This is the year you get your lungs back. We’re all still going to enjoy ourselves, but let’s stop treating our lungs like they're indestructible.
According to health experts, there's no "totally safe" way to smoke, but there are methods that are significantly less harmful.
When you use a standard lighter and a basic pipe, you’re dealing with these problems:
-
Tar: The physical byproduct of burning plant matter that coats your airways. Filled with carcinogens.
-
Extreme Heat: High-temp smoke causes immediate tissue inflammation and coughing.
-
Carbon Monoxide: A byproduct of combustion that hitches a ride on your oxygen receptors. This is the devil behind the myth that holding a hit in your lungs gets you higher (we debunk that in the FAQs at the end)
Here are the main 4 elements to fight the problem:
- Heat
- Filtration
- Cooling
- Hygiene
Let's break each one down, and I'll recommend a few products that would help us master all 4 elements.
Heat
Healthline notes that "vaporizing actual cannabis flower is significantly less harmful to your respiratory system than traditional smoking". By using precision heating, you release cannabinoids without reaching the "burn point" where carcinogens are created.
Although we still don't know the long-term effects of vaping, we know that it minimizes the damage of two out of the three problems listed above: tar and carbon monoxide.
When you light up, you burn the cannabis to get all the good stuff, but that also produces tar which is filled with carcinogens and other toxins. Tar is a sticky and thick substance, when you inhale it you create a coating on your lungs that's filled with all these toxic chemicals. Your lungs are able to clean themselves, but by adding more and more layers, your lungs get overwhelmed, and permanent damage is likely.
The reason Healthline stated that vaporizing cannabis flower is less harmful is due to vaporizers using convection heating. This does not burn cannabis and does not produce tar. Additionally, since you're not burning anything, carbon monoxide isn't a factor anymore.
Disclaimer: Even when using a dry herb vaporizer, you can burn cannabis, so make sure to use the correct heat setting to prevent it from reaching the "burn point"
Recommended Vaporizers:
-
Affordable and Portable: XVAPE XMAX Starry 4.0
-
The Industry Standard: Storz & Bickel Volcano Classic (Onyx Edition)
-
The Smart E-Rig: Puffco Peak Pro (3DXL Chamber)
Shop All Vaporizers
Filtration
Water is a start, but extra filtration is a must. Health experts recommend sticking to glass bongs and pipes to avoid chemicals like BPA found in plastic, and let's face it, it's a whole lot more flavorful! Adding a physical filter traps microscopic resin before it hits your throat.
We've already concluded that tar and carbon monoxide are huge threats to the health of our lungs. When we add a filter, we are able to prevent certain toxins from making it through. Plus, filtration adds extra steps for the smoke to cool down a bit which make it less shocking to the lungs. and doesn't irritate them as much. (we'll maximize that in the cooling section below)
If you're an OG that favors rolling, you can still find filters that reduce your exposure significantly. Companies like TOKR Filters have created innovative technology that utilizes SAP beads with micro-pores. These pores have immense surface area to trap tar and harmful byproducts while preserving the flavor and effects of your smoke. They also come with a silicone mouthpiece that adds some travel to the smoke to cool it down a notch.
Recommended Filters & Ashcatchers:
-
For Joints & Blunts: TOKR Filter Mouthpiece (Traps tar while you're rolling).
-
For Bongs & Rigs: Moose Labs MouthPeace (The gold standard for clean bong rips).
-
External Ash-Catcher: Human Grade Spiral Perc Ash Catcher (Stops gunk before it even enters your piece).
Shop All Filtration & Accessories
Cooling
We've talked about tar which damages your lower lungs, but it's time to talk about the real culprit of upper lung damage. Heat is the enemy of lung health, irritating your airways and causing severe inflammation. Dropping the smoke temperature allows your lungs to expand naturally without that burning sensation.
Cooling the smoke is usually done with water filtration, adding some ice, or even adding an ash-catcher. All these options target extra filtration, increasing smoke travel and cooling. For the connoisseurs, using glycerin coils is more effective and practical.
Recommended Cooling Gear:
-
Glycerin Coils: Freeze Pipe Mini Bong w/ Revolver Coil
-
High-Perc Glass: AFM The Triple Hitter 9mm
Shop All Percolator Bongs
Hygiene
A dirty bong isn't just gross, it's a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Keeping your gear medical-grade clean ensures you aren't inhaling old ash or stagnant water.
We talked above about the toxins created from a fresh sesh. Imagine how much more damaging the leftovers would be. When you're done with a sesh and leave your set-up uncleaned, things start to fester. At this point, you're introducing even more harmful toxins to that tar lining if you start a new smoke sesh without cleaning out the old one.
Cleaning doesn't have to be a pain. You can get the right attachments to keep things easy to maintain, like the Mary-Go-Round Bowl, which is super simple to clear and clean. Bundle that up with a cleaning solution, and you've got maintenance on easy mode.
Recommended for Maintenance:
-
Anti-Clog Tech: Mary Go Round Bowl (Built-in cleaning for fresh hits).
-
Advanced Cleaner: Formula 710 Advanced Glass Cleaner (No-scrub solution).
- All-in-one-Kit: Glass Bath Kit (everything you need to clean your glass)
FAQ
Does holding in smoke get you higher?
No. While it is a common myth, scientific evidence indicates that holding your breath for an extended period does not increase the absorption of THC.
The Science Breakdown:
- Fast Absorption: The lungs absorb up to 95% of the available THC within the first few seconds.
- The "Head Rush" is Oxygen Deprivation: The dizzy feeling you experience from holding in a hit is actually a result of oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and carbon monoxide buildup.
- Increased Damage: Holding smoke in longer increases the amount of tar and toxins that settle in your lungs.
How to get the most out of a hit safely?
Take a slow, deep inhale followed by a normal exhale (a 1-2 second pause is plenty).
Is vaping flower better for your lungs than smoking?
Yes. Vaporizers heat flower to release cannabinoids without reaching combustion. This avoids the creation of smoke, which contains harmful carbon monoxide and heavy tars.
Why should I use glass instead of plastic or metal?
Borosilicate glass is non-porous and chemically inert. Plastic can off-gas toxins like BPA when heated. Glass is the cleanest way to ensure you are only inhaling your herb.
