Vaping FAQs

is smoking medical cannabis safer than vaping

by Anne Wilderman PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Although evidence suggests that vaping may be less harmful than smoking, both can have dangerous side effects. Neither smoking nor vaping is beneficial to human health. Based on the available evidence, smoking appears to be more harmful than vaping. However, this does not mean that vaping is safe.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF CANNABIS VAPING
Studies suggest that vaporized cannabis may generate fewer chemicals than smoked cannabis and could thus represent a less harmful, or 'healthier' mode of consumption (17).
Jun 15, 2020

Full Answer

Why vaping is healthier than cigarette smoking?

This is why using vaping liquid is a far better option. Vape juices contain far fewer chemicals and are FDA approved. Before using a particular vaping liquid, be sure to check out the ingredients to ensure it is high-quality. Vaping is Less Addictive. The high nicotine levels in traditional cigarettes make it extremely hard for people to quit ...

Which is worse cigarettes or vaping?

While not entirely 100% harmless, vaping is so much safer than smoking cigarettes that you can continue to vape if you happen to enjoy it without worring about the harm caused by cigarettes. In fact, the consumption of nicotine can prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease and probably other diseases of aging.

What are the health risks of vaping marijuana?

  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight loss
  • Night sweats
  • Fatigue
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Low oxygen levels
  • Lung failure and death (in severe cases)

Is vaping worse than smoking weed?

Teens who inhale cannabis via vape pens are more likely to develop breathing problems than those who vape tobacco products or even those who smoke either cigarettes or marijuana joints, according to research appearing in the Journal of Adolescent Health this spring led by University of Michigan nursing professor Carol Boyd.

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What is the difference between smoking and vaping?

The primary difference between smoking and vaping is that vaping creates a cannabinoid-rich vapor by heating the cannabis, which you then inhale. Smoking ignites the cannabis by burning the flower, which introduces a greater number of harmful chemicals and irritants into your lungs. Vaping medical marijuana overall tends to provide a cleaner, ...

What temperature do you need to vaporize cannabis?

Electronic cigarette vaporizers or poorly calibrated pens can operate at higher or lower than ideal temperatures for cannabis. Temperatures at around 338°F are most effective for vaporizing and delivering cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial chemicals.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

While all this information seems to suggest vaping is safer than smoking, there are still safety concerns to be aware of.

Can you vape over smoking?

We often recommend vaping over smoking to our patients, especially to new cannabis users. Patients commonly express concern over irritating their lungs or getting popcorn lung. Popcorn lung is caused by a specific chemical.

Can you smoke marijuana in Missouri?

Unfortunately, state law does not protect public cannabis use even if patients have their Missouri marijuana card, but it does state that landlords cannot restrict marijuana use if a patient is vaporizing on his private property. It offers no such protection for other methods (such as making edibles or smoking flower) so it is important to be careful if/when ingesting using those methods.

Can you smoke marijuana with a medical marijuana card?

This tends to be the most common method of administration, and has been for centuries. As more and more medical dispensaries continue to open, patients with a medical marijuana card will find they have access to a wide variety of cannabis options. These include vaping medical marijuana from disposable vape pens, other vaporizer products, creams, salves, tincture, elixirs, mints and other products.

Does vaping oil hurt?

It doesn’t hurt to check what’s in a vape oil, though. Ideally, the solvent used would be quality cannabis terpenes and/or vegetable glycerin. For most people, the benefits of vaping cannabis far outweigh the small risks of using other solvents. But it’s good to be informed!

How long does it take for vaping to work?

If you are new to vaping, it is generally recommended to start low and go slow. If you aren't feeling the desired effect after 15 minutes, you can take a little more.

How much does a dry herb vape cost?

Cannabis enthusiasts say dry herb vaping has a better flavor and milder smell than smoking. A good quality dry herb vape starts at about $200, but the expense could be worth it for people who smoke cannabis regularly.

What do vaporizers use?

Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn leaves to make smoke, vaporizers use batteries and small metal coils to heat a substance until it evaporates and is then inhaled. For this reason, they're often referred to as vapes, vape pens, and vaporizers. But not all devices vaporize the same way.

Can you smoke cannabis with a vape cart?

Dry herb vapes have a stronger odor that can linger in a room for about 30 minutes, but is easier to mask than smoking. And unlike smoking, vaping does not typically cling to clothing and skin.

Is vaping marijuana harmful?

Vaping marijuana might expose you to fewer toxic ingredients than smoking it, but it's far from harmless. A lot more research is needed to fully understand the health risks associated with vaping in general and vaping products that contain THC.

Is vaping bad for you?

Keep in mind that the use of e-cigarettes and vaping in general puts you at a greater risk of lung disease, heart disease, and cancer. 12 And though you are not smoking nicotine, that doesn't mean you aren't ingesting other harmful toxins.

Is vaping weed harmful?

Vaping weed might seem like a less harmful alternative to smoking, but it’s not entirely harmless. In addition to the health risks associated with THC, vaping itself can be potentially damaging to a person’s health. 4

How does smoking cannabis work?

Smoking cannabis will deliver its benefits through the respiratory system. Inhaling the smoke carries the smoke deep into the lungs where it passes through the lung tissue to the blood system. The blood carries it to the brain and throughout the body’s glands, tissues, and other systems.

What class is cannabis?

Cannabis has many plant cousins. Botanists connect it with everything from blueberries to rosemary. As an herb, it belongs to classes that include thyme and parsley. It flowers, grows like a shrub and exud ...

How many states have legalized medical cannabis?

Most fears arise from a lack of understanding. That goes for the fears about using cannabis as medicine. The spread of legalized medical cannabis to 29 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam is one sign that ...

Can you smoke cannabis if you have respiratory problems?

People with existing respiratory problems should avoid smoking or vaping cannabis. People with a family history of respiratory weakness or prone to respiratory issues should not smoke or vape anything when there are many other ways to consume cannabis. Having said that, here’s the skinny on smoking cannabis!

Does smoking marijuana cause a bad reaction?

Smoking cannabis does produce some negative side effects. Cannabis smokers will experience some red eye, dry cough, and increased appetite. The more potent the cannabis strains will produce harsher side effects. However, cannabis smokers routinely build up a tolerance for these side effects.

Is vaping a lifestyle choice?

Beyond that, shoppers and users may adopt moderate vaping as a lifestyle choice. Vaping remains a convenient, more affordable, and slightly more discrete way of consuming cannabis. So, you can adopt use as a safer alternative to smoking.

Does vaping burn paper?

However, the cannabis available for vaping is weaker than that marketed as dry herb. It follows then that there is less potential irritation. And, although vaping involves heating the cannabis-infused liquid, it does not burn paper and debris. Therefore, make an informed decision by researching from an reputable source such as VapoCorner.

Is inhalation a good treatment?

Inhalation provides some of the fastest relief available, and sometimes you only have inhalation as an option for your treatment plan. When you choose any medical treatment, you must consider if the benefits outweigh the risks. The risks and benefits of these two methods vary by patient, making every situation different.

Is smoking marijuana safer than vaping?

Smoking marijuana has a few more hazards than vaping, but you can reduce many of them with simple habits.

Can you smoke weed with a vaporizer?

Most patients consider the health risks of smoking the deciding factor between picking up a pipe or vaporizer. We already know that smoking tobacco causes many problems. Health-conscious patients try to avoid smoking cannabis because they believe it’s the same as tobacco. When you smoke marijuana, you don’t inhale the same toxins contained in cigarettes. However, you breathe in smoke, which irritates the lungs because of its temperature, content and dryness.

Is smoking cheaper than vaping?

Smoking products often have a more affordable price than vaping gear. Smoking usually involves rolling papers and a lighter, which tend to have low costs. Meanwhile, you need a vaporizer to vape and possibly cartridges or concentrates.

Does marijuana flower contain irritants?

Tobacco companies add a variety of harmful substances to their products, but marijuana flower and concentrates have few to no added ingredients. You only need to take care with marijuana smoke because all kinds of smoke have irritants. Cannabis smoke has about as many irritants as the smoke and charring that comes from roasting marshmallows.

What is vaping?

Essentially, vaping is the heating of cannabis without burning. The heat releases the active ingredients into a vapor that is then released into the air in a fine mist created by a vaporizer device. Since combustion does not occur, smoke is not created.

Why do people prefer vaporizers?

Novice consumers also tend to prefer vaporizing because the vapor can be inhaled in short puffs rather than deep breaths. Additionally, people appreciate the added benefit that it is more discreet to use a vaporizer.

How hot does a vaporizer get?

Most vaporizers heat cannabis to a temperature just below combustion, in the range of 180 to 200°C (356 to 392°F). We now know that the amount of compound released does increase as its boiling point is approached.

What temperature is cannabis vaporized?

In this study, cannabis was vaporized at three different temperatures (338°F, 392°F, and 446°F), with the cannabinoid-to-byproduct ratio measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ratio at 392°F and 446°F was significantly higher than in smoke, showing less harmful toxins when vaporizing.

Does vaporizer smoke?

Some say vaporizers produce a more clear-headed high because smoke is not inhaled, but there are few studies that research whether vaping and smoking indeed create different types of highs. In an early study of 18 subjects, each subject either smoked or vaped one of three different strengths of THC (1.7, 3.4 of 6.8 percent), followed by measurements of delta-9-THC in blood and carbon monoxide in expired air. While blood levels were not significantly different, expired carbon monoxide was greatly reduced when vaporization was used.

Does vaporizing marijuana reduce ingestion of potentially harmful toxins like tar, ammonia, and carcino?

But what do researchers say? Does vaporizing reduce ingestion of potentially harmful toxins like tar, ammonia, and carcinogens found in cannabis smoke? While there is very little research on cannabis vaporizing, studies over the years have shown that vaporizing does produce fewer carcinogenic compounds than smoking marijuana because it is heated but not combusted. Although cannabis smoke is less toxic than cigarette smoke, inhalation of any combustion product is less than desirable. Any type of smoke still contains gases and particulates that can create lung irritation and respiratory problems. In fact, over 100 toxins and compounds are released when cannabis is burned.

Is a portable vaporizer too expensive?

In addition to a slightly more cumbersome process, many desktop and portable vaporizers are too expensive for casual consumers (although in the long run, vaporizers can save you money on cannabis). Related. How to Save Money and Conserve Your Cannabis With Vaporizers.

How many people died from vaping in 2020?

Trusted Source. , by early 2020, there had been a total of 2,807 hospitalizations or deaths from vaping. However, the CDC also acknowledge that since the removal of vitamin E acetate from vaping products, along with other harmful ingredients, the number of symptoms that people experience from vaping has declined.

What is vaping in teens?

Vaping involves breathing in an aerosol that contains several chemicals, including nicotine and flavoring, through an e-cigarette or other device. A 2018 survey found that vaping is growing in popularity among teenagers.

What is the chemical in cannabis that produces a high?

THC is the chemical in cannabis that produces a high. According to a 2018 study. Trusted Source. that looked at infrequent cannabis smoking in adults, vaping THC produced stronger mind-altering effects than smoking a similar amount of weed.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, vaping may be slightly less harmful than smoking. They note that a person who smokes inhales about 7,000 chemicals, whereas vaping likely involves a lower number of chemicals.

Is vaping dangerous?

Vaping also delivers several dangerous chemicals, including diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Vaping may normalize smoking again as it becomes more popular. , by early 2020, there had been a total of 2,807 hospitalizations or deaths from vaping.

Is vaping a good alternative to smoking?

Scientists do not fully understand the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) yet, but the science indicates that they are not a safe alternative to smoking. Vaping involves breathing in an aerosol that contains several chemicals, including nicotine and flavoring, ...

Does vaping cause cancer?

Vaping can: damage the lungs. release free radicals into the body, which promote cancer development. weaken the immune system. delay brain development in fetuses, children, and teenagers. Future studies will likely show that vaping has additional long-term health effects that scientists have not yet discovered.

What is the difference between vaping flower and cannabis oil?

If you are vaping concentrated cannabis oil in a cartridge or other concentrates these are much more potent than vaping flower. Concentrates and concentrated oils can contain between 70-90% of cannabinoids, where cannabis flower will contain between 5-30% of cannabinoids. Keep this difference in potency in mind when medicating and choosing a product to vape.

Why does vaping make me cough?

Vaping should not produce a cough or smell. If vaping does produce a cough, it is a sign that the heat of the vaporizer is too higher. When lowered, it should eliminate any cough.

What temperature should a vaporizer be?

The highest temperature vaporizers should reach is 428° F. THCV and CBC vaporize at this temperature, while all other cannabinoids and terpenes vaporize below this temperature. Vaporization boils off cannabinoids and terpenes at different levels depending on the temperatures needed to boil off each cannabinoid or terpene.

How much does a desktop vaporizer cost?

Desktop vaporizers can be expensive to purchase, ranging from $150-$700.

What can portable vaporizers be used for?

Portable vaporizers can be used with more products including wax, concentrates, and concentrated oils.

When was vaping invented?

Vaping was invented in the early 1990s by a Native American named Eagle Bill, who lived in the Netherlands. Eagle Bill used a hot air paint stripping gun to heat cannabis, but only to the point in which the active cannabinoids and terpenes were boiled off, below the temperature of burning the cannabis which happens when smoking. The vapor produced was captured in a jar. This vapor didn’t have the taste or smell of cannabis smoke. It was much more floral, tasty, and mild. Vaping became a preferred method of using medical marijuana that has developed and spread rapidly since Eagle Bill’s first invention.

Can you vape medical cannabis?

If you plan on vaping as your preferred method of using medical cannabis it is recommended that you invest in a high quality vaporizer. Vaporizers use water which can cause rust and oxidation that is unhealthy to inhale. Poorly made vaporizers can contain chemicals from manufacturing. It is best to buy a quality vaporizer for extended use.

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Risks

Scope

  • This principle applies to laws for acceptable medical marijuana products and usage. When a state legalizes cannabis medicine, they dont always approve of all kinds of medical marijuana. Smoking and vaping products seem to cause the most disparities among medicinal cannabis product regulations.
See more on marijuanadoctors.com

Safety

  • Since so many people associate smoking with recreational use, lawmakers sometimes shy away from permitting it for medical marijuana patients. While some may consider recreational use valid, plenty of lawmakers do not. Vaping sometimes gets caught in these bans, as well. In these scenarios, the law forbids all kinds of inhalation.
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Health

  • Everyone has unique abilities, health considerations and access to medicine. A persons physical and cognitive abilities influence the suitability of smoking and vaping for their needs. Their distance from the closest dispensary also comes into play. For some people, smoking or vaping isnt feasible. Someone with lung problems may find smoking too irritating.
See more on marijuanadoctors.com

Effects

  • On the other hand, a person who doesnt understand technology well may feel too intimidated to use a vaporizer. The only dispensary in town could have plenty of smoking products, but nothing for vaping. A persons situation and abilities greatly influence their medical marijuana experience.
See more on marijuanadoctors.com

Prevention

  • Smoking marijuana has a few more hazards than vaping, but you can reduce many of them with simple habits. You cant get rid of all the risks of smoking, but you can minimize them. Marijuana smoke could have a lower impact on your health if you use these strategies:
See more on marijuanadoctors.com

Treatment

  • As you can see, the choice between vaping and smoking depends a lot on your preferences and circumstances. We recommend vaping marijuana if possible because of the irritants that smoking produces. However, we also understand some patients face barriers to vaping that they dont deal with when they smoke.
See more on marijuanadoctors.com

Results

  • Inhalation provides some of the fastest relief available, and sometimes you only have inhalation as an option for your treatment plan. When you choose any medical treatment, you must consider if the benefits outweigh the risks. The risks and benefits of these two methods vary by patient, making every situation different.
See more on marijuanadoctors.com

Diagnosis

  • No Information on MarijuanaDoctors.Com should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. You can view our Full Disclaimer here.
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