Today, you’re going to learn the 5 most common misconceptions about dry herb vaporizers.
If you’re a skeptical person by nature, claims like ‘dry herb vaporizers are completely harmless’ may put you off.
And if you’re a raging fan, it’s good to realize that you may have an overly positive picture about dry herb vaporizers in your head.
Make no mistake, as long as you have a high-quality vaporizer and use the proper techniques, dry herb vaping will always be less harmful than smoking.
But, for example, a common misconception about dry herb vaping is that it’s completely harmless. It isn’t.
Table of Contents
Misconception 1: Dry herb vaporizers are totally harmless
Although dry herb vaporizers eliminate 80-90% of the toxins that get released when smoking cannabis, they still release some toxins.
Generally speaking, the higher your vaping temperature, the more toxins will be present in your vapor. If you’re new to vaporizers, read up on vaping temperatures.
Also keep in mind that if don’t get a vaporizer from a reputable brand or authorized dealer, you risk getting a dangerous vaporizer. Either one that’s manufactured without safety in mind, or a fake imitation product.
To eliminate risks associated with getting a dangerous vaporizer, always buy a vaporizer from a reputable brand and an authorized dealer. Never buy your vaporizer from auction- or whole-sale type of websites like Ebay or Alibaba.
If you get an unverified vaporizer or one from an unverified source, you risk damaging your health even more than you would had you simply smoked joints.
Some vaporizers have lead soldering around their heating element, for example. Inhaling lead over longer periods of time may lead to serious health consequences.
Another thing you have to keep in mind is that you have to properly clean and maintain your vaporizer.
If you don’t, you risk corroding the materials inside your vaporizer. Which in turn can lead to leaking of toxic microparticles.
If you’re new to vaporizers, read up on vaporizer safety.
The bottom line:
A high-quality vaporizer, from a reputable brand, that comes from a verified source will be less harmful than smoking. But won’t be completely harmless. Even with a vaporizer that meets the aforementioned requirements, you will inhale some toxins.
Misconception 2: Dry herb vaporizers produce smoke
Some people see white ’smoke’ coming out of vaporizer and think that it’s smoke.
They think vaporizers produce just a different type of smoke.
Well, even though vapor sometimes looks similar to smoke, it isn’t the same.
Most vaporizers simply don’t have the capability to produce smoke. Their temperature stays below the combustion (burning) point of cannabis.
Smoke and vapor are similar in some ways, but different in others.
The biggest similarity is that both cannabis smoke and vapor contain cannabinoids and terpenes.
Both will get you high or produce other effects.
The major difference is that smoke has many more different toxins inside it. But also in higher levels.
While vapor does have some of the same toxins, it has much fewer and in much lower levels.
For example:
One study found that that cannabis smoke has over 100 toxic byproducts that are absent in cannabis vapor (1).
There are a few vaporizers that can burn you herb and produce smoke in the process. But this is always the result of wrong use. No vaporizer is made with the intention to produce smoke.
For example:
Butane-powered vaporizers are more susceptible to accidental burns.
With most battery-powered, electronic vaporizers, it’s impossible to combust.
The bottom line:
No, vaporizers don’t produce smoke.
Misconception 3: Dry herb vaporizers are expensive
When people see the prices of well-marketed vaporizers like the MIGHTY+, PAX or Firefly, it puts them off.
$200-300 seems like a lot of money for something as simple as inhaling some cannabis. And it is. But there are way more affordable options.
Although there are quite a few dry herb vaporizers that cost $300 and above, they don’t have to be that expensive.
Even if you would want to stay below $100, you have some great options.
Generally speaking, investing in a vaporizer will pay itself back within a year. Even when you get a higher-end vaporizer of $200 and above.
How?
Because using a vaporizer is more efficient than smoking.
By using a vaporizer, you will save more herb. You’ll use less herb to produce the same effects as you would smoking. This can add up into the hundreds of dollars per year, depending on how much cannabis you use.
Just keep in mind that the cheaper the vaporizer, the bigger the risk for a risky device. Especially if you want to stay below $100, you have to do some proper research before you get one.
A good portion of the vaporizers under $100 have risky designs or are made from low-quality materials.
To avoid these, check out our list of best affordable vaporizers under $100.
Misconception 4: Dry herb vaporizers are difficult to use or a hassle
Is the thought of using an advanced tech-device for inhaling some cannabis putting you off?
Consider this:
While some vaporizers have a learning curve, most vaporizers are very easy to use.
Most vaporizers work well by following the following 5-step process:
- Grind your herb
- Fill the bowl of your vaporizer
- Turn on your vaporizer
- Set the temperature
- Wait till it’s heated and start inhaling the vapor
What’s more, some vaporizers heat up within 10 seconds.
Grinding a bit of herb, filling your vaporizer’s bowl, turning it on, and waiting 10 seconds, is in many cases, even quicker and easier than rolling and smoking a joint.
Many dry herb vaporizers are designed with ease of use in mind.
And for the few that are more difficult to use, all it usually takes is a few practice sessions.
To ease the process of using your dry herb vaporizer, I recommend getting a good-quality herb grinder.
Misconception 5: Dry herb vaporizers are only for cannabis
While the majority of dry herb vaporizers are used to vape cannabis, they can also be used to vape other herb types.
For example:
Chamomile and lavender can be vaporized for their calming effect. There are many other herbs that can be vaporized for their beneficial effects.
You could even combine these other herbs with cannabis.
For example:
You can make a mix of cannabis and chamomile, and it will have a more calming effect than usual.
This could be an idea if cannabis sometimes makes you anxious.
The chamomile will help reduce any anxiety caused by THC.
Conclusion
There’s a good amount of false information circulating on the web about dry herb vaporizers.
If you’re thinking about getting one, it’s important to base your decision on factual information and not on misconceptions.
The 5 most common misconceptions about dry herb vaporizers are:
- Dry herb vaping is completely harmless. It isn’t. But it’s definitely less harmful for your health than smoking
- Dry herb vaporizers produce smoke. They don’t. Although thick vapor can look like smoke, it isn’t the same. Vapor has much fewer toxins in much lower levels.
- Dry herb vaporizers are expensive. You can get a good-quality vaporizer for under $100.
- Dry herb vaporizers are difficult to use. Most aren’t. Most dry herb vaporizers are designed with ease of use in mind.
- Dry herb vaporizers can only be used for cannabis. This isn’t the case. Dry herb vaporizers can be used to vape many different herbs, including chamomile and lavender.
Armed with these myth-busters, you can now make a better-informed decision on whether you should get a dry herb vaporizer or not.
What’s Next
More vaporizer guides:
- Best Portable Dry Herb Vaporizers
- Best Desktop Vaporizers
- Best Temperature to Vape Weed
- How to Use a Dry Herb Vaporizer
- Are Dry Herb Vaporizers Safe
- Convection vs Conduction Vaporizers
- Vaping vs Smoking Cannabis
- How Does a Dry Herb Vaporizer Work
- How to Tell When Dry Herb In a Vaporizer Is Done
- How to Reduce Smell When Vaping Dry Herb
Scientific References:
- Gieringer, D., St. Laurent, J., & Goodrich, S. (2004). Cannabis Vaporizer Combines Efficient Delivery of THC with Effective Suppression of Pyrolytic Compounds. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 4(1), 7–27. https://doi.org/10.1300/j175v04n01_02
