A Bit More on That Vaporizer Study
Yesterday I posted a brief summary of a new study of vaporization of marijuana as an alternative to smoking. Since that original post, I’ve spoken to a couple of researchers about this study, and they raised a few points that seem worth sharing:
First, for reasons that aren’t clear, before performing the tests of smoking and vaporization, the researchers put the marijuana through a drying procedure that ordinary marijuana consumers don’t do. This might have eliminated some plant compounds, such as terpenoids, that are actually of interest.
A second possible flaw is that the researchers considered all “byproducts” – defined as substances other than cannabinoids – together. They didn’t analyze precisely what they were, lumping bad stuff like the toxic combustion products contained in smoke with potentially beneficial plant compounds like those terpenoids mentioned above. That puts the finding that fewer byproducts were produced at 230 degrees Celsius than were produced at lower temperatures in a somewhat different perspective: We don’t know if the same byproducts were produced at 230 degrees as were produced at lower temperatures – and what’s in that mixture could be just as important as how much of it there is.
Tagged with: science and smoking and vaporization by the author
10 comments
Thanks for looking into that further. It seemed like ‘by-product’ was used a little loosely. Something else I wonder about is the ideal temperatures they came up with. 230 C seems really high, no pun intended. I find ~191 C to be a good temperature. If the ratio of compounds (active and supposed ‘by-products’) vary with temperature, could this change the interaction of the compounds and alter the perceived effects?
Of course MPP is the unbiased analyst. Let the truth be told! Keep on keepin’ on.
The intro to this study suggests that 180-190 C is the sweet spot…
http://www.scribd.com/doc/294969/Medical-Marijuana-Vaporizer-Study
Also references some of the toxins that are thus avoided should you vaporize at higher temperatures. 230 C appears to be the point of combustion.
Indeed, the Volcano doesn’t even reach 230 degrees C. The highest point is 226 degrees C. Anything higher than that would indeed be combustion.
Addison #3: Greatly appreciate the link.
And thank you for clarifying Bruce.
Heavy sigh, now if I could just smoke again.
thanks for clarifying bruce.
LEGALIZE IT!!!!!
im vaporizor all the way, no other way to go in my mind…To compare me health now, to when I used a bong…its crazy…So much more healthy now.
You know I have tryed a few Vaps and Im not impressed at all, I never seem to get a good hit, Its always very light and doesnt ever have the kick of my bowl or joints. But then again I havent tryed a volcano yet, so until I do I am holding judgment on Vaps working for me or not.
Great info to know when these prohibitionests go off about smoking it, we can come back with this study. However I think we need to look at the effects smoking itself does and from all accounts it paints a very non harmful picture, but we all know that now dont we.
I recently have been using Tinctures without glycerin. Do any of you know what ill effects they have? Do they have all the toxins in them as normal smoking or are tinctures on point with a vaporizer? They have been working great since my doctor advised me to cut back on smoking.
Thanks!
230 degrees Celsius is a ridiculously high temperature for vaporization. Especially considering that the herbs were also extremely dry I can’t imagine how the herbs wouldn’t combust
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