Vaporizer
From Free net encyclopedia
- For the device used in surgery, see anaesthetic vaporiser.
- For the device commonly called a vaporizer used in humidifying, see humidifier.
A vaporizer (or vaporiser) is a device used to release psychoactive compounds from plant material, most commonly cannabis or tobacco. It is used by some as an alternative to smoking. Rather than burning material, a vaporizer heats it enough that the more volatile constituents boil away, where they can then be inhaled.
Contents |
Scientific evidence
A NORML-MAPS study published May 2, 2003 found that the Volcano® vaporizer was remarkably clean, its vapor consisting 95% of THC with traces of cannabinol (CBN), another cannabinoid. The remaining 5% consisted of small amounts of three other components: one suspected cannabinoid relative, one suspected PAH, and caryophyllene, a fragrant oil in cannabis and other plants. In contrast over 111 different components appeared in the gas of the combusted smoke, including a half dozen known PAHs. Non-cannabinoids accounted for as much as 88% of the total gas content of the smoke. This fantastic efficiency was in stark contrast to MAPS/NORML's previous studies into vaporizers which found far less encouraging results, leading one to the conclusion that the effectiveness of vaporization varies enourmously from vaporizer to vaporizer.
A far less encouraging NORML-MAPS study published January 7, 2001 found that "it is possible to vaporize medically active THC by heating marijuana to a temperature short of the point of combustion, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing harmful smoke toxins that are normally present in marijuana smoke." The study tested a device called the M1 VolatizerAE, which produced THC at a temperature of 365 degrees Fahrenheit (185 degrees Celsius), while completely eliminating three measured toxins, benzene, toluene and naphthalene. Carbon monoxide and smoke tars were also reduced.
Unsurprisingly, smoking marijuana or hashish intermixed with tobacco in a traditional hookah or nargile works on the same principle: most of the tobacco, and ideally none of the more expensive add-ins, has no contact with the coal, but rather has hot air from the coal passed through it when the smoker[s] draw breath through the apparatus.
Heating options
- With convection heating, the herbs themselves never touch a heating element. Instead, hot air passes over the herbs heating them very rapidly and allowing them to release their active constituents. This method of heating is by far superior, and releases far more active constituents than conduction heating.
Smoking marijuana or hashish intermixed with tobacco in a traditional hookah or nargile uses much the same system of extraction: most of the material has hot air from a coal passed over it, and the tobacco is moist enough that it burns minimally. This is however NOT vaporization, and cannot be classed as a vaporizer per se.
- With conduction heating, the herbs are placed on a metal plate that is then heated to release the active constituents. However, the direct contact between hot metal and herbs can cause them to burn.
- Conduction occurs when tobacco makes contact with a hot solid.
- Convection occurs when tobacco makes contact with a hot gas.
- Inundation is the process of both types of heating combined.
Vapor delivery options
- With direct lung delivery, the user controls the rate of vapor creation by inhaling to draw the hot air over the herbs. This creates the freshest vapor possible .
- With stored vapor delivery, the machine creates vapor and stores it in a glass dome or plastic bag for later inhalation.
See also
External links
Template:Cannabis resourcesde:Vaporizer he:מאדה nl:Vaporizer sv:Vaporizer