’t alter the flavor of the vape juice.
On the other hand, PG has some downfalls. Because it absorbs moisture rapidly, smokers can experience a dry mouth. However, this is minor compared to the main problem. When PG is overheated during vaporization, it develops carbonyl and formaldehyde compounds that are linked to cancerous byproducts!
According to a 2017 study by Troutt and DiDonato in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, four of the most used cannabis thinning agents PG, VG, MCT, and PEG 400 (Polyethylene glycol) were used in an experiment. Four of the thinning agents were heated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Out of the four, researchers claimed that PEG 400 produced the most detrimental acetaldehyde and formaldehyde byproducts, PG developed far more formaldehyde than MCT or VG.
If you’re using a budget-friendly vaporizer that heats up cannabis to a pre-set temperature, you might not be aware of the exact temperature your vape juice is being heated at. Some vaporizers might contain defects in the batteries and cartridges and this causes inhaling cancerous agents. In the long run, PG is likely to cause a lot of damage to your health.
About Vegetable Glycerin
Compared to its other counterparts, Vegetable glycerin (VG) is vegetable-based and contains sweet thickening elements. VG is a common ingredient in cough syrup and chewing gum. It is thicker than PG, and the upside is that VG causes fewer allergies. The sweetness that VG adds to vape juice, makes it taste better as smokers who use VG claim it produces a smoother hit compared to PG.
VG is an odourless liquid and is created from plant extracts in the form of triglycerides and the flavour is more intense than PG. However, VG has been linked to producing cancerous compounds. Moreover, cannabis manufacturers frequently combine VG and PG in their vape juice products. Before purchasing vape juice, check for a VG/PG ratio on its ingredients label. Remember, since VG is thicker than PG, it needs more heating to vaporize. When you increase the heat, it ups the chance of releasing carcinogenic compounds.
