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From BP Issue 4
Safer Cannabis Toking
Is one method healthier or safer than another?Many researchers and educators have recently begun to look into harm reduction techniques for cannabis smokers. You may have heard already that some people with a predisposition to schizophrenia may experience psychotic episodes but the most common health hazards associated with cannabis use are cardiovascular and bronchial. Simply put, any smoking is harmful to the lungs, throat and heart but how you decide to ingest your cannabis can have a big influence on how much harm you do to these areas of the body. So check this out - especially if you're a full on smoker.
Getting it Ready..
While it is pretty usual to mix up hash or grass (dope) with tobacco, you are actually increasing the risk of ingesting more harmful substances like tar and carcinogens. Ok, we dig the reason why this is done by so many - and it is usually a case of cost - pure and simple. Mixing (it's more akin to cutting) the dope with tobacco may make ol' Mary Jane last longer, but it also means you are sure to take in more toxic compounds in the smoke to reach the desired effect. (if you must use tobacco - go for the 'reduced chemical' brands such as 'Indian'.)
Are herbal preparations really that much better for you when mixed with hash etc instead of using tobacco?
Well folks, it may help you to cut down smoking cigarettes - even ease tobacco smokers withdrawals too, but there is no evidence to suggest that these mixes are better for your health. There are many, many varieties of these mixes so if you are intent on giving herbal preparations a go, prepare to be adventurous! A good or recommended headshop or smartshop can be a godsend here - have a chat to the person behind the counter and they should certainly be able to give you some insight - if only to steer you towards the most well liked customer brand.
The Many Methods of Smoking Dope
Is one way better than another?
If you've been smoking cannabis for a while, you probably haven't escaped the many suggestions made by others as to what method of smoking grass or hash will get you the most stoned.
The experts however, cannot always agree on which method is better for your health but there still remain many ways to smoke dope in ways that are better for your health than others. NOTE: Vapourizers were not about when this article was first published - they are currently thought of as the safest way to ingest your dope - along with eating. If someone out there considers themselves an expert on vapourisers - we would LOVE to hear from you.
INHALING; - The conventional rule is too inhale the smoke - hold it in - then slowly release it. It is supposed to make the dopes effects stronger. False - Holding in the smoke longer causes more harm to the lungs WITHOUT Increasing the the amount of THC absorbed. 95% of THC is absorbed in the body within the first few seconds of inhaling, so holding it in longer allows more tar and other noxious chemicals to be absorbed by the lungs. Take smaller, shallow puffs rather than deep inhalations.
PIPES; If you use a pipe, choose one made of glass or stainless steel or brass - wooden and plastic pipes give of noxious fumes when used.
BONGS Bongs are said to be good to use to smoke cannabis because the water inside the bong cools the throat and makes it easier to smoke while adding a whooping whack of THC quickly – straight down the lungs to get you high really quickly. However, recent research suggests that using a bong may be one of the most harmful methods of smoking. Firstly, the water in the bong absorbs a great deal of the THC in the smoke - wasting your weed/hash and increasing the amount of tar the smoker must ingest to get the desired effect. The bong which has a mouthpiece less than 20cm from the water level can allow water vapour and water drops to enter your lungs. Do not use plastic bottles, rubber hose or plastic stems, or aluminum cones as these give off harmful fumes when they slowly melt. Keep bong water fresh at all times as the water can harbour hep A, and other germs.
JOINTS ; This is one of the least harmful ways of smoking cannabis. To maximise the ratio of THC to tar and carcinogens, it is recommended not to use cigarette filters in joints as they eliminate 60% of THC leaving you a much higher proportion of Tar and other toxins. Instead, smoke unfiltered joints or use unbleached cardboard for the filter. Much of these different materials are available in Head shops.
EATING - One of the best ways to avoid the harmful effects of cannabis on your lungs is to cook cannabis in cookies or cakes. The danger is though - it is harder to gauge how much should be used and how much you have eaten in a cookie - as one cookie may be a bit stronger than the next. This can be remedied - look out for our recipes in future issues of BP. The effect of eating it can take around 60 - 90 min to hit and then last from 4-12 hours. The buzz from eating can be trippier and stronger than smoking so get advice from a pal who knows about how much should be put in your bickies. Obviously, you don't want anything mindblowing if your having a few straight-ish mates round for lunch – and you certainly don't wanna be playing jokes on straight people with heavy duty skunk in the chocolate cake. (It might be funny later but it could really spin someone out if they don't understand what's happening). The drug mantra for being careful has got to be – have a bit – see how it goes, then see if you need to top up.
CARE FOR HIV POSITIVE SMOKERS.
During the handling and curing of cannabis plants, it is possible for fungi and bacteria to contaminate the cannabis. This poses a low level risk for most smokers but for those with compromised immune systems (HIV/AIDS, CANCER), it can be a serious health hazard. The best way to combat this is to heat your cannabis in an oven heated 66 -93 degrees Celsius for about 10 minutes to kill any fungi or bacteria. Recent research also suggests that people with HIV are many times more likely to get the smokers illness 'Emphysema', and at ages much younger than usual (30's).
This article came out before vaporizers had become known about and sold. BP will be doing a review on vaporizers for issue 13 – but currently they seem to be the safest way to smoke your dope – your inhaling the steam – not the smoke. Check it out on the web – Dutch users swear by them.
If you have used vapourizers or know a lot about them or have comments on using them - please get in touch with us. We'd really LOVE to hear more on this subject. You can email us direct on blackpoppy@btconnect.com
or ring +44 (0) 207 622 770 tue-fri between 1-6pm. or leave a message and we'll ring you back. OR you can leave a message on our pinboard where we'll see it as will others. (see home page for button to pinboard.)
(Thanks also to NUAA Australia for information of this article - check out their excellent website - one of the best user mags in the world http://www.nuaa.org.au/)
