Rowan Bailey
3rd Nov 2024
Dry Herb Vaporizers vs Smoking and other comparisons
It's no secret that it can be an adjustment swapping from combustion (smoking joints, bongs etc) to using a Dry Herb Vaporizer.
The thing is, once you crack the code, it's not only healthier, but you actually get stronger results using much less material.
So we break down the difference between Dry Herb vaporizers vs smoking, vape pens and more below as well as help you with the step by step guide to make the swap.
"I tried a dry herb vape but it tasted awful after a few hits and barely any vapour before it ran out. I felt like I would have to use 3-4 chambers to feel the same as before" - You?
You're not alone in this. Ever since we first opened our doors as a dispensary back in 2018 this was an issue we would hear from customers time after time.
Not only that, it's some I personally struggled with and can totally relate to. I was all for the benefits of a dry herb vape when being told by friends, but my experience simply didn't marry up to what I was being told.
It wasn't until 2020 during COVID that I still needed to use my medication but struggled with my chest that I managed to convince myself to stick to a dry herb vape for long enough.
Looking back i'm now on the otherside of the cliche preaching about how 'honestly it's so much better and I use so much less now!'
Venty Vaporizer The Definitive Medical User Review
Table Of Content
- Dry Herb Vaporizer vs Smoking key differences
- Dry Herb Vaporizer VS Carts (Also Flower VS Carts)
- Dry Herb Vaping VS Smoking A Joint
- Dry Herb Vaporizer VS Bongs
- Table Top High End Portable Dry Herb Options?
- Best Dry Herb to help quit smoking / How to quit smoking for a dry herb vaporiser if you're struggling to swap over
- Conclusion
Dry herb vaporizers vs smoking: Key differences
First up the health risks are drastically reduced when you are not also inhaling other nasty by products of combustion. Dry herb vaporizers are by no mean risk free, but it's no question that the risk reduction is significant.
When prescribed medical cannabis in the UK you are advised to administer it via a dry herb vaporizer. This reduced risk is a no brainer for a healthcare professional especially when ultimately the pros outweigh the cons on Dry Herb vaping vs smoking considerably. Though we appreciate it is a hard adjustment to make for some.
Another pro of using a dry herb vape is it also means that you don't stink of smoke and the smell of cannabis doesn't cling to your clothes, hands or the room you medicate in. Dry herb vaporizers do produce a vapour that smells of cannabis, however this vapour is quickly and easily dispersed.
However on the flip side they miss a couple of key components that those coming from smoking may miss. Firstly, 'Throat hit/ feel'. When it comes to the process of smoking, part of the association is the feeling whilst inhaling the smoke. Dry herb vaporizers don't all match this and as such can feel as though you're getting much less in turn.
Secondly, efficiency. When smoking a bong or a joint you are consuming the THC and other cannabinoids in a much shorter time span than when processing through a dry herb vape. As such the onset of these is much more noticable an up front so to speak. So the perceived effects are more apparent. Not to mention whether or not other byproducts of combustion attribute to this also.
Ultimately most who stick with a dry herb for 2-3 weeks will ultimately see these benefits, but we appreciate it's a challenge at first.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs Vape Carts
Dry Herb Vaporizer VS Carts (Also Flower VS Carts)
These are two seperate methods for consuming THC based medication.
Dry Herb Vapes use cannabis flower and heats it up to evaporate off the crucial compounds such as THC, CBD, CBG and terpenes etc.
THC Vape Carts us a potent extract (Typically a distillate) that is essentially made of all of the compounds that the dry herb vaporizer evaporates off of the flower. This then heats this directly for a more efficient instant hit of THC etc.
As i'm sure you can imagine these can be used in similar ways, but also have ther own merits also. Ultimately when comparing Dry Herb Vaporizers vs Vape Carts it's kind of like comparing apples and oranges but i'll break down some of the key differences for you to consider both from my perspective as a medical cannabis patient who uses both, and as an industry proffesional who understands how carts are made/ has experience with them from a technical side also.
First up to make a direct comparison of the effects from both of these is very difficult for two reasons.
1. Carts are a much faster method of consuming THC. 10 medium hits on a vape cart would be the same as 10 minutes sat with my Venty. So with that in mind it's hard to compare pros and cons here.
2. Carts and flower contain different cannabinoid and terpene profiles. So if you had some Jack Herer cannabis flower and a Jack Herer cart, they could still have different effects. This will come down to what kind of extract is used in the cart, and also the fact that any mismatch between the full plant extract from the dry herb vaporizer and the more isolated extract in the cart could be noticable.
To explain this i'll break down how carts are typically made and why currently the ones on the UK medical market are subpar to what they could be. Let's jump in below.
Distillate Carts Vs Live Resin
So as I explained above THC Carts are filled with a cannabis extract predominantly containing THC.
There are different types of THC extract suitable for these carts. For the sake keeping this super simple today i'm going to simply talk about what are generally considered the 'Top Shelf' and 'Bottom Shelf' options for these. Bottom shelf options don't have to be bad if done right they can be perfectly fine, but I feel it's important to know the difference between them. With the knowledge of this difference, you can then appreciate key differences to consider when comparing Dry Herb Vaporizer vs Carts.
1. Distillate Carts - At the time of writing these are what are available on the legal UK medical cannabis market. THC distillate is when plant material is heated in a controlled environment to evaporate off the THC and other cannabinoids found in that temperature range. You typically end up with a clear to amber liquid that ranges from 60-99% THC content with a low scent profile.
THC distillate can be made from premium flower, or it can be made from bulk cuttings/ trimmings etc and ultimately end up with similar end products which is a primarily stripped back THC dominant extract. Brilliant for scaled cost efficiency and controlled dosing when producing products.
Distillate carts take this distillate and then combine with terpene profiles that match specific strains such as Jack Herer. This way when you vape it it has the familiar taste and scent as that strain.
I am prescribed one of these and find it effective for specific needs. However, as it consists primarily of THC and a simplified terpene profile, it isn't as effective for my deeper pain management as the original strain would be in flower form where it has other intricate cannabinoids and terpenes not found in the cart. This is one reason why comparing Dry Herb Vaporizers to Carts can be difficult. Distillate carts as such are the 'Lower Shelf' option so to speak but ultimately are still a great and very effective product.
Live Resin Carts
Now 'Live Resin' is an interesting extract with a specific approach targetted at preserving all the cannaboids and terpenes in the flower as closely to the flower as possible.
This is done via various methods but ultimately is where the flower is flash frozen and then gently pressed undr extreme pressure to release the cannabinoid extract.
Visually compared to distillate this rich extract won't be clear or see through but more like a butter ranging from white through to creams and browns. Notablly these extracts can be very pungent and also have a notable difference in terms of THC. They do not contain THC, yet... They contain THCA as it hasn't been 'heat activated' yet so to speak.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, carts that use a Live Resin extract are considered 'top shelf' because they represent the same profile, taste and effects as the flower intended, yet in the ultra convenient and efficient consumption method of carts.
In this regard from my experience you can start truly comparing Dry Herb vaporizers VS carts as ultimately they can present similar effects.
The Main Differences in Dry Herb Vaporizers vs THC Carts
1. Dry Herb Vapes take longer to setup and process a dose. A 0.2g dose can take 3-10 minutes to consume with most typical dry herb vapes.
2. Carts require no heat up time and are ready to inhale from a press of a button and don't require setup or cleaning in between doses.
3. Carts cost more per mg of THC than flower.
4. Typically carts have a 'clearer' cerebral high vs flower due to the lower diversity of cannabinoids and terpenes.
5. Carts are very discrete, easy to use on the go and produce less smell.
Dry Herb Vaping VS Smoking A Joint
Rollers rights and quitting the ritual
This may be controversial but I miss smoking and always will.
The thing is, I also feel the difference vaping has had for my health and my wallet. This directly translates to a healthier me for my family and ultimately that makes the choice a no brainer.
That being said, if you are sat in camp Smoking is better and i'm struggling to quit then I totally get where you're sat.
It wasn't even just the feel or differences in flavour when it comes to smoking for me, but it was the ritual itself. The satisfaction of the process and the perfect roll at the end. Now years later if I see a friend about to roll a cigarette I often ask if they mind me making it for them out of old habits (I've still got it though i'm not sure they appreciate the new shape of their rollie).
I've since replaced that ritual with other things, and i'm very grateful for it though it took a lot of time to get there.
I was given two different dry herb vapes to borrow and both times I hated them, tried my best and returned them.
I even then went and thought i'm going all in and getting 'The Best' and bought myself a Mighty. Even then, it wasn't enough to convince me.
All I can say is that one day things changed and when I was struggling being ill and coughing a lot, I decided to give the Mighty one last go by customing it and making sure I didn't give myself an excuse to go back.
The Mighty is a top-notch device that’s capable of producing extremely pure and flavourful vapour and has a medical device option (Can be prescribed to save VAT for medical patients!). It also comes with a few other great customisations due to its popularity, like glass mouthpieces, or whips to pass the vapour through a bubbler, mesh pads to use with concentrates and dosing capsules for ease of use when out and about.
With myself all set up it took me 2-3 weeks of consistency to really notice the difference but it was only 1 week in I started to notice what I was coughing up. That was my first big win and confirmation I was doing the right thing.
Next up was the point where I realised that the effects were there afterall, it's just about consuming your THC in different ways.
Understanding the bell curve of THC onset from smoking vs a pro longed dry herb vape goes a long way to explaining the initial perceived differences in 'high'. Once I was more settled into my routine and tolerance had settled from this type of onset it was clear that after all of this time, those who'd recommended these before were right...
The thing is when you're smoking it isn't even just down to the health or convenience from smell, it's about so much more. I can now dial in the precise dosage I need at isolate terpenes for specific strain profiles. Furthermore i'm not burning through material inbetween pulls just wasting my money that now goes elsewhere.
I'm not meaning to overstate it, but looking back I can totally appreciate where all of our customers who struggle with this are coming from. Just take it from me, trust the process and you'll thank yourself.
Quick TIP: Best accessories to customise the mighty dry herb vape
If you have decided to do the same go for a Mighty to help quite smoking, here are some quick accessories for it that I would recommend!
Water Pipe Adapter: Enjoy cooler, smoother vapour by connecting your Mighty to a bong or bubbler.
Dosing Capsules: Pre-fill capsules for mess-free, on-the-go vaping.
Smell-Proof Case: Keep your Mighty and accessories discreetly stored and odour-free.
Extra Cooling Unit: Extend time between cleanings and easily share your Mighty with others.
Pricing and Availability
The Mighty Vaporizer is usually priced somewhere around £200 - £250, offering a saving over the original RRP. It comes with a 2-year warranty when purchased from authorised distributors like MagicVaporizers or you can grab it on Amazon!
Dry Herb Vaporizer VS Bongs
Being able to load up a dose, hit it in one or two large inhales and then get on with your day with a strong onset is certainly an efficient method of consumption. Furthermore the water also helps with throat comfort when inhaling potentially removing some of the harmful byproducts of conbustion.
However it is not without risks and still poses most of the same risks as smoking the regular way. So how does using a Dry Herb Vaporizer compare Vs a Bong?
Dry Herb Vapes are simply no where near as fast as a bong, nor do they typically have the same kind of throat hit. This is simply by the way in which they work. So if you are trying to come from using bongs to a dry herb vape you will notice a difference.
You can choose dry herb vapes with this in mind however and a certain consideration I would make would be something like the Dynavap. Though it has a learning curve with manual heating, the throat hit and consumption rate can be similar. I have seen setups using a water bong and this small device that mirror a bong very similarly and as such are a great setup to consider.
Ultimately it will still have less throat hit but the onset will be similar and the health risks are reduced somewhat.
Conclusion below.
MORE DRY HERB VAPE RECOMMENDATIONS
Best Budget Dry Herb Vaporizer Under £100!
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Vapes Under £100Best Desktop Dry Herb Vaporizer
Are you searching for the best desktop dry herb vaporizer in the UK to elevate your medical cannabis experience? Look no further. As a medical cannabis patient, you understand the importance of finding a high-quality, reliable vaporizer that delivers consistent results. Desktop dry herb vaporizers offer unparalleled vapor quality, precision temperature control, and a level of convenience that portable vaporizers simply can't match.
Desktop VapesBest Dry Herb Vapes For Beginners
With so many different options and price points, where do you even begin?
We take the guess work out and help break down some of the best, most reliable and simple to use options on the UK market.
So whether you're looking for a budget friendly or premium beginner device, check out our guide below.
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Conclusion: Dry Herb Vaporizer VS Combustion or Carts
Choosing your health over a 2-3 week adjustment period should ultimately be a no brainer. However I appreciate the choices we all make and why it can be difficult. So I hope this article has helped shed light on key differences in terms of methods, effects and other key factors to consider.
If you're looking for where to start with a new dry herb vape then checkout our guides or for the ultimate in portability and stealth, the PAX Mini or DynaVap M Plus are excellent choices. For those seeking the best vapour quality, the Tinymight 2 and the Mighty+ deliver exceptional flavour and smooth hits.
When battery life is a top concern, the Mighty+ and Arizer Solo 2 Max have you covered with their impressive longevity.
Budget-conscious vapers can find great value in devices like the XMAX V3 Pro, Arizer Air SE, and POTV One, which offer solid performance at affordable prices. And for those new to vaping, the XMAX V3 Pro provides a user-friendly experience that's perfect for beginners.
No matter which of these you choose you are in good hands to start your journey from swapping from smoking to a dry herb vape in no time.
Happy vaping!
Author
Rowan Bailey
Tags
Portable Dry herb vaporizers
UK Medical Cannabis
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