Inhaling Medical Cannabis: Comparing Vaping vs. Smoking | Ask Dr. David

[@chemdogog8782]

Thank you for putting this out there for people to hear. There’s a lot of confusions with the different forms of smoking/vaping and one way could be way healthier than another.

[@DrDavidMD]

Thank you!! FYI - we were told there was a long freeze in this video, so we uploaded the full video again at kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3iamI2mm52Cpsk

[@Jeff_Guapo]

I was fighting COVID, and might i tell you guys! The vape let me enjoy my herbs without all the irritation of my respiratory system.

[@greatshark888]

Dr. Dave I just got my medical Marijuana card because I suffer from PTSD and other medical issues. I've been smoking for years to help me with this. Today I got my first dose from a dispensery and was very impressed with the experience. The only thing I can say is that it seemed pure and a totally different feeling then I'm used to. I was so much more relaxed and my mind was clear. Your video on dry vaping vs smoking was very informative. The way you described things was very understandable. I subscribed so I can enjoy watching more of your videos to gain more knowledge on the subject.

[@DrDavidMD]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am so glad you had a positive experience with the dispensary product(s) you used. I am also delighted you found the video helpful. Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@AboveAverageGamer1]

Vaping it has drastically reduced the amounts i've consumed. I am a chronic user of over 10 years due to medical reasons, and 7 years ago I could and often would smoke at least 2grams up to 3.5 grams of flower a day, my cough was horrible. Since commiting to dry herb vaping, I now have success staying medicated all day off .75 grams of flower at the most. I will admit I have a multitude of dry herb vape devices, it seems absurd, but they all perform differently for different situations and medical applications. It can get costly depending on what kind of device you want for your use case but it will pay itself off so fast if you just commit to the process. Take a t-break for a couple days before trying the first time. Edit: for clarification, I am talking about dry herb vaping, NOT carts, not dabs, not hash. Regular flower thermally extracted straight to my lungs. Way cleaner than dabs

[@InklanUtterfield]

May I ask you whether your cough has improved or stayed the same since making the switch to vaping?

[@DrDavidMD]

@AboveAverageGamer1 - So glad to hear this, thank you for sharing!

[@AboveAverageGamer1]

​​@@InklanUtterfield i definitely still cough, maybe even more because vapor irritates my throat more than smoke but even so the cough is not as severe. I don't get lightheaded and "see stars" from my coughing now either. Drinking water before and during the vape session definitely reduces coughing. Vaping has helped reduce phlegm as well and it's now clear/white instead of brown/black. Sorry if that's TMI. There are cons as well, but it's vastly healthier. My lungs are working better for sure

[@InklanUtterfield]

@@AboveAverageGamer1 Thank you for your input. I only noticed the message notification now, thanks.

[@dbarbour8352]

I feel the same way buddy. Vaping oil is far cheaper than buying flowers.

[@raindabz]

Hey doc, since no one has told you yet, there is a very long freeze towards the beginning of the video. Great video so you might want to reupload!

[@DrDavidMD]

Thank you for letting me know! Something happened with YT at upload. I have re-uploaded the video. Take a look here listen to the missing part: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3iamI2mm52Cpsk Thank you again!

[@grimzadi2480]

I have been exclusively vaping flower since March. Total game changer. I bought an Old Head Dab Ready with the Terp hammer. If you use THC, this is the way to do it.

[@SERENASOPHIE]

I have my consultation in a few days, i suffer from ptsd and agoraphobia, im bricking it! 😢 Due to feeling overwhelmed at finally being honest, feels sereal, im 58 and have used on and off for over 30 years. Now its ok on prescription 😮 iv got a lot of emotions to deal with but its all good 🎉 thank you for your video 🙏

[@markcostello4937]

Best of luck 👍

[@user-xh4mu5eq3s]

I have never really enjoyed smoking and switched to vaping when I got my prescription approved. It definitely feels less harsh on the throat, but how sticky the vape gets makes me wonder what its like inside my lungs. Probably still better than the combustion of smoking though I guess

[@mart4144]

Switched to live rosin vape carts recently, and they are absolutely great. Totally worth it

[@DrDavidMD]

glad to hear it helped!

[@gabrieljohnson1854]

Make sure to store your live rosin carts in the fridge if you don't the terpenes will die. Look it up online if you don't believe me. God bless

[@ianrobinson3410]

As a medical cannabis extraction technician, while I strongly agree that the live rosin vape cartridges are the best for effectively dosing the concentrates correctly, live rosin "dabbing" through a quartz glass heating element and using water filtration to further reduce the temperature of the vaporized product. I also argue that Live Resin extracts, when extracted and purged correctly, offer a more significant entourage effect due to better preservation of cannabinoids and terpenes that are destroyed at lower temperatures.

[@ianrobinson3410]

The reasoning behind my slight opposition to cartridge devices stems mostly from the fact that they are hot and very aggressive heating elements

[@DrDavidMD]

Appreciate you sharing - thank you for chiming in with your expertise!

[@boolaidman471]

Definitely agree but still don’t agree on the extraction of Live or cured resin, l believe concentrates should be solventless

[@ianrobinson3410]

@boolaidman471 the science behind cannabis bho extraction starts within the realm of caffeine extraction of coffee, many closed loop bho and distillation systems today are designed off the principles in which caffeine extracts are produced. Certain other essential oil extracts can be obtained this way. If your issue with bho is simply it being a solvent, then you don't understand cannabis extracts at all- terpenes act like a solvent to thca in percents as low as 4% and we're at a stage where solventless extracts can completely isolate the different compounds in the extract, and utilize the mechanically seperated terps to seed thca crystal formation from the isolate. If your issue is potentially consuming butane/propane/hexane/heptane, etc as an individual component, leave your wax in the car on a hot day while parked in the sun. You won't notice too much of a change unless you're working with crumble, but if you're working with crumble, it's already at non detect for hydrocarbons. If your issue is crc bleaching, do some research, reach out to the producers, find out what they're doing and why. Plenty of extractors are willing to share that info. Some people still blast without remediation in any step. 15 years ago I would have whole heartedly agreedwith you, the technology was not up to par and people were still safe guarding techniques but times have changed... buy better quality product or suffer the consequences... and not all solventless is high quality. Large legal retailers are starting to irradiate material before selling/processing it. Flower, hash, solventless, and edibles. Legal market isn't any safer than black market these days

[@kentaylor2416]

After my first puff on a dry herb vape, I knew I would never smoke again.

[@Jamie-pn2xj]

i havent combusted it for over a year now and it is so much better!

[@DrDavidMD]

Great choice - I would never encourage anyone to smoke anything!

[@AbrahamCenteno-pl5de]

Same

[@johnpatz8395]

I got a ball vape a few months ago, and while I was hesitant because of the cost, but it was well worth the cost

[@nocando5365]

Is it not harsh it makes you cough like if you smoke bud on it's own in a bong?

[@jahshaman]

I was given a Silver Surfer brand of dry flower vaporizer, like on demand , not the volcano bs, and I quit smoking everything. I quit smoking tobacco, herb, and just began vaporizing good herbs, at low temperature... It was pure bliss. Lately I have been challenged to get the same device, after my last one failed. So... I just smoke, and it sucks...,

[@DrDavidMD]

So glad the video was helpful - and thank you for letting me know!

[@joestatham7106]

Most informative video on yt about the topic, bravo 👏

[@DrDavidMD]

Thanks!

[@gorfilm]

Thank you Doc for informative video! Unfortunately, I discovered that there are studies confirming that dry herb vaping still produces high concentrations of pm2.5. For example, you can find them by words "Measuring Aerosol Particle Emissions from Cannabis Vaporization and Dabbing" and 'Particles emissions from dry chamomile vaporization' . Perhaps you have any additional information/opinion on this matter? I would be extremely grateful if you share some knowledge

[@spittingfire420]

In California it's very easy to find flower over %30 😁🤘

[@CANNABISCANNABISSTATIONTIME]

I love Texas in the springtime I love cannabis all year round❤

[@celliott8338]

The best way to consume flower is a ball vape, like a B1 flower pot from cannabis hardware. And rosin or bubble hash in a puffco or carta product

[@VisionaryPro-um1gj]

I prefer consuming through my volcano medic 2, however, since start vaping 6 months ago, I have been feeling more lethargic than joints.

[@bretadams9604]

Dr. David, I remember you from school bro. Awesome

[@suki_rz]

the performance of dry herb vaporizers can vary greatly, I'd say portable devices struggle to extract quickly for the most part. There are very good desktop ones that you can plug to a water pipe, those are called "ball vapes" and will extract very quickly and efficiently, I think they are the best for heavy medical usage. about dabs, it's actually vaping too, the cannabis oil is heated in a banger either with a torch or a coil and there is no combustion either.

[@Jonathapproach]

POTV LOBO!! Rips

[@suki_rz]

@@Jonathapproach Tinymight 2 is the only portable device I respect

[@Alexrocks1253]

Could you do one for oil vape vs dry herb vs edibles? I’m mainly concerned about health effects and potential for tolerance building.

[@DrDavidMD]

Hi - thanks for reaching out. I will pass this on to my production team to see if we can fit it into the recording queue. Thanks for reaching out!

[@DrDavidMD]

@Alexrocks1253 - Check out this video I did, which I hope will answer what you're asking about! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYe0imSimrGFeacsi=v-ZSecoc9448klYa

[@Alexrocks1253]

@@DrDavidMD partially! I’ll look at the inhalation video as well. Just that recently with the LA Times article about pesticides I’m trying to stay mindful of what I’m consuming and how I do it.

[@spfein]

I prefer smoking but since covid my sinuses hate too much smoking I'll start drowning in mucus but its very runny, sticky type and clear almost like distillate actually. So I do oral and supplement vaping as well.

[@tomhart4977]

So in your opinion, would dry herb vaping be the healthiest method of consumption? And what would you say the risks are to lung health, with regards to cancer, COPD, bronchitis etc... if any

[@unknownawakening6507]

The only thing that would be healthier would be edibles since it doesn’t go through your lungs. That being said, vaping is way healthier than smoking. I think it’s healthier than concentrates, but i’m not really sure

[@nachnamevorhanden3335]

@@unknownawakening6507 it is amazing how everyone does not get the question. everyone knows that vaping is not as bad as smoking. He asked What are the risks of dry herb vaping alone? not compared to smoking. not compared to eating. not compared to concentrates. He asked if he will risk getting chronic bronchitis, COPD or lung cancer if he vapes weed. I'd say vaping dry herb is way more healthy than stuffing an angry racoon into your airways.

[@boolaidman471]

There are no risks of bronchitis or COPD with dry herb vaping ASLONG as the herb has no pesticides or pgr’s, the only risk with vaping is that if the herb contains pesticides or pgr’s vaping it could create toxic fumes that are very very dangerous. Use CLEAN herb only

[@greenblue6935]

But cannabis flower contains 100's of chemicals, not just THC/CBD, surely the synergy between all the chemicals is important and not just isolating one chemical, I never understand why the medical industry work this way?

[@TedMishler]

What works great for me, is to take my weed, say an eighth ounce, grind it in a coffee grinder, then in the oven at 280 degrees to dry it good, then in a clean cappuccino bottle, filled with 180 degree water, and I shake it around, in less then half hour, the clean 180 degree water turns a dark orange, which I filter out using a coffee filter in a sifter, then, I'll purge again, or if I only want a single purge I stop, squeeze out the water from the coffee filter holding the eighth of weed, I then wrap it in a clean shirt, roll it up three rolls, them I stand on it, to semi dry it, to where then I put the wrapped coffee filtered weed inside my soxhlet chamber and process it with acetone, keeping the condencer cold with ice cubes...a small ebay 12 volt pump keeps the water flowing from the ice water to the condenser ... I've tried using vacuum pump to purge which seems to purge faster, but I notice bumping at reduced atmosphere, from the water flashing to steam in the Soxhlet, and I don't like bumping, it can break the boiling flask, so, I don't soxhlet the oil out under reduced atmospheric pressures til I figure out how to achieve it without the bumping... But vacuum pumping the purge is no problem... Only thing is, is that soxhletting using a vacuum pump yields an amber colored oil, because acetone boils under reduced atmospheric pressure pretty close to room temperature under a vacuum eliminating thc degradation, which is why no dark oil is seen which indicate the heat degraded the oil a little normally under no vacuum .. Hmm, after thinking about this, I should some way figure out how to dry the weed prior to soxhletting, as I may be able to soxhlet using a vacuum, if theres no water, which has a bad habit of bumping, where the water flashes to steam, and can damage the boiling flask, and then, the poor oil would mix with the hot water in the hot pan, wasting it... So until then I make do soxhletting without a vacuum, and true, the oil turns a black color, but it's still very good and far less coughy to toke than bud

[@TedMishler]

Umm typo.. Should have been 180 degree oven... Weed degraded I read over that temp...

[@TedMishler]

280 degrees not 280 sheesh

[@TedMishler]

180 degrees anything over I think degrades the effects

[@TedMishler]

I learned soxhleting, although does work, pulverized weed placed inside a capuccino bottle acetone added a little under the lavel of the weed, vacuum from an air intake from a fridge pump applied, causes boiling if acetone inside the bottle, which quickly removes most of the thc oil, a kot faster than slow soxhletting

[@TedMishler]

180, that's why I need to proof read always before posting, but always seem to be in some rush

[@thesjkexperience]

I’ve smoked almost 50 years. I wanted a flower vape for health reasons, but it bothers my lungs 😢. I prefer my bong, but my sleep gummies are so strong I can’t get high anymore.

[@bluedream7458]

Try a dry flower herb vaporizer you could get them going from anyways from 40 to several hundred dollars. I bought one for 110 and it works great. Bought it two years ago best investment.smoking weed 47 years here this saved me lol

[@gambarusso]

Thank you

[@guido69x]

Im an active daylly smoker!!!I started vaping dry herbs 2 days ago!!!First its kindda odd and weird,feels like Im inhalling directly from the bag without lightning up!!!It tastes great though!But I dont think its as much satisfatory as when thers combustion!Obviously this can vary according the vapeur used,how grinded is the herb,temp...

[@stumerchant]

Try a dynavap, i was the same as you at first, I didn't get that satisfaction like smoking. Had the xmax and arizer xq2 but they were just missing something. Tried the dynavap and haven't looked back. Most efficient and flavourful vape I've ever used. Feels much more like smoking.

[@KJwess]

So vaping is overall better when it comes to getting high

[@serenalite]

Thank you!

[@DrDavidMD]

You're very welcome!

[@Dsiegel7]

What about independent dispensaries? Are they as trustworthy as medical ones?

[@DrDavidMD]

@Dsiegel7 - Hi! Without knowing what state you are in, I don't if you are talking about legal recreational in that state. If you are referring to recreational cannabis, even if legal where you are, I am unable to comment. In Florida, in addition to legal medical cannabis dispensaries, we have smoke shops , which sell a wide array of products, In Florida, these smoke shops are weakly regulated, and I have no faith in the quality of their products. If Florida's Amendment 3 ballot measure passes (for legal adult recreational use), I presume non-medical dispensaries would have to ensure safety and accuracy, similar to they do for medical dispensaries. Hope that helps!

[@gabrieljohnson1854]

I vape and smoke cannabis from my experience dry herb vaping is the best although I smoke everyday I use premium gum and organic hemp gum rolling papers. I use cannabis for back pain and dry herb vaping is better it's more potent but I enjoy my joints.

[@DrDavidMD]

Glad you are getting ReLeaf!

[@joeborovina4769]

I know people who are nauseous naturally

[@ProfessorPartyPants]

Odd question for you, do you know the effects of vaping with a bicuspid aortic valve?

[@DrDavidMD]

@ProfessorPartyPants - hi, unfortunately I do not. If you find info on this, please share!

[@sirvapalot]

I dont appreciate needing a doctors authorisation to use a herb

[@FnVRGaming]

Hi Dr David. I use a mighty medic vape with a hose adapter into a triple chamber water pipe with ICE. Trying to achieve the cleanest way of inhalation. Could you comment or add to my set up if there's a way to improve it further? What are your thoughts on this? I haven't seen any videos covering this...

[@DrDavidMD]

@FnVRGaming - Hi. Assuming that the flower itself is clear of pesticides, metals, molds etc, the only thing that I would verify is that the temperature of the Mighty is set to where there is not combustion. If there are heavy puffs of smoke appearing exhaled air, or the used flower is very dark brown to black, there could still be combustion happening. Hope that helps!

[@jsofficial3136]

Hey doctor ive had 3 lung collapses first time I was working out downstairs working out I felt a pop si I went upstairs n smoked while i inhales my chest hurt I rushed to the hospital n they told me it was a lung collapse i continúe smoking n it happened again months later so they did ploradises n I stopped fully but it happened again n the same king collapsed 25% from the bottom they said it was bcz i carried heavy bags at work right now my whole lung is attached to my chest wall any advice on smoking. Edibles dont hit the same havent smoked like thag in a while but ive tried the live rosin n it hasnt collapses

[@PianoMessage]

Sorry to hear this happened. How are you doing now?

[@sirvapalot]

Have you ever had cannabis in your bloodstream Dr

[@fettuccinealraver]

What are your thoughts on dry herb vaping as a healthier alternative to smoking as far as the effects on the cardiovascular system? I’ve seen a lot of studies about THC being bad no matter what for your heart, but I’m fairly certain they’re only looking at smoke/cartridges.

[@DrDavidMD]

I fully agree. There has not been much research on inhaling smoked vs vaped cannabis, but I strongly presume dry herb vaping is safer since there is no particular matter entering the lungs.

[@AboveAverageGamer1]

I have secondary Raynuad's and since changing to vaping THC my symptoms have reduced greatly. I know that's anecdotal, but it's something. Main downside is now my throat gets irritated rather than my lungs but throat irritation is a lot more manageable and can be mitigated

[@DrDavidMD]

@@AboveAverageGamer1 - Hi, I am glad you are feeling better! Usually this issue can be improved by vaping at a lower temperature (some batteries that have different temperature settings). Also, some vape cartridge types are more irritating than ever. I have heard some people do better with live rosin. Hope that helps!

[@mistertracey1]

Money is the biggest difference

[@CANNABISCANNABISSTATIONTIME]

❤ I love Texas CBD

[@P-Funk69]

Interesting. I’m a long time user and mostly dry herb vape now but did smoke it before that was available. I do find that for some medical purposes just smoking it works better than vaping for me. For example if I’m nauseous I just smoke a small amount of flower and it helps a lot, where as if I vaped the flower i wouldn’t get relief. And if I vaped a comparable cartridge I’d feel very little relief. Is there a reason for that or is it just my body’s reaction to vaping vs smoking personally

[@DrDavidMD]

@P-Funk69 - everyone is different, and if there is a way that is best for you, glad you found it 🙂

[@P-Funk69]

not necessarily, i have some friends in the cannabis industry (im in the industry as well) that take quite a bit for severe pain. if you also watch some of the videos vice did around kids with epilepsy, they took quite a bit, to be effective. you really dont know till you test it unfortunately @@moto-03

[@DrDavidMD]

@moto-03 That takeaway was not my intention. Feel free to share more about how you arrived at that conclusion based on the content I presented in this video. Thanks!

[@DrDavidMD]

both flower and vaporizing cannabis can provide the same relief. Each person is different though, but often it comes down to personal preference

[@WhiteDove73-888]

I got a respiratory infection and reflux from vaping. I have asthma so smoking helps clear the air. If I smoke in the morning I’m good all day to breathe I cough up all the crap and then I’m good to go.

[@TheCbj79]

Why does some say vaping thc is bad? Ore even dagerous? Then i mean vape luquid not flower

[@brandondixon2138]

Vape liquid can have unknown chemicals present. So while thc itself isn't, the liquids used can be, especially if you purchase from the street, rather than a dispensary

[@CANNABISCANNABISSTATIONTIME]

❤ I love Texas BVD

[@TM1Alan]

Ya know...um...

[@Owondr]

THC sticks to water. MAPS did a study showing a jazz cigarette was the most efficient.

[@pedrothewise2584]

dry herb for years. no cough completely better than smoke plus you get abv

[@DrDavidMD]

So glad to hear!

[@dbarbour8352]

Do not buy Cali 5G vapes. Their new sealed vapes have a huge air bubble in them, shorting them to about 4 grams, just so they can sell more. F that kind of drug dealer greed. They used to be filled to the top, always. I am now seeking out a Binoid 5G or 7G! I bet they fill up their vapes, and they probably still make great profits. Don’t pay for air bubbles!!

[@mauriciod98]

Now, everyone has a medical problem to justify smoking. Especially teens and young adults.

[@DrDavidMD]

While I know for sure that some people "game the system", many people genuinely need access to this medication under the guidance of knowledgeable medical cannabis physicians

[@better_together-w4m]

I’m aware of multiple people who’ve had adverse reactions to vaping THC.

[@DrDavidMD]

@bring.us.together - Hi - and thanks for commenting. Many people have not done well and/or gotten sick from vaping THC. Many street vape cartridges have toxins, vitamin E oil, and many other issues that good companies test and Florida-approved medical dispensaries test for. I think a big difference can also be seen by the extraction method. I believe live rosin is the safest due to there being no chemicals used in the process. Also, dry herb vaping of clean ground flower have neither chemicals nor the burning of plant material involved. My two cents!

[@suki_rz]

dry herb vaporizers is not the same as black market carts

[@better_together-w4m]

@@suki_rz yes. natural flower has much less adverse reactions.

[@sirvapalot]

10 minutes was all i could take

[@sirvapalot]

Dr David seems like a good establishment boy

[@sirvapalot]

MmmmK

[@puffygrows]

This guy doesn’t know what the hell he's talking about. More misinformation being spread about the medicine

[@DrDavidMD]

@puffygrows - I take the work we do very seriously and use the best information available to us - empirical and anecdotal. If you are going to make an allegation against me like this, please cite what you believes to be the misinformation I am sharing so that I can look into it.

[@puffygrows]

@DrDavidMD Inhaling clean medical cannabis has no detrimental effects on the lungs. Inhaling pesticides, heavy metals, PGRs, and mold does. The industry needs stricter protocols that ensure none of these make into the final product. The problem with doctors making these claims is that you nor any other doctor has all the facts because the government won't allow independent tests and studies to be done. I have spoken with specialists from biologists to chemists who will dismiss most of your claims. They are paid by any organizations for their studies and have tons of white pages to back their findings. Do yourself a favor and don't base your videos on government paid studies. I've been using medical cannabis grown by myself and commercial growers for around 25 years and I can yell you that vaping isn't a safer option than smoking. I had tons of chest pain when I made the switch to the "safer" option. After switching back, the breathing pains went away completely. If a person bronchial problems to begin with, they shouldn't be inhaling anything and instead use edibles or tinctures to treat themselves. I know you're trying to do good by your viewers, but misinformation from a medical professional who lacks the proper studies upsets me. This natural remedy is constantly getting a bad rap because of misinformation and lack of understanding.

[@mikesabatino5043]

Do you have better info?

[@Serenitynow958]

Perhaps you should mention the risks of psychosis like my niece at age 25 got. Hospitalized twice in a psych ward and has taken year to get anywhere back to normal. Dropped out of Paramedics with a high average. Paranoia is REAL and PSYCHOSIS is WORSE.

[@craigjones8319]

Unfortunately you're niece would have had these underlying issues . Maybe the weed exacerbated these issues. But it was not the sole cause. It's easy to want to blame someone or something. But I can tell you now the weed is not why your niece was unwell.