Vaping, or vaporizing, is the process of heating up raw plant matter or extracts, without combustion. Instead of burning weed, tobacco or hash, vaping gently heats up these substances to limit the release of harmful chemicals and maximize the plant’s intended effects. Cannabis is typically vaporized at no less than 285°F but no greater than 450°F, and tobacco vapes at temps between 250°F and 300°F. Vapor has more in common with a cloud of steam than with a puff of smoke. And even though vaping reduces the effects of secondhand smoke, it doesn’t mean you’re not experiencing a drug’s effects.
The trend is everywhere, so much so that people are outlawing it inside. But how do vapes work?
Did you know that there’s been a decrease in smoking thanks to vaping? According to the World Health Organization, the number of vapers has increased to roughly 35 million and people tend to buy vaporizer for sale instead of normal cigarettes.
Electronic cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes. E-cigs come in a variety of forms including vape mods and vape pens.
So what does this mean? What the heck is vaping and how do vapes work?
Don’t sweat. Here’s everything you need to know!
What Is Vaping?
First of all, when someone says they’re going to “vape,” what do they mean?
Vaping gives a person the feeling of smoking. It works by heating a liquid to generate an aerosol which is better known as a “vapor.” That’s the smoke you see from someone using a vape pen.
E-cigs don’t burn anything, unlike a hookah. The liquid mixture vaporizes. The vapor does not contain harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.
This is why smokers looking to quit turn to vaping. They get that smoking feeling without inhaling all the nasty chemicals into their lungs.
What’s In Vape Juice?
Most vape juices contain propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin. The rest in the vaporizer is a mixture of water, food-grade flavoring, and nicotine (if you choose that route).
What Can You Vape?
It depends on the vaporizer you have. People tend to smoke cannabis or put nicotine in their vapes. Unfortunately, people vaporize heroin and meth too, but it’s not recommended.
In a nutshell, you can vape about anything. Be smart about it and no one will get hurt.
How Do Vapes Work?
Now that you know what you can smoke, how do vapes work?
Simple!
Fire the pen up and inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece. That’s it! Some of the pens include a cartridge or an 18650 battery. Read more of such vaping tips to become a pro vaper.
For beginners, stick to the pre-packaged kits with everything included before you vape off on your own. If your friends vape and you’re annoyed by the smoke in your home, buy them an air purifier so they’ll get the hint.
How To Inhale
Thought this was a huff and puff? Think again.
There are two types of inhaling techniques: mouth-to-lung and a direct-lung.
Mouth-to-lung
Bring the vapor to your mouth and hold it in your closed mouth for a couple seconds. Open your mouth and breathe it into your lungs.
Finally, exhale after the vapor is in your lungs.
Direct Lung
Simple enough, draw the vapor to your lungs and exhale it immediately. Easy, right?
Is Vaping Safer?
Vaping isn’t as bad for your health as cigarettes. For marijuana users, the main difference is how fast it’s delivered to your brain.
Using a vape pen can get you high fast if that’s what you’re looking to do.
Your Move Next
Now that you know the answer to the question, “How do vapes work?” it’s your decision on whether it’s the best option for you.
Is vaping “safer” than smoking?
Is vaping bad for your health? The idea that vaping is “safer” than smoking is a complicated one. For marijuana and other recreationally used substances, the main difference is the speed at which drugs are delivered to the brain. So, this means that you can get really high, really fast, and potentially engage in dumb or dangerous behavior. As for the “removal of combustion toxins,” little research has been done on how much better for you vaping weed is better than lighting it in a bong.
For people who smoke cigarettes regularly, Dr. Holly Middlekauff, professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at UCLA who completed studies on nicotine pens says, “I would not discourage a tobacco smoker from switching to e-cigarettes, but we need more research on vaping risks and how the two compare. I would definitely discourage a non-smoker from starting to use e-cigarettes.” Middlekauff’s 2017 study found that e-cig smokers were just as likely to experience cardiac risks and heart abnormalities as people who puffed regular cigarettes.
Middlekauff’s findings may seem obvious, misinformation about the “benefits” of smoking e-cigs is widespread. One unverified website suggested that e-cigs improve mental performance and intelligence. Another questionably sourced page outlines a plan for using e-cigs as part of a program to quit smoking. Unfortunately, it seems that vaping has led to more people addicted to nicotine, not less. A study conducted by researchers at Dartmouth College’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center estimated that kids and teens who vape are three times more likely start smoking cigarettes than ones who don’t. The study compiled data that found that in 2015, 168,000 American young adults who went from being non-smokers got hooked after only vaping once. By contrast, only 2,070 cigarette-smoking adults were able to use e-cigarettes to quit in the same year.
So if you don’t already smoke cigarettes, just don’t vape nicotine. It won’t make you any smarter and it will make it harder to quit.
