When we think about using weed, the first thing that comes to our minds is what type of strain we’re going to use. The second thing is the type of atomizer we’re going to use. And this is understandable. The type of strain usually dictates the high that we receive. What we often neglect is the vaping temperature to use. If you’re one of those people, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s like buying a new car. Our first concern is the looks and the engine of the car.
But there are other equally important factors to consider. Like the vaping temperature to use.
Although often overlooked, knowing the best temperature to vape weed can affect the vaping experience we will get. There are also specific strains of cannabis that require the right vaping temperature. When you vape some strains using the right temperature, they provide more health benefits.
Knowing the right vaping temperature allows you to control the therapeutic effects that you feel. If you’re vaping for recreation, the right temperature can help you get the “high” that is just right for your needs. Think about it, getting the right high won’t be a hit or miss thing for you anymore. You can simply adjust the temperature dial on your mod and get exactly what you need.
How do I know the right vaping temperature for marijuana?
They say that just like snowflakes, no two strains of marijuana are the same. This means that you need to use different temperatures for vaping different strains. And adjusting the temperature shouldn’t be a problem for you. Just look online and you’re sure to find hundreds of different mods or vaporizers that allow you to adjust temperatures. All it will take you is a turn of a dial or a touch on the OLED display. This is a feature you should take advantage of. It’s not like the old days when you have to use a bong that won’t let you choose a temperature.
Cannabis, whatever strain you prefer, contains hundreds of chemical compounds. These compounds dictate the high generated when you vape the said herb. Among these hundreds of compounds, the two major contributors are cannabinoids and terpenes.
These compounds give cannabis its recognizable smell and flavor. If you love aromatherapy, you can get some of the same effects with your oil. Just find a cannabis strain that matches the contents of your favorite essential oil. The effects won’t be as potent as that of vaping or edibles but you can still get some of the beneficial effects of both CBD and THC.
What is THC?
THC is the primary psychoactive compound found in marijuana. When you inhale or ingest THC, it interacts with CB1 receptors. As a result, you get a feeling of euphoria. However, when taken in excess, THC is also the source of feelings of paranoia.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are organic compounds that you can find in many plants. They are part of a plant’s defensive mechanism. Terpenes produce a strong smell. Plants use this strong smell to protect themselves from pests. The said smell also attracts helpful predators. In cannabis, terpenes influence the flavor of the weed that you use. Aside from this, terpenes have an effect on the overall vaping experience and its medicinal benefits.
These compounds have different boiling points so you should vape them at different temperatures as well. There are more than a hundred different chemical components present in marijuana but the most significant are:
Cannabinoids:
- THC (approx 315°F)
- CBD (approx 356°F)
- CBN (approx 365°F)
- THCv (approx 428°F)
Terpenes:
- Pinene (approx 311°F)
- Caryophyllene (approx 320°F)
- Myrcene (approx 334°F)
- Limonene (approx 349°F)
- Linalool (approx 388°F)
What else should I consider when choosing the right vaping temperature?
The moisture in your weed
One thing you should know is that it is recommended that you set the temperature to about 10 degrees higher than whatever compound you want to vape. This might sound confusing because you just saw a list of approximate boiling temperatures for each compound. There’s a good explanation for this.
You have to factor in the amount of moisture that’s left in the strain that you’re about to vape. Most of the time, you’ll get a strain that is pretty dry and, in that case, the recommended temperature will work great. However, there will be times when the weed you’ll get a strain that still has a lot of moisture in it. If you get a moist strain, your vaporizer will use a lot of heat to burn the remaining water off. It is only after all that excess water gets burned that the count towards the perfect temperature begins.
Unfortunately, there is really no surefire way to know if your strain is still moist just by looking at it. Most of the time, it will look dry even if there’s still water left on it. You can take a chance and assume that your strain is dry but there is no guarantee that you’ll get the optimum effects when you vape it.
What effects are you going for?
Another factor that you need to consider is finding the right balance between the chemicals in your weed and the effects that you want to achieve. Let’s say that you want to increase your creativity so you went for a Dutch Treat. The Dutch Treat has a large amount of pinene and delivers a euphoric blast. It keeps you uplifted and makes you more creative. However, you don’t want to get stoned and waste that creative boost.
We know that pinene has a low boiling point at 311 degrees F. On the other hand, THC has a boiling point of 315 degrees F. It might be a good idea to set the vaping temperature at 315 degrees F. This temperature gives you a 4-degree leeway to burn off any excess water while still being within range of the THC’s boiling point. At this temperature, you’re able to release the pinenes you need for your creative project without getting too stoned. Going overboard on THC can also induce anxiety which might ruin your creativity.
As they say, too much of everything can be bad for you. And this is true for setting your vaping temperature. I’ve seen a lot of people vaping at too high a temperature. This is a common mistake whether you’re vaping weed or oil. This is dangerous if you’re using a potent strain. Overdoing it might make you too paranoid or erratic. You might end up undoing the positive effects of marijuana on your body.
What does each vaping temperature get me?
We have this notion that higher temperatures make for a great vaping experience. And this is true most of the time. The higher your vaping temperature is, the more intense the high you’re going to get. I know some vapers who crank up their mods to ridiculously high temperatures. Like well over 400 degrees F. Their end goal is to get as high as they can get. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
Low temperature vaping
Getting as high as a kite is not always the goal. Some of us just want to get that serene and calming effect. I myself aim for that sedating effect. It clears my mind without getting in the way of my tasks. It is possible to get a slight buzz without getting super stoned.
If this is your goal, the ideal vaping temperature is between 300 to 330 degrees F. What’s good about vaping at these temperatures is you can also avoid any THC-induced paranoia.
At these lower temperatures, you can experience the mood-enhancing effects of cannabis terpenes coupled with the therapeutic effects of a bit of THC. Staying below the 334-degree F mark also lets you avoid most of the hard-hitting effects of the more potent strains of marijuana.
Vaping at moderate temperatures
Now, if your goal is to get a bit more buzz than what low-temperature vaping can offer, you can go for a temperature between 340 degrees to 370 degrees F. At these temperatures, you can still get that buzz that you’re after without getting too stoned. With moderate temperatures, your mood gets elevated and you feel more relaxed. What I like about this temperature range is I can still fully function.
For me, this is the perfect temperature if I want to spend a lazy day at home. I can just lounge at the sofa with a paperback and enjoy the slight buzz of my favorite strain. And just like what I mentioned earlier, I can easily get up and take care of chores if I need to because I am still fully functional.
High vaping temperatures
Of course, like what I mentioned earlier, you can vape at above 370 degrees F if you want to get an intense high and shoot for that mind-altering euphoria that only the most potent hits can deliver. At these temperatures, you can achieve that ultimate THC decarboxylation mode.
These are the temperatures you should shoot for if you need to get some much-needed sleep. I also know individuals who go for these temperatures whenever they want to meditate. However, keep in mind that it is easy to overdo it at such high temperatures.
If it’s your first time vaping at high temperatures, I suggest that you go for the lower range. If you overshoot your temperatures, you’ll notice that the vapor becomes smokier. It will also feel harsher on the lungs. You might end up ruining a good batch if you go for extreme temperatures right away. Better if you start on the lower end of the range and gradually increase it until you get that perfect temperature. You might not get that perfect hit right away but at least you’re not wasting a good batch.
How do I choose the right marijuana strain for me?
As mentioned earlier, getting the right effects involve two things, using the right temperature and choosing the right marijuana strain. Before you can choose the right temperature, you need to familiarize yourself with the different strains of marijuana. Each strain has a distinct terpene and cannabinoid profile. This means that they also deliver different effects at different temperatures.
Let’s say that you’re going for a soothing high with pain-relieving benefits, you need to go for a marijuana strain that has a high CBD and low THC content. This strain can give you the therapeutic effects of cannabis without getting you too high. If this is your goal, then you can choose the Ringo’s Gift strain. This strain has an earthy hash taste and aroma. It is a strain that makes the body feel soothed and relaxed. On top of these, the low THC content ensures that you get a mild yet noticeable high. This is a perfect strain if you want to get a body buzz that makes you relaxed but not couch-locked.
There is a lot of information available online on the CBD and THC contents of the strains available in the market. All it takes is a click of the mouse and you get an informed choice on what strain will work best for you.
Final word
Vaping is not just about putting an herb or oil in your vape pen or mod and vaping away. You can do just that if you just want to vape. However, if you want to make the fullest out of your vaping, you need to understand the proper way of vaping. Using the right temperature is a key factor in vaping. More so when you use marijuana on your vape.
Temperature dictates how high you will get when you vape. It also depends on the temperature whether you’ll experience euphoria or anxiety. This is why it is crucial to know what temperature to use when vaping. Setting the right temperature is easy since most mods are already digital. This means that half of the task is done for you. The only thing left to do is ask yourself what you want to experience when you take that first hit.
Additional Resources:
- https://www.heylocannabis.com/post/thc-cbd-terpenes-and-finding-the-right-ratio-for-you
- https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-pinene-and-what-are-the-benefits-of-this-cannabis-terpene
- https://www.marijuanabreak.com/best-high-cbd-strains
- https://www.marijuanabreak.com/best-vape-temperature-for-weed
- https://keytocannabis.com/blogs/cannabis/what-s-the-perfect-temperature-for-vaping-cannabis
- https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-ideal-temperature-settings-for-vaporizers-n936
