Smoking weed is one of the most common ways people use cannabis. It can be fun or help some people relax, but it’s important to know that smoking weed, just like smoking cigarettes, brings smoke into your lungs. That smoke has tar and chemicals that can cause breathing problems over time. If you’re new to smoking weed, here’s a simple guide to the main ways people do it — and which might be less harmful.
Joints
Joints are very popular. They’re made by rolling ground-up weed in paper, often made of hemp, rice, or other materials. To make it less difficult to grip, you may attach a little filter at one end. To roll a joint, crush the weed (remove any seeds or stems), place it into the paper with a filter if you want, roll it up, light the tip, and inhale from the end with the filter.
Be careful when choosing rolling papers. Some papers—especially flavored, bleached, or fast-burning ones—can contain chemicals that might hurt your lungs. exploring how cannabis affects the body can help you make safer choices. It is preferable to use natural or unbleached papers. If you’re worried about smoke exposure, other methods like bongs or pipes may be safer..
Blunts
Blunts are similar to joints but are wrapped in cigar or tobacco leaf paper, not rolling paper. This means they have nicotine, which can make you feel dizzy, sick, or give you headaches. Blunts are usually larger and burn slower.
To roll a blunt, crush your weed, cut open a cigar, or use a blunt wrap, remove the tobacco if needed, moisten the wrap, fill it with weed, roll it into a tube, light one end, and inhale. Even though they look cool, blunts carry the extra risk of tobacco smoke.
Pipes
Pipes (also called bowls or spoons) are simple to use. They have a bowl to hold the cannabis, a mouthpiece, and a stem. A carb is a small hole found in some pipes that aid in airflow regulation.
To use a pipe, break down the weed and place it in the bowl. Light it and inhale through the mouthpiece. If there’s a carb, cover it with your finger while lighting, then release it as you inhale to clear the smoke.
Bongs
Bongs use water to filter and cool the smoke, so hits are smoother which has a mouthpiece, a downstream, and a bowl. While many people think bongs are healthier because of the water, research says they don’t remove many harmful toxins.
To use a bong, fill some water to the base, add weed to the bowl, and ignite it as you inhale. Once the smoke builds up, pull out the bowl to clear it and inhale fully.
Conclusion
Although smoking weed can feel good, doctors say all smoke can irritate your lungs and throat. If you have breathing or heart problems, consider non-smoking options like edibles or tinctures. And if you’re pregnant, it’s best to avoid weed, since it may affect the baby’s health.