Vaporizing CBD

CBD can be consumed in a variety of ways, and the consumer's choice will mainly depend on taste and the desired speed of the effects. 

Vaporization is not a form of combustion, but a means of heating the CBD flower or resin. It's the heat that, at a certain temperature, activates the cannabinoids and terpenes which are naturally-occurring hydrocarbons that influence the way people feel. This heat releases the effects of cannabidiol in the form of vapor, not smoke .

Let's not forget that smoking CBD puts your health at risk, just as smoking tobacco does. Combustion, often with the addition of tobacco, will release pathogens and carcinogens, in addition to an addiction to nicotine. 

A gentle method of consumption,vaporization is one of the best ways to enjoy the full benefits of CBD, without the disadvantages of combustion. Indeed, vaporization heats to between 150 and 210°C. By way of comparison, a cigarette burns at 900°C. 

The temperature at which vaporization is heated enhances the release of the plant's active ingredients, without burning them. The flowers therefore remain more natural, and vaporization enhances their flavor tenfold.  

Use a spray bottle adapted to your needs 

To vaporize your CBD effectively, it's essential to use quality equipment. Choose your vaporizer according to your habits and desires. 

Choose an appliance that you can adjust yourself, rather than one with preset temperatures, so that you can use it for several varieties. 

Some models are versatile and can process oil, flowers or resin. 

Vaporizers are also ideal for avoiding over- or under-dosing with flowers or resin: simply place the required amount in the reservoir. Dosing is much simpler, quicker and more effective. 

How to use a vaporizer

The vaporizer must be used correctly to avoid burns and to take full advantage of the effects of CBD. The following steps must be followed: 

- Preparing plant material 

CBD in any form must be of good quality for a maximum experience: it must not be too wet, but neither must it be dry to the touch or crumbly. A sufficient but not excessive dose is prepared for the heating chamber. 

- Filling the heating chamber 

Flowers should be crumbled to fill the volume of the vaporizer's reservoir, but not packed down, to promote heat circulation. The vapor will then be denser and more pleasant to the palate. Uniform mechanical crumbling guarantees optimal vaporization. The quantity of herb is just as important as its quality. When the heating chamber is filled to the brim, the draw between it and the mouthpiece is impeded. In extreme cases, wear and tear on the inside of the vaporizer chamber is accelerated.

- Set heating temperature 

As mentioned above, heating temperature is extremely important. Setting the right temperature by hand is a crucial step in the vaporization process. Hemp flower relaxes at a temperature of between 160 and 220°C. A temperature of 160 to 180°C will induce relaxation, while between 190 and 220°C, it will be more sedative. Obviously, the moisture content of the plants and their texture have an impact on the effects felt by the consumer.

- Preheat sprayer 

The vaporizer's preheating time must be taken into account, and is generally indicated on the instructions for use. It takes no more than a few seconds, but should be taken into account for safe, uniform vaporization. 

- Inhale CBD gently 

It is advisable to draw the vapors slowly and gently to obtain the best possible sensations. Pulling long on the mouthpiece is not recommended, to avoid introducing cold air that cools the vaporizer.

- Cleaning the sprayer 

Whether you use your vaporizer on a daily basis or not, it's essential to clean it thoroughly after use. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter: clean your vaporizer regularly and replace worn parts to ensure the best performance and longevity of your accessory. To clean it properly, first remove the mouthpiece to gain access to the spray chamber. Then, using isopropyl alcohol, it's advisable to carefully polish each component (heating chamber, conduit, mouthpiece) to prevent the material from clogging and the mouthpiece from becoming blocked.

Choose your spray method

- Convection heating is preferable to conduction: extraction is slower and more homogeneous. Aromas are better preserved and active ingredients better developed. The flowers will not be in direct contact with the heat source: it is the hot air that drives the vaporization. 

- By conduction, the reservoir containing the product is heated and it is the contact of the flowers or resin with the walls of the vaporizer that causes vaporization. This heating is faster, but the aromas are less powerful. 

- By inhalation, this is e-vaping using an electronic cigarette.

By combustion, only 20% of the CBD is extracted, not to mention the harmful effects of inhaled fumes. Combustion only releases 10-15% of the plant's active ingredients. Vaporization, on the other hand, is far more bio-available: the proportion of the CBD dose that reaches the general circulation and thus acts on the body is much greater and faster. Bioavailability with vaporization is around 20%, compared with only 8% with infusion. Vaporization is therefore the quickest way to feel the effects of CBD, which is why it is particularly recommended at bedtime for relaxation (more details in our article on sleep ): the effects are almost instantaneous and last for several hours, whereas you would need to wait between 30 minutes and 2 hours for ingestion, for example.

Which products for spraying?

Several types of product can be consumed as a spray. 

The CBD resin resin is placed in the heating chamber in very small quantities (0.1 grams is more than enough), so that it doesn't stick to the walls of the vaporizer. Heating is then carried out very gently at 200°C, removing the vaporized residue once finished to avoid damaging the vaporizer.

The pollen is crumbled into the spray tank as evenly as possible and then heated. 

The flowers should be heated for about a quarter of an hour after being placed in the vaporizer's heating chamber. Depending on the desired effect, you may or may not increase the heating temperature.

Conclusion: 

Don't smoke CBD flowers - just like tobacco, it's a form of combustion that gradually degrades your health. Vaporization is a healthier way to enjoy CBD flavours without endangering your health. Faster, with easier release of CBD's active ingredients, vaporization is ideal for your consumption.