Since I started smoking I was always focussed on the type of strain I was smoking to deliver the type of high I wanted. Little did I know that my buzz was also controlled by the temperature at which I smoked. What I’m saying is that if you vaporize the same strain of cannabis at a low temperature your high will be different the next time if you vaporize it at a higher temperature. Pretty interesting, isn’t it?
Different highs
Vaporizers are able to create different highs because it heats cannabis up to a point where specific cannabinoids evaporate and leaves other things behind. For instance, if you want to get the most D-Limonene, a terpene with antidepressant, anti heartburn, and antibacterial properties, from your bud then your vaporizer needs to be heated up to 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). If you’re interested in getting the most CBD from your bud then you should be vaporizing at 160-180 degrees Celsius (320-356 degrees Fahrenheit) for this cannabinoid to reach its boiling point.
General rule
The general rule is that the higher the temperature, the more intense the high. So, if you’re looking for a mellow experience in which you can still get your daily chores done, then opt for a lower temperature.
Cannabinoids
When you light up a joint, you can’t control the temperature, thus you can’t control the substances that you inhale. When you light up that joint you’re combusting (which means burning) plant material and inhaling carcinogens and tar. Lighting up that joint makes it hot enough to activate the THC and some other composites but at the same time it destroys valuable terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids. It has been tested that the smoke of a joint has only about 10% of cannabinoids present as opposed vaporized cannabis that contains about 95% cannabinoids.
Unique effects
Different compounds in marijuana are released within a specific temperature range. Within this range each compound will show its unique effects and traits. You will have to do your own experimentation (a daunting task I know ;-)) to find your perfect high. The best temperature to produce most psychoactive compounds is 185 degrees Celsius (365 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperatures under 190 degrees Celsius (374 degrees Fahrenheit) will give you more of a head high. On the other hand temperatures above that will give you a nice body high.
157-220 degrees Celsius (315-428 degrees Fahrenheit)
All cannabinoids evaporate between 157-220 degrees Celsius (315-428 degrees Fahrenheit), so if you want to get the most cannabinoids for your buck be sure to stay within this limit. All cannabinoids have a different boiling point. THC needs to be heated to 157 degrees Celsius (315 degrees Fahrenheit) to evaporate. CBN, the cannabinoid that helps you to sleep, evaporates at 185 degrees Celsius (365 degrees Fahrenheit).
The terpene Myrcene
Terpenoids all have their own unique boiling points as well. The terpene Myrcene has many therapeutic effects like relaxing muscles and easing pain; it smells earthy and clove-like. To unleash the therapeutic effects of this terpene heat your vaporizer to 166-168 degrees Celsius (331-335 degrees Fahrenheit).
Beta-caryophyllene
Beta-caryophyllene is great if you’re suffering from specific ulcers and gastro problems. If this is something you need to treat then heat up your vaporizer to 199 degrees Celsius (390 degrees Fahrenheit).
linalool
The terpene linalool soothes stress, acts as an antidepressant and sedative. Heat your vaporizer to 198 degrees Celsius (388 degrees Fahrenheit) to reap the benefits of linalool.
Dry weed
You must take into consideration how fresh or dry your weed is when you vaporize your weed. If you weed is very dry then it will vaporize much faster. If you have your vaporizer turned up too hot then you risk flash boiling the active ingredients. There is no specific guide to vaporizing very dry weed; it varies upon the type of strain and how dry it actually is. Generally, you should slightly reduce the temperature the dryer the bud.
138-148 degrees Celsius (280-298 degrees Fahrenheit)
On the other hand, if you have really fresh bud it will still contain a lot of moisture. This can cause the cannabinoids to evaporate less easily. You can solve this by putting your vaporizer at a low temperature 138-148 degrees Celsius (280-298 degrees Fahrenheit). The vapor released will be a generous portion of flavonoids. Your bud will slowing be drying out during this process. Surely enough your bud will be more dry so that you can be on your merry way to vaporize and enjoy every cannabinoid that evaporates.
