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[[File:Joint(detail).jpg|thumb|150px| |
[[File:Joint(detail).jpg|thumb|150px|A ''narrow'' joint ("pinner") burns slowly, delivers more cannabinoid per herbal weight than a "fatty" or "spliff".]] |
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'''Cannabis smoking''' involves inhaling vapors released by heating the flowers and subtending leaves of the ''[[Cannabis]]'' plants, known as [[marijuana]]. Alternatively, the cannabis plant flowers may be finely [[sift]]ed producing [[kief]], a powder especially rich in the oil-glands or [[trichomes]] which contain the highest amounts of [[cannabinoids]]. In exporting countries the kief is usually pressed under heat to form solid cakes of [[hashish]], easily stored and shipped, which is widely marketed for smoking use. Cannabis is consumed recreationally to produce a feeling of relaxation or euphoria, [[medical marijuana|medically]] (such as to [[Stress management|relieve stress]] or suppress [[nausea]]), or inspirationally<ref>L.E.A.P. = Long-term Episodic Associative Performance Memory</ref> by inventors and artists in pursuit of creativity. |
'''Cannabis smoking''' involves inhaling vapors released by heating the flowers and subtending leaves of the ''[[Cannabis]]'' plants, known as [[marijuana]]. Alternatively, the cannabis plant flowers may be finely [[sift]]ed producing [[kief]], a powder especially rich in the oil-glands or [[trichomes]] which contain the highest amounts of [[cannabinoids]]. In exporting countries the kief is usually pressed under heat to form solid cakes of [[hashish]], easily stored and shipped, which is widely marketed for smoking use. Cannabis is consumed recreationally to produce a feeling of relaxation or euphoria, [[medical marijuana|medically]] (such as to [[Stress management|relieve stress]] or suppress [[nausea]]), or inspirationally<ref>L.E.A.P. = Long-term Episodic Associative Performance Memory</ref> by inventors and artists in pursuit of creativity. |
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Revision as of 00:04, 15 July 2011
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Joint%28detail%29.jpg/150px-Joint%28detail%29.jpg)
Cannabis smoking involves inhaling vapors released by heating the flowers and subtending leaves of the Cannabis plants, known as marijuana. Alternatively, the cannabis plant flowers may be finely sifted producing kief, a powder especially rich in the oil-glands or trichomes which contain the highest amounts of cannabinoids. In exporting countries the kief is usually pressed under heat to form solid cakes of hashish, easily stored and shipped, which is widely marketed for smoking use. Cannabis is consumed recreationally to produce a feeling of relaxation or euphoria, medically (such as to relieve stress or suppress nausea), or inspirationally[1] by inventors and artists in pursuit of creativity.
Smoking releases the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs. It then mostly targets the brain, where it binds to cannabinoid receptors. The immune system also contains cannabinoid receptors and may modulate its function.[2] The cannabinoid receptors receive the THC and other cannabinoids, leading to the feeling of a mental "high," which varies strongly by person. Studies have also found that the heating of cannabis (which can be achieved without the health hazards of combustion by means of a vaporizer) results in the production of additional THC from the decarboxylation of the non-psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocanabinoid acid (THCa).[3]
While cannabis can be consumed orally, the bioavailability characteristics and effects of this method are different from smoking. The effect takes longer to begin, is typically longer-lasting, and can result in a more powerful psychoactive effect than expected.[4]
Cannabis can be smoked in a variety of pipe-like implements including bongs and "bowls", rolling it into a cigarette-like "joint" or cigar-like "blunt".[5]
Smoking implements
Pipes
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Marijuana_and_pipe.jpg/220px-Marijuana_and_pipe.jpg)
Miniature smoking pipes, sometimes called pieces or bowls, are made of blown glass, metal fittings (except aluminum), ceramic, borosilicate, stone, wood, bamboo and other materials. Blown-glass pipes and bongs are often intricately and colorfully designed.
- A bowl (crater) with a top opening inner diameter of 5.5 mm (7/32") permits measured 25 mg loadings of pre-sifted cannabis and accurate control of the volume of heated air entering during lighting (about 200 °C / 392 °F).[6] Through convection heating, the active chemicals are mostly vaporized rather than burned, maximizing THC production while minimizing exposure to combustion toxins.
- Installing a screen in the crater of the utensil protects against drawing small particles of herb down inside to clog the channel, and thus permits using a pre-sifted "one-toke" grade of cannabis with a uniform particle size which readily vaporizes out cannabinoids.
- Attaching a long flexible drawtube, such as those furnished on hookahs and vaporizers, permits a clear view during the lighting operation and gives vapors additional space to travel, cooling, before inhalation.
- "Vaporizing" with a pipe: by holding a heat source (such as a moderate lighter flame) about 2 cm below the opening of a narrow metal-headed utensil, while sucking continuously, users draw just enough heated air —but no flame— in upon a loading of pre-sifted herb particles or hashish to subject it to the preferred vaporization temperature of 140–200 °C. A visible darkening of the material (without catching fire) indicates drying, with successful harvesting of the desired volatile phytonutrients.
Bong
A bong, is a pipe with a water-chamber [7] through which cannabis smoke passes prior to inhalation. Users fill the bong with water in order to cool the smoke and filter out particulate matter, sometimes also adding ice, cough drops or using substances such as brandy in place of water. (Adding alcohol does not increase the effect, but actually reduces the amount of THC the smoker inhales as THC is soluble in alcohol).
Joint
Blunt
A blunt, sometimes known as a "stick", "bleezy", "fatty", "towelie" "L","Cigarillo"and a "sweet" is cannabis rolled with a cigar wrapper (tobacco leaf).[8]
Vaporization
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Volcano_Vaporizer.jpg/80px-Volcano_Vaporizer.jpg)
Vaporizers are designed to heat cannabis hot enough to release cannabinoid vapor but not hot enough to sustain combustion. This maximizes the efficient liberation of active cannabinoids while minimizing the release of unwanted and often toxic by-products, as found in smoke.[9] A recent study shows that using a vaporizer results in reduced tar and carbon monoxide inhalation compared to smoking the same amount of cannabis.[6]
Spots
A conduction vaporization method known variously as spots, "knife hits", spotting, dots, hot knives, "knifers", or blades consists of compressing a small amount of cannabis or hashish between two heated metal blades and inhaling the resulting vapors through a tube or chimney ("spottle").[10]
Health effects
Smoking lung cancer risk
A major 2006 study compared the effects of tobacco and Cannabis smoke on the lungs.[11][12] The outcome of the study showed that even very heavy cannabis smokers "do not appear to be at increased risk of developing lung cancer,"[12] while the same study showed a twenty-fold increase in lung cancer risk for tobacco smokers who smoked two or more packs of tobacco cigarettes a day.[11][12] It is known that Cannabis smoke, like all smoke, contains carcinogens and thus has a probability of triggering lung cancer, but THC, unlike nicotine, is thought to "encourage aging cells to die earlier and therefore be less likely to undergo cancerous transformation."[12] Cannabidiol (CBD), an isomer of THC and another major cannabinoid that is also present in cannabis, has been reported elsewhere to have anti-tumor properties as well.[13]
See also
References
- ^ L.E.A.P. = Long-term Episodic Associative Performance Memory
- ^ "Cannabis May Suppress Immune System". Lupus.webmd.com. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ Verhoeckx KC, Korthout HA, van Meeteren-Kreikamp AP, Ehlert KA, Wang M, van der Greef J, Rodenburg RJ, Witkamp RF (2006-04-06). "Unheated Cannabis sativa extracts and its major compound THC-acid have potential immuno-modulating properties not mediated by CB1 and CB2 receptor coupled pathways". International immunopharmacology. 6 (4). International Immunopharmacology: 656–65. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2005.10.002. PMID 16504929.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Cannabis. "Erowid Cannabis (Marijuana) Vault : Effects". Erowid.org. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2006). "World Drug Report" (PDF). pp. 187–192. ISBN 92-1-148214-3. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ a b Abrams DI, Vizoso HP, Shade SB, Jay C, Kelly ME, Benowitz NL (2007). "Vaporization as a smokeless cannabis delivery system: a pilot study" (PDF). Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 82 (5): 572–578. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100200. PMID 17429350.
{{cite journal}}
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ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Red Eye Glass - Condo Sherlock Bubbler". Redeyeglass.ca. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html."How is marijuana abused?"
- ^ "Vaporization Redirect | California NORML". Canorml.org. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ "Cannabis use in a drug and alcohol clinic population", McBride A. J. 1994
- ^ a b Boyles, Salynn. “Pot Smoking Not Linked to Lung Cancer,” WebMED Health News. May 23, 2006. (Retrieved 2009-09-05.)
- ^ a b c d “Study Finds No Link Between Marijuana Use and Lung Cancer,” American Thoracic Society. May 2006. (Retrieved 2009-09-05.)
- ^ Armentano, Paul. “Cannabis Smoke and Cancer: Assessing the Risk,” NORML: Working to reform marijuana laws. No publication date. (Retrieved 2009-09-05.)