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Are You Inhaling Wrong?

If you’re short on cash but still want to catch the best buzz possible you need to ask yourself “are you inhaling wrong?”

By Sigmund FriedPublished 7 years ago 5 min read
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Image by Dominik Martin

Weed costs money, and money can be hard to come by, so if you’re short on cash but still want to catch the best buzz possible you need to ask yourself “are you inhaling wrong?” Most people who consume cannabis do so by smoking, and so proper inhaling is the key to keeping more green in your stash and in your wallet. We’ll go over the latest science and help make sure that if someone asks “Are you inhaling wrong?” you can answer the question with a resounding no!

The Biology

In order to make sure you are inhaling properly, it helps to make sure you understand the physical systems that are involved. Weed gets you high by providing THC to your blood which carries it to your brain. Once it hits your brain it passes the brain-blood barrier. Once the THC hits your brain you start to get the high effects that people associate with marijuana. However, the THC has to get into your blood for this process to work. This transfer takes place in your lungs. Therefore, if you aren’t inhaling properly then you aren’t getting the maximum effect of your weed, which not only wastes valuable weed, but valuable cash as well.

For a long time the way that marijuana enthusiasts have dealt with this is through one of two methods. The first way people attempt to maximize the effect of their weed is by taking the biggest hit possible. These are the folks who can drain an entire bong bowl in one rip or take two hits and make the joint turn brown. The other solution that has been adopted is to hold the hit for as long as possible in order to give the THC the most time to get into your bloodstream from your lungs. While these are methods as old as smoking pot, recent scientific investigation indicates that they might be working against your goals, if this sounds like you then you really need to ask yourself, "are you inhaling wrong?"

The Latest Info

Image by Mercstoic

New studies suggest that both of these methods are actually extremely inefficient. The latest information suggests that all the THC your body is going to get is extracted from the smoke in your lungs in the first few milliseconds. This has a few implications. First, it means that if you are taking the biggest possible hit then you are wasting valuable weed. This is because all of the smoke you take in doesn’t make it down to your lungs, but rather can stay in your throat and mouth. These parts of your body are not nearly as well equipped to transfer the THC into your blood as your lungs are. Second, holding the hit in just increases the amount of time that your lungs are exposed to the tar, ash, and toxins that exist in smoke. As a result you aren’t getting any higher, but you are damaging your lungs.

Many people will swear by the notion that holding a hit longer means that you will get higher, and those people are partially correct. Holding your breath will give you a lightheaded feeling, but that is the result of oxygen deprivation, not more THC entering into your brain. Therefore you can achieve the exact same effect without weed. We all continue to breathe for a reason, breathing feels great and is necessary to stay alive. Given this, why would you want to deny yourself the oxygen you need to live when it’s not helping you get any more potency out of the hit you took? Consequentially, the answer to the question “Are you inhaling wrong?” is a solid yes for more people than realize it.

What Should You Do Instead?

Because of the way the lungs work, it is best to inhale smoke or vapor from weed a certain way. Experts who have studied the issue scientifically recommend taking a hit that will fill your lungs to 2/3 capacity and then breathing in regular air. The air will push the smoke or vapor down into your lungs, where the THC transfer is most efficient. Moreover, this will provide your body with the oxygen it needs to understand and feel the effects of the THC in the weed you smoked.

Another reason why this is the best way to inhale is that it discourages people from taking bigger hits than their body can effectively process. Being aware of the size of hit that you are taking will help you leave more weed in the bowl or joint for the next toke. As a result you can be confident that you are getting the most THC possible out of your weed and into your brain.

Another great tip for getting the most out of your weed is to wait for a minute between hits. If you are taking rapid-fire tokes back to back then you certainly need to ask yourself “are you inhaling wrong?” Instead of hitting the pipe, bong, or joint over and over, space your hits out more. This gives the THC time to get to your brain and pass the blood-brain barrier. As a result you may find out that you are much higher than you thought you would be after only one or two hits. This will save your stash as well as save your cash.

As you can see, there are many great reasons to ask yourself “are you inhaling wrong?” Whether you are trying to save weed, trying to save money, or just hate being wasteful, properly inhaling is one of the most important skills any marijuana enthusiast can learn. Make sure that you’re getting the most out of your weed by following the tips in this article. Don’t go for massive hits, and don’t worry about holding it in. Just breathe normally, but use marijuana smoke or vapor instead of full air. Once you breathe in, let your breath out naturally. You’ll be surprised how much higher you can get when you are inhaling correctly.

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About the Creator

Sigmund Fried

Not his real name, but he wishes it was. Wasted, waxing philosophical.

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