Smoking a bong is a great way to consume cannabis for medical purposes. It allows you to deliver cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream, thus providing immediate medicinal effects. Although how to consume cannabis is a personal preference, using a bong has many advantages. It can help you have a smoother experience without fiddling around with the papers.
Bongs generate smoke by heating flowers or buds. Flower refers to the part of the marijuana plant, which has gone through different processes, such as cultivation, drying, and curing. With a medical marijuana card, you can purchase different types of cannabis flowers with different levels of cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD.
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What’s a Bong?
A bong is a kind of pipe, which is used for smoking cannabis. It produces a clean-tasting, smooth marijuana smoking experience. The use of water helps in filtering harmful chemicals. Various studies published in the 1970s say that THC tends to pass through the water while leaving behind the harmful substances, which can cause certain health issues.
Bongs are available in many sizes and come with various features that can help enhance the smoking experience. The major parts of a bong are-
Bowl
It holds the buds, which are heated to generate the smoke. The bowl is made entirely from glass, however, some manufacturers also use metal or copper materials.
Stem
It’s a tube to which the bowl and the bong are connected to each other. The stem extends into the base, and is partially submerged in water.
Base
It holds water. The base is the part where the smoke is generated and bubbled out from the water.
Chamber
A large cylinder that acts as the path for the smoke. It extends up from the base.
Mouthpiece
A large opening in the upper portion of the bong, where the smoke is inhaled into the mouth.
How Does a Bong Work?
Before you use a bong, you need to learn how to prepare it. Start by adding water until the stem is submerged. Usually, 3-7 cm of the stem should be in the water, based on the size of your bong. However, some smokers like using other liquids instead of water to enhance the taste. Now, fill the bowel with marijuana buds by breaking them into small pieces. In case you are smoking with a group of friends, you should pack enough cannabis.
After you prepared the bong, it’s now time to enjoy the hits. Light the cannabis inside the bowl, and get the mouthpiece ready to draw the smoke. If you are smoking with your friends, make sure you light a small edge to make it last for a long time.
The smoke will get collected in the chamber, and you can inhale it through the mouthpiece. The smoke containing cannabinoids will reach the bloodstream, thus delivering immediate medicinal effects.
Cleaning your bong is necessary to achieve the best flavor. Remove the sticky resin completely as it can lead to the development of mold and bacteria. Follow the basic bong cleaning tips, and don’t take long.
Are There Any Health Risks?
Although smoking marijuana through a bong filter the smoke through water, it’s not 100 percent safe. The CDC and other health organizations say that marijuana smoke generates many of the same toxins as cigarette smoke. So, smoking cannabis can result in lung damage and various other health issues.
However, some patients prefer using bongs made from the plastic material. Plastic containing BPA and phthalates can cause various adverse effects, such as cancer.