THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the substance in marijuana that gets you high. Research suggests that vaping THC oil—which is a common form among vapers—may damage your lungs and increase your risk of negative side effects. Other ingredients in vape products can harm your lungs, as well.
Is vaping actually healthier for you than smoking?
Some people believe vaping is safer than smoking because it doesn’t involve inhaling smoke. But the reality is, when it comes to vaping marijuana, there’s much less known about the negative health effects. The most recent research suggests vaping THC oil could be quite harmful to lung health.
What are the negative health effects of vaping?
The short-term side effects of using nicotine vapes are usually:
- Lingering aftertaste
- Light-headedness
- Sweating
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
What are the health hazards of vaping?
- Scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.
- Some of the ingredients in e-cigarette aerosol could also be harmful to the lungs in the long-term. ...
- Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.
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 Happens in Vaping?
When a user vapes, the pressure triggers the battery to heat the liquid. It produces the vapor that is inhaled.
How Does a Vape with THC Work?
Vapes or e-cigarettes contain a vaporization chamber or atomizer, rechargeable battery, and a liquid cartridge that has the THC. Moreover, one example of a cannabis compound that can be enjoyed in this way via a vaping device is Delta-8 which can be purchased in the form of Delta-8 carts. Accordingly, you can take a look at this delta 8 carts review if you would like to learn more about this particular type of cannabis compound.
How does THC affect brain function?
The THC in weeds directly affects brain receptors that control a person’s neurological functions and development. When abused, vaping THC can impact your memory and thinking.
How much THC is in marijuana?
Some marijuana oils contain up to 90 percent of THC. If you only start using vapes with marijuana, you have a higher risk of intoxication because it gives a higher amount of THC in your bloodstream.
What is the main component of cannabis?
The fluid has tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC), the main component of cannabis. More and more people are using vapes with THC around the United States. Greenthevoteok did a study that CBD is being used in Vaporizers.
Does vaping marijuana contain CBD?
Vaping marijuana makes use not only of THC or CBD. The vapor also contains compounds that can irritate the lungs. What’s more alarming is that there are no strict regulations in vaping cartridges. When you buy THC products, you don’t know what it really contains since there is no product information.
Is vaping a good idea?
In vaping, you get rid of the combustion process. The vapor is easier on the lungs. However, it doesn’t mean that vaping is safe at all angles. Vaping THC only seems to be less harmful than smoking. 1. You inhale dangerous compounds. Vaping marijuana makes use not only of THC or CBD.
Are Dry Herb Vaporizers Safe?
Some vaporizers may also be better for your health than others. Compounds in cannabis oils and waxes can be adulterated during the manufacturing process to enhance the flavors or consistency of a product. When it comes to dried herb itself, what you see is generally what you get. Abnormalities in dried cannabis can typically be detected at the store—like mold, for example.
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.
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 long does a single oil pen last?
A single oil cartridge can last several weeks.
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.
How long does it take for a puff of cannabis to take effect?
Inhaled cannabis can take 10 to 15 minutes to take effect. “You can take a whole lot of puffs in that time,” Tishler said. “Restraint is a good policy.”. But for users under the age of 25, restraint is the best policy. Many health officials have changed the antiquated “Just Say No” campaign to “Delay, Delay, Delay.”.
How many states allow recreational cannabis?
There are currently 10 states that allow for recreational cannabis use and more than twice as many that allow people to use the substance for medically approved reasons. Because of these changes, more people have become open to the idea of trying cannabis for the first time.
Why is it important to be cautious when using cannabis?
Amanda Winn Lee of “A Mom’s Guide to Cannabis” says people under the age of 25 should exercise extreme caution when using cannabis because a young adult’s brain is still growing and neural development is still occurring.
Is vaping marijuana better than smoking?
in Maryland suggests that vaping marijuana versus smoking it delivers a more powerful punch. Researchers at the school’s Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit tested 17 healthy adults who smoked and vaped various amounts of marijuana — from none to 25 milligrams of THC — for the first time in at least a month.
Does vaping make you high?
A recent study determined that vaping cannabis can produce a significantly stronger high than smoking the drug. Researchers suggest people trying marijuana for the first time build up a tolerance to the drug before vaping it.
Is vaping a good way to consume cannabis?
Vaping has become a popular way for people to consume cannabis. In this manner, the cannabis is housed in a thin, pen-like device. It’s less odorous and more discreet than smoking. Many users also find it much less irritating on their throats than traditional smoking.
Is there a fatal overdose on cannabis?
While a fatal overdose on cannabis has yet to occur , the major risk to any casual cannabis user is overintoxication, which is directly tied to dose, Tishler said.
How much THC is in a concentrate?
The concentrates can contain up to 90 percent THC and, to make it worse, they can also contain decidedly unhealthy substances like lighter fluid and pesticides. The Yale study concluded that rates of vaporizing cannabis using e-cigarettes were high.
How many high school students in Connecticut have tried marijuana?
However, teenagers quickly discovered their potential for inconspicuous marijuana use. In 2015, Yale University researchers surveyed 3,847 Connecticut high school students and found a surprising number of the kids—close to 30 percent—admitted having tried marijuana or hashish.
How old are e-cigarettes?
They also continue to be popular among young adults. According to the CDC, e-cigarette use is significantly higher among 18–24-year-olds .
Is smoking marijuana bad for you?
Many people understand that smoking is bad for your health, and that would certainly include smoking marijuana. This has prompted many cannabis users in recent years to start vaping cannabis as a supposedly healthier and less smelly alternative. E-cigarettes were introduced as a safer alternative to smoking tobacco. However, teenagers quickly discovered their potential for inconspicuous marijuana use. In 2015, Yale University researchers surveyed 3,847 Connecticut high school students and found a surprising number of the kids—close to 30 percent—admitted having tried marijuana or hashish. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, also discovered that nearly one in five e-cigarette smokers have used the device to vaporize cannabis or byproducts like hash oil. Many physicians believe that marijuana use is especially problematic for teenagers and young adults. Krista Lisdahl is the director of the Brain Imaging and Neuropsychology Lab at the University of Wisconsin. She told NPR, “It’s a mistake for teenagers to use cannabis.” “It’s the absolute worst time because the mind-altering drug can disrupt development. Think of the teen years as the last golden opportunity to make the brain as healthy and smart as possible.” Studies show that regular marijuana use can change the structure of the teenage brain, specifically in areas dealing with memory and problem-solving. Unfortunately, the risk perception among children for marijuana use has decreased significantly in the last decade. The low-risk perception is even greater among 18–24-year-olds for 2014. In that cohort, 86.5 percent perceive no great risk from smoking marijuana once a month, the highest low-risk perception of all age groups. In view of these figures, it is hardly surprising to find that widespread marijuana use continues into adulthood. A recent Gallup poll found that 19 percent of 18–29-year-olds are current marijuana users. The same poll revealed that 13 percent of all adults are current cannabis users, up from 7 percent in 2013. Gallup concluded that “states’ willingness to legalize marijuana could be a reason for the uptick in the percentage of Americans who say they smoke marijuana, regardless of whether it is legal in their particular state.” At the same time that the perception of cannabis as harmful is fading, the potency of the drug has increased dramatically in recent decades. Marijuana potency is measured in percentage levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its main psychoactive ingredient. The buds currently vaped in e-cigarettes are 15–20 times more powerful than the weed baby boomers smoked in the 1970s. Concentrated liquid forms of marijuana are even more problematic. So-called butane hash oil (BHO) can be substituted for the nicotine solution in many e-cigarettes, and some vendors even sell e-cigarettes specifically designed for use with marijuana leaves or wax infused with THC. The concentrates can contain up to 90 percent THC and, to make it worse, they can also contain decidedly unhealthy substances like lighter fluid and pesticides. The Yale study concluded that rates of vaporizing cannabis using e-cigarettes were high. “These findings raise concerns about the lack of e-cigarette regulations and the potential use of e-cigarettes for purposes other than vaping nicotine.” “The increased use of e-cigarettes by teens is deeply troubling,” says CDC Director Tom Frieden. “Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. Many teens who start with e-cigarettes may be condemned to struggling with a lifelong addiction to nicotine and conventional cigarettes.” They also continue to be popular among young adults. According to the CDC, e-cigarette use is significantly higher among 18–24-year-olds.
Can you use butane hash oil in e-cigarettes?
Concentrated liquid forms of marijuana are even more problematic. So-called butane hash oil (BHO) can be substituted for the nicotine solution in many e-cigarettes, and some vendors even sell e-cigarettes specifically designed for use with marijuana leaves or wax infused with THC.
Can e-cigarettes vaporize cannabis?
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, also discovered that nearly one in five e-cigarette smokers have used the device to vaporize cannabis or byproducts like hash oil. Many physicians believe that marijuana use is especially problematic for teenagers and young adults.
Does marijuana affect the brain?
Studies show that regular marijuana use can change the structure of the teenage brain, specifically in areas dealing with memory and problem-solving. Unfortunately, the risk perception among children for marijuana use has decreased significantly in the last decade. The low-risk perception is even greater among 18–24-year-olds for 2014.
How do vape pens collapse a lung?
Vitamin E acetate is not water-soluble but also replaces the natural surfactant that lines the inside of your lungs.
What are the surfactants in the Warburg Effect?
The surfactants, Vitamin E acetate and Polysorbate 80 , block this messenger and potentially slow down cell division. This might ramp lung damage if the surrounding tissues are not fed enough oxygen (Warburg Effect). New tissue will still need to form via cell division if lung tissue is attacked by a toxin and killed in any condition.
What is the messenger that drives cell division?
In an anaerobic environment, cell division is driven by the messenger, PIK3. In symmetry, the messenger helps cancer, but also healthy tissues to grow in replace of dead cells. But, the tocopherols found in lethal THC vapes block this messenger.
What is the PI3K in 2021?
(2) This detailed the importance of a messenger known as PI3K. Cell-division in the immune system , as well as cancerous tissue, is driven by this special messenger. ...
Can vape pens cause lung collapse?
Lung collapse by tocopherols (vitamin E acetate) is far easier to explain than the tissue damage caused by these THC vape pens. To be frank, though, we cannot yet explain what happens to THC in a vape pen—let alone other additives.
Does THC inhibit messengers?
In greater detail, the full function of the messenger (PIK3) is not black and white. (3) In contrast, THC can inhibit but also activate the messenger for different reasons. Unlike vaporized Vitamin E acetate, however, oral doses of cannabinoids maintain homeostasis.
Does cannabis cause cancer?
Cannabis ‘s natural polypharmacy works on a highly balanced rhythm that does not cause the same risk of cancer or lung damage as THC vapes. So, it is typically ill-advised to alter this balance unnaturally.
Why are e-cigarettes bad for youth?
These are similar in nature to vaporizers used for marijuana, and can greatly impact youth because of the potential cancer-causing substances they release.
How many states allow medical marijuana?
The research on medical marijuana looks promising. However, we still don’t know whether it’s an effective treatment. Beyond that, only 31 states , as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia allow the use of marijuana for medical use.
Why are cigarettes dangerous?
The reason cigarettes are dangerous isn’t because of the nicotine. The tar and other chemicals that cause emphysema or cancer make it so dangerous. Burning or inhaling is a bad idea. That’s why we will probably discover that marijuana is bad for your lungs, too.”.
What is the Foram?
As a passionate vegan, environmentalist, and animal rights advocate , Foram hopes to continue using the power of the written word to promote health education and help everyday people live better, fuller lives on a healthier planet. Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2018.
What is the active ingredient in marijuana?
Two drugs that are a synthetic laboratory version with chemical structure of or similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another active ingredient in marijuana, are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What is the best medicine for seizures?
Studies are currently underway to evaluate the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound found in marijuana. CBD shows promise as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions, including: seizures. cancer. mental illness. addiction. chronic pain.
Can bullae cause shortness of breath?
Bullae can cause shortness of breath. They can also become infected or rupture, causing the lung to collapse. People with significant bullae may require surgery for treatment. Marijuana smoke may also increase the risk of developing lung cancer, according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS).
Why are vape pens going under?
But with cannabis testing regulations going into effect July 1, Green believes many vape brands will go under due to a lack of compliant product and increased costs related to compliance. "So, you're going to start to see some consolidation among the brands," he said. "There won't be 45 vape pens on the shelf.".
What heating element is used in vape pens?
The actual heating element can vary, from ceramic to glass to metal. Green said the nichrome (or nickel-chromium) wire — the same type of heating mechanism you'll find in a toaster — is the most common heating element found in vape pens.
What is the silver tip on a vape pen?
Green said many vape pens also have silver tips (the part you suck on), which are nickel or chrome plating . "You don't see those on medical devices because they aren't safe," he said. (He said Dosist uses medical-grade plastic for its exterior.)
Why is vaping so popular?
Vaporizing cannabis has grown in popularity in recent years due to its convenience, discretion, and perceived health benefits. But there are safety concerns.
How hot does cannabis oil need to be to be aerosolized?
While cannabis oil only needs to be heated between 160- and 190-degrees Celsius to begin to aerosolize, vaping devices do not heat evenly or consistently. People also use the products differently.
Where are vape pens made?
Jeremy Green, COO of vape pen company Dosist, noted that almost all vape pens are made in Shenzhen, China, which bills itself as the headquarters of the e-cig industry. (Vape pens are made from the same device as e-cigarettes.) The actual heating element can vary, from ceramic to glass to metal.
What temperature is PG 400?
A more recent study, published in November 2017, tested four common thinning agents — PG, PEG 400, vegetable glycerin (VG), and medium chain triglycerides (MCT) — used by the cannabis industry, heating them to 230-degrees Celsius (or 446 -degrees Fahrenheit), the temperature appropriate for cannabis oil vaporization. The results showed that PG and PEG 400, in particular, produced high levels of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde when heated. With PEG 400, formaldehyde production was nearly the equivalent of smoking one cigarette, the researchers found.
How does THC affect the body?
THC interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors that controls a wide variety of functions. One of these functions is saliva production — and THC inhibits it by preventing the glands in your mouth from producing more.
Is THC a psychoactive substance?
At the same time, THC does come with a few detrimental strings attached. As a psychoactive substance, it can make some activities more dangerous ( like driving ), and while it does have undeniable therapeutic potential, like many medicines, it comes with a range of side effects. Ignoring or denying the dangers of THC isn’t helpful or productive.
Is THC a medicine?
THC has undeniable therapeutic potential, but, like many medicines, it comes with a range of side effects. Image Credit: By 271 EAK MOTO on shutterstock.
Does THC cause hunger?
Hunger is another body function controlled by the ECS. In this case, THC doesn’t inhibit the receptors that trigger it, but sends them into overdrive. This is why cannabis use is often associated with “the munchies.”
Does THC affect memory?
Researchers have found that prolonged use of THC is linked with a decline in memory. One study of cannabis-using students found that 59 percent of them sometimes forgot the topic of a conversation before it finished, while 41 percent found it more difficult to remember what they read after using cannabis (though it should be noted that the sample size was extremely small, with only 150 participants).
Does THC affect mental health?
According to multiple studies, THC can be detrimental to one’s goal-directed mental activity (in colloquial terms, it can make it harder to think straight). Since it can also impair coordination and psychomotor skills, some people tend to make poor decisions while under the influence of THC.
Is THC bad for your heart?
This can be dangerous for anyone with a heart issue such as arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat), as the jump in heart rate caused by THC is immediate and can last for hours. According to some studies, THC can cause your heart rate to increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute. This is concerning if you have any kind of heart disease, as it raises your risk of having a heart attack.
What is Pure THC?
Pure THC is exactly what it sounds like: a purified version of THC. While people smoke marijuana or eat regular marijuana edibles for the THC, standard cannabis extracts contain a limited amount of THC.
How is Pure THC made?
This is typically achieved by a process known as short-path distillation, or fractional distillation. While not a new method, cannabis distillation has become more popular recently with the growing demand for high-strength THC products.
What is THC crystal?
THC crystals are perhaps what first comes to mind when you think of cannabis concentrates. These products have gained a reputation for their astonishing potency, and are the popular THC option of choice for the most hardened of consumers!
How much THC is in cannabis?
The strongest cannabis available may have up to 20 to 25% THC, but the rest of the plant is comprised of other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and plant compounds. Cannabis cultivators have done everything possible to grow stronger cannabis that delivers better highs, but there is only so much that can be done. And that’s where pure THC comes in.
How to separate THC from marijuana?
But before short-path distillation can occur, the THC must first be separated from the marijuana plant, ideally via the gold standard supercritical CO2 extraction technique. This process separates out the THC and any other important compounds. Fats and lipids are then removed from the extract via a process known as winterization, which involves a solvent such as ethanol.
How much THC is in a marijuana bud?
Whereas THC levels in marijuana buds typically top out at around 25%, a pure THC product can contain as much as 99.99% THC. Subsequently, pure THC does not contain any CBD, or any of the other cannabinoids found in marijuana. Pure THC is ideal for powerful highs, but the rich THC content means tolerance builds quickly.
How to vaporize THC?
For the full, mind-blowing high, you’ll want to vaporize pure THC crystals, using either a vaporizer designed for extracts, or by dabbing them with a dab rig. This works by heating up a nail, “ dabbing” the concentrate on the nail, and inhaling that THC-rich vapor.
