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Consuming cannabis can be a great way to improve your quality of life, but choosing the right consumption method is important. There are many different ways to consume cannabis, each with its advantages and disadvantages. So, this blog post will look at the most common methods of consuming cannabis and discuss which is most effective for each situation.
Dry Herb Vaporizers
The first method of cannabis consumption on this list is the dry herb vaporizer, which has quickly become one of the most popular methods of cannabis consumption. What is it? It is a device that allows the user to use heat to vaporize cannabis rather than burn it using combustion.
If the absorption rates for dry herb vaporizers and vaporizers are similar, then about 50 to 80% of THC can be absorbed; this depends on the device used. In addition, the effects from dry herb vaporizers can last up to 4 hours. Moreover, the fan-favorite vaporizers are healthier than combustion methods since the heat generated doesn’t create harmful toxins or carcinogens.
Bongs and Joints
Two of the most iconic forms of cannabis consumption are bongs and joints; even if you don’t consume cannabis, you probably know what these consumption methods are. Bongs are beaker-like devices where cannabis is placed in a bowl, lit with a form of combustion, and the smoke created is inhaled after passing through water which acts as a filtration system.
Joints are like cannabis cigarettes are perhaps one of the more simpler methods of consuming cannabis. But how do these two methods hold up? As it turns out, using these methods would only absorb about 30% of the THC. This obviously doesn’t make much of a difference for most people who don’t consume it often, but it is significantly lower than dry herb vaporizers.
Vaporizers
The next consumption method on this list is the vaporizer. As mentioned above, the absorption rates for a vaporizer, depending on the device, can be anywhere between 50 to 80%, which is quite a lot. In addition to this, vaporizers are very convenient since you can use them to consume whenever and wherever.
What are they? They are basically the same as a regular nicotine vaporizer, but instead of nicotine vape juice, they are filled with THC vape juice. This means they can come in various flavors, which is a big plus for many people.
Edibles
Edibles are also among some of the most iconic methods of cannabis consumption, and you have no doubt heard of “magic muffins”. Edibles, as the name suggests, are food items or beverages infused with THC. They are favored among cannabis consumers that want to experience the effects of cannabis for up to 8 hours.
But how effective are they? You would be surprised to learn that edibles only have an absorption rate of about 35%, but some can be as low as 6%. That said, the experience from edibles is vastly different from that of vaporizers or smoking, and significantly more THC can be used in an edible to make up for the relatively low absorption rate, which means you can still get much higher than when vaping.
Tinctures
Another popular cannabis consumption method, especially by those that consume cannabis for medicinal purposes, is the tincture. Tinctures are small vials filled with THC oil and, in some cases, mixed with carrier oil. They also have a relatively long duration of effects, between 4 to 6 hours.
Are they effective? If you were to use a tincture, you could expect to absorb between 4-20% of the THC, which is similar to an edible. Much like edibles, the amount of THC used in a tincture can more than make up for the relatively low absorption rate.
Dab Rags
Finally, the last consumption method on this list is the dab rig, which according to science, is the most effective method of consuming THC. Dab rigs look very much like bongs; they are beaker-like, filled with water, and have a bowl where the shatter or concentrate is placed.
Why is dabbing the most effective? Because more than 75% of the THC that is inhaled is absorbed, which means that you can consume a lower concentration of THC, but still get more high than using a joint.
