As legalization sweeps through the major U.S. states and around the world, more and more people are smoking marijuana to relieve their work and life stress, but many newcomers don't know how to choose a smoking device.
The Type of Smoking Device
Currently on the market on the type of marijuana smoking equipment is diverse, the appearance is also various, but in fact, many devices are also based on the improvement of the basic equipment, the current basic equipment is mainly divided into four kinds：
Bongs
Pipes
Vaporizers
Joints
All four of these devices are currently used in the mainstream to smoke marijuana, although the methods of use are different. In addition, these devices can be combined with versatile ways to upgrade the smoking experience.
Bongs
A bong is a type of water pipe used to smoke cannabis, tobacco, or other substances. It typically consists of a bowl, stem, and chamber to hold water. The water in the chamber cools and filters the smoke, making it less harsh to inhale.
History
The earliest known use of bongs can be found in Africa, where they were made from clay and other traditional materials. They were used to smoke tobacco and other plant-based substances. From Africa, the use of bongs spread to the Middle East and Asia, where they were also used to smoke a variety of substances.
In ancient China, bongs were made from bronze and other metals, and were used to smoke tobacco and opium. The Chinese are credited with inventing the first water filtration system for bongs, which helped to cool and filter the smoke for a smoother inhalation.
Bongs then spread to Europe and the Americas. Early European bongs were made from glass and were primarily used for smoking tobacco. They eventually became popular in the Western world in the 1960s and 1970s as part of the counterculture movement and for the use of illicit substances.
Benefits of Using a Bong
There are a few benefits of using a bong over other methods of smoking:
1. Water filtration: The water in the chamber of a bong acts as a filter, trapping some of the ash and other particulate matter before it is inhaled. This can make the smoke smoother and less harsh on the lungs.
2. Cooling effect: The water in the chamber also cools the smoke, which can make it more comfortable to inhale.
3. Efficiency: Bongs can be a more efficient method of smoking, as they can deliver a larger volume of smoke in one inhalation.
4. Customization: Bongs come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials, and can be outfitted with various attachments like ash catchers, percolators and ice catchers, which can be customized according to the user preferences.
Pipes
The pipe is a device used for smoking tobacco or other substances. It typically consists of a bowl, stem, and mouthpiece. The bowl is the part of the pipe where the tobacco is placed and burned. The stem is the long, thin tube that connects the bowl to the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is the end of the pipe where the smoker inhales the smoke.
History
The history of pipes dates back to ancient civilizations. The use of pipes for smoking tobacco and other substances has been found in archaeological remains from cultures around the world, including those in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
The indigenous peoples of the Americas were the first to use tobacco in pipes. They would carve pipes from materials such as stone, wood, and clay. These pipes were used for both ceremonial and everyday purposes.
In Europe, the first historical accounts of pipe smoking come from the 16th century. At this time, tobacco was introduced to the continent by European explorers who had returned from the Americas. Smoking pipes quickly became popular among both the upper and lower classes.
Benefits of Using Pipes
1. Portability: Pipes are small, lightweight, and easy to carry, making them a convenient option for smoking cannabis on the go.
2. Control: Smoking cannabis from a pipe allows you to control the amount you consume, which can be beneficial for those who are new to using cannabis or want to monitor their intake.
3. Efficiency: Pipes heat cannabis quickly and evenly, allowing for efficient and effective use of the product.
4. Customization: There are many types of pipes available, and many can be customized with different bowls, stems, and mouthpieces, allowing for a personal and unique smoking experience.
5. Taste and aroma: Pipes can enhance the taste and aroma of cannabis, providing a more pleasant smoking experience.
Vaporizes
A vaporizer is a device used to heat a substance to a temperature at which it releases active compounds in the form of a vapor, rather than smoke. Vaporization allows for the inhalation of the active compounds without the harmful byproducts of combustion (such as tar and carbon monoxide).
Vaporizers come in various forms, including handheld devices, table-top models and even portable vaporizer. They can be used to vaporize a wide range of substances, such as cannabis, tobacco, and essential oils.
History
The history of vaporization as a method of consuming substances can be traced back several centuries. The use of hot air to extract the active compounds from plants has been known for centuries in traditional medicine and spiritual practices. However, the modern vaporizer as we know it today was first invented in the 1960s.
One of the first known patents for a vaporizer was filed in 1965 by a man named Roger Adams, who was a renowned chemist. His design was intended to be used for the vaporization of medicinal compounds, but it never went beyond the patent stage.
In the 1990s, the invention of the first practical and commercially available vaporizers began with the creation of the "Volcano" by a German company, which was first introduced in 2000. This device used a bag to collect the vapor, which made it easy to inhale. This design set the standard for most vaporizers currently on the market.
Since then, vaporizers have been developed for a variety of different substances, including cannabis and tobacco, as well as for medical use. The technology and design of vaporizers have also continued to improve, with the advent of new materials, heating methods, and temperature controls.
Nowadays, vaporizers are increasingly popular as an alternative to smoking. Many vaporizers are designed to be portable and discreet, making them a convenient option for consuming cannabis and other substances. Furthermore, vaporization has been studied as a potential harm reduction method for smoking, and its use is gaining popularity in medical field as a safe method to deliver medication.
Benefits of Using Vaporizers
There are several benefits to using a vaporizer to smoke cannabis:
1. Health: Vaporizing cannabis can be a healthier alternative to smoking, as it eliminates the harmful by-products of combustion and reduces exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens.
2. Efficiency: Vaporizers heat cannabis to a lower temperature than burning, which can result in more efficient use of the cannabis and a more potent effect.
3. Customization: Many vaporizers allow for temperature control, which can provide different effects and allow for better control over dosing.
4. Discreetness: Vaporizers can produce less odor and less visible smoke than traditional smoking methods, making them more discreet.
5. Taste and aroma: Vaporizing cannabis can enhance the taste and aroma of the cannabis, providing a more pleasant smoking experience.
6. Medical use: Vaporization has been studied as a potential harm reduction method for smoking and its use is gaining popularity in medical field as a safe method to deliver medication.
Joints
A cannabis joint is a cigarette filled with marijuana. It is rolled using rolling papers and is often used as a method for smoking marijuana. Users light one end of the joint and inhale the smoke through the other end. Cannabis joints can be rolled with just marijuana, or mixed with tobacco. It is considered an informal way of consuming cannabis.
read: How to Roll a Perfect Joint
