Guides
Guides
Marijuana Withdrawal, Is It Real?
Let's start with the basics, detoxing is what happens the first few days to weeks after you stop putting whatever your substance of choice is into your body, this still applies to cannabis. When your body is detoxing, it is releasing the residual toxins from whatever you've been using/drinking (yes, this is also the same thing that happens when alcoholics stop drinking). Detox can usually be signified by specific symptoms, getting seriously unpleasant depending on the stuff that's being depleted from your system. So exactly how is cannabis detox different from others? And is it going to be as nasty as the stories of other detoxes you've heard about? The truth is that, yes, cannabis is quite different from other drugs when detoxing. The main reasoning is due to the fact that there still is no proof claiming that residual THC in your blood stream is toxic and unlikely causes any physical withdrawal symptoms in an individual trying to stop toking. Let me repeat, there is no proof to suggest that cannabis directly causes withdrawal symptoms. Then why do people still say they experience symptoms of withdrawal when taking a break from cannabis? Although cannabis has been proven to not release toxins into your bloodstream that cause physical symptoms, your psychological state can also causes symptoms just as real. Depending on how reliant you are on cannabis, like if you use it to help you sleep at night, how much time you spend high versus sober, or even if you simply use cannabis to relieve stress, these things will affect your mental state during your detox. Symptoms: There have been reports all across the web from 'no symptoms' all the way to 'worst week of my life.' It appears that one of the most common symptoms that is experienced (and one that I know I have experienced in the past) is insomnia, this can last from just a few nights, to a few weeks, and in extreme cases, a couple months. There have also been reports of mood-swings, irritability, and other emotionally destabilizing symptoms. As far as physical symptoms are concerned, the one that I hear most people experience is headaches, varying from very mild to constant discomfort. Another common symptom that many individuals abstaining from cannabis experiences is that of hunger, and it's different from person-to-person. Some individuals feel as if they have the munchies all the time, whereas others feel unable to eat for days on end, even claiming to experience nausea at times. Others suffer from excessive sweating, both awake and while sleeping. (I know that I get hand-sweats when I stop smoking. Weirdest thing ever, in my opinion.) Generally, most people only experience these symptoms for a couple days to a week, but it mainly depends on how heavy of a cannabis smoker you are, and how long you have been smoking. Other factors also determine how long your symptoms will last, such as your current psychological state, your level of daily activity, (if you exercise regularly the detox will go a lot smoother, I promise), and your diet prior and during your detox. (Pretend you're a fish, bro. Drink plenty of water.) But wait, here's the kicker: Many of you will not experience any symptoms at all. You may just be able to go back and forth from toker to sober at will, possibly because you take good care of yourselves. Feature Image Source: FoxNews.com --- Have you experienced cannabis withdrawals? Share your story in the comments!
5 Things You Must Know To Become A Budtender
These days everyone wants to become a budtender. I don’t blame them, being a budtender would be a pretty amazing job. Before you attempt to become one, there are some things that you should know. A passion for cannabis is a great start, but there are some things that every good budtender must know. Have Some Knowledge Of Cannabis Before attempting to become a budtender, you should definitely have some rudimentary knowledge of cannabis. No, I do not mean knowing how to smoke it. I mean you should know the difference between indica and sativa. You should also know what they do. For example, sativas are more psychoactive, whereas indicas give the user a more relaxing high. You should probably be able to recognize indicas and sativas on sight, which you won’t be perfect at first, but you’ll probably pick it up pretty quickly. Medical Benefits Of Cannabis If you want to be a good budtender, then you should definitely know a lot about the medical benefits of cannabis. Potential customers are going to be asking you what strains are the best for treating headaches, anxiety, etc. For example, if a customer asks you what strain would be best to help them with anxiety, you should know to recommend an indica. Basic Knowledge Of Concentrates Concentrates are quickly becoming the most popular way to consume cannabis, so you should absolutely know what concentrates are, and you should know the different types: wax, budder, shatter, honey, etc. You should also know more than a thing or two about dabbing, such as the different types of dab rigs, nails, and you get the idea. Along with dabbing, you should also have extensive knowledge of vaping. Be up to date on all the new ways of consuming cannabis. How Dosing Works All good budtenders should know a lot about edibles and dosing. Customers are going to be asking you a lot of questions about the different types of edibles available. Different edibles do different things and there are a LOT of varieties of edibles on the market. You should know about everything from candies to cannabis infused drinks. Cannabis Laws Dispensaries are required to follow a lot of strict laws in order to stay in business, so you need to know everything about compliance laws in your area. Selling customers products that are not compliant with your state or country’s laws could not only lose you your job, your dispensary could lose their license as well. Being a budtender is a fun and rewarding job for sure, but before you attempt to be one, you need to make sure that you are knowledgeable in all of these things. Few people start their careers right off as a budtender. They usually start off as a cashier first to gain the experience and expertise that they need. Be wary of certification programs, as some of them are not what they claim to be. It helps to know someone who actually works in the industry. There’s a lot of things that you need to know, so it’s a good thing that researching cannabis is a lot of fun. Featured Image Source: MerryJane.com --- Are you looking to become a budtender? Are you already one and have some advice to give? Share in the comments!
Spoon Pipe vs Sherlock Pipe: Which Is The Superior Smoking Device?
Spoon pipes are reliable and you can generally find them everywhere. Sherlock pipes are cool looking and not as common. Both suit a stoner’s smoking needs just fine. Spoon pipes are better than sherlock pipes for some reasons and vice versa. Which one is the superior smoking device? You be the judge. Spoon Pipes Are Easier To Clean Spoon pipes are easier to clean than sherlock pipes because of the way that they are shaped. Getting resin from a sherlock pipe can be a huge hassle, especially if you have a sherlock with a huge dip. There’s always resin that you just can’t reach when you try to clean it out with a bobby pin, or whatever it is that you prefer to scrape with. Of course you can always boil it to clean it, but then you won’t be able to save resin if you get desperate. Spoon Pipes Don’t Clog As Quickly Sherlock pipes tend to get clogged more often than a spoon pipe, again because of the way that they’re shaped. It’s harder to empty a cashed bowl in a sherlock pipe because you can’t tap it against your palm to empty it, the way you can with a spoon pipe. If you are using a sherlock, you’ll definitely want to use a screen to prevent clogging. Spoon Pipes Are Cheaper Spoon pipes are usually cheaper than sherlock pipes. If you need a pipe and don’t have a lot of extra dough to spend on a piece, then a spoon pipe is probably your best bet. Spoon pipes are also easier to replace when they break. Spoon Pipes Can Be Fixed If you break your spoon pipe, you can usually put it back together using epoxy. That is, unless you’ve broken it into a million tiny pieces. Once you put it back together it usually hits just fine. Depending on where you broke a sherlock you might not be able to put it back together, and if you do, it won’t hit the same. Sherlock Pipes Are More Ergonomic Sherlock pipes are more ergonomic, meaning they fit into your hand better. Why do you think tobacco pipes are shaped this way? The way that a sherlock pipe fits into your hand means that you are less likely to drop it when you’re stoned. I’ve never dropped a sherlock pipe, except for one time when it was in my lap and I forgot it was there. If you have both types, try holding one in each hand, you’ll definitely notice a difference. Sherlock Pipes Look Cooler Sherlock pipes look cool and they make anyone holding one look cooler too. You just feel classy when you’re holding a well-made sherlock pipe. I like to pretend that I’m Gandalf the Grey when I’m smoking from a sherlock. Sherlock pipes tend to be thicker than some spoon pipes, which means that they are usually higher quality. Sherlock Pipes Hit Stronger The carb in a sherlock pipe is typically larger than a spoon pipe, which means that it gives you a bigger hit, closer to the size of a hit that you would get from a smaller bubbler. The bowl of a sherlock pipe is also bigger, so the bowl smokes longer, making it better for group settings or smokers with a higher tolerance. Sherlock pipes get you higher, so that would be an automatic win, right? Sherlock Pipes Are More Unique Spoon pipes are the more common of the two. Pretty much everyone I know has one or two. Sherlock pipes are a little more difficult to find, unless you live by a head shop. All spoon pipes are shaped the same, whereas most sherlock pipes are shaped differently (kind of like snowflakes). Glass artists tend to personalize their sherlock pipes. A sherlock is a real work of art. There are pros and cons of smoking from either a sherlock or spoon pipe. Both work great for your smoking needs. I’ve owned probably about thirty spoon pipes in my lifetime, and only two sherlocks. When one of my spoon pipes would break, I was sad, but I would move on pretty quickly and just buy another one. The last sherlock I broke, it was like losing a close friend. I’m getting sad again just thinking about it now. I know which type I prefer, but my smoking devices are like my children: I love them all for different reasons. Featured Image Source: WashingtonPost.com --- Which type of pipe do you prefer? Share in the comments!
7 Ways To Know You've Got Really Dank Bud
When you first enter the wonderful world of weed, you might not know if what you’re smoking is actually dank bud. Eventually you get to the point where you can spot dank buds on sight, but until then, here’s how you know if what you’re smoking is actually dank bud. The Smell Dank cannabis is going to smell either really skunky, or fruity depending on the strain and whether it’s an indica or a sativa. Dirt weed is going to smell more more like dirt, mold, or possibly chemicals depending on how it was grown. It’ll Be Covered In Crystals Really dank bud is going to be covered in THC crystals. When you touch a nug of dank cannabis your fingers should be covered in crystals, similar to the orange dust that covers your fingers after polishing off a bag of Cheetos. Crappy cannabis, on the other hand, will not be covered in crystals. No Stems Or Seeds Dank greens will have hardly any stems and usually no seeds. You’re usually good to just drop a fresh nug right in your pipe, without grinding it. Dirt weed is filled with nothing but stems and seeds. You have to break it apart before you even consider smoking it, lest you accidentally smoke a seed and make the entire bowl taste like shit. The Taste The taste of your cannabis is a huge indicator of how dank it is. Super dank bud will taste delicious. Depending on if you’re smoking an indica or sativa it may taste slightly fruity. Hits of dank bud are smooth and you will definitely cough less. Dirt weed will taste like it smells: like dirt. Your hit will be very harsh and you will definitely cough a lot. The High The high that you get from some really dank bud is undeniably better, than a high from dirt weed. A dank high is much cleaner feeling and way more relaxing. Mentally and physically you feel amazing. The high from dirt weed does not even come close to a dank high. Dirt weed usually just makes you feel kinda high for twenty minutes, and then it always turned into a headache for me. The Color Dank bud will mainly be bright green with some purple and orange mixed in, depending on the strain. Dank will be very pretty to look it, from both the color and the crystals. If your bud is brightly colored and it glitters, then you’ve for sure got some good dank. Dirt weed will be more brown than green and it won’t be that pleasant to look at. The Texture The dankest buds are going to be sticky and somewhat moist, which is one of the reasons it’s called dank. You might have heard people say that their cannabis is so sticky, that it sticks to the wall. One time, I actually did come across some super dank bud that really did stick to my wall for a second. That was some good grass. In contrast, dirt weed will be really dry and crumble when you touch it. It’s usually pretty obvious if you’re smoking dank bud, but sometimes you get some cannabis that looks pretty alright and then it turns out to be some of the nastiest you’ve ever smoked. Luckily, now you know what to look for. Featured Image Source: StonerCulture.com --- How do you know if you’ve got dank bud? Share in the comments!
Things You Can Put Into Your Bong Besides Water
Water isn't the only option, but it's still the smartest one. Smokers have tried everything from soda to snow in place of bong water. Flavored water and food coloring are the safest swaps since they're still water-based. Soda, juice, and milk are messier and harder to clean, so treat them as an occasional novelty rather than a daily habit. Below, we rank each alternative and cover cleanup and safety notes for every one. Is It Safe to Put Something Besides Water in a Bong? Water is the only liquid actually built for bong filtration, so it's the safest default for daily use. Other liquids can work in a pinch, but most weren't designed to be heated or inhaled through. Sugary or dairy-based options also leave residue that's harder to rinse out than plain water. If you experiment, treat it as a one-off rather than a routine, and shop bongs built for regular water filtration for everyday sessions. Bong Water Alternatives at a Glance Alternative Worth It? Note Flavored Water Yes Still water-based, easiest swap Food Coloring Yes Purely visual, doesn't change filtration Snow Caution Use clean, fresh snow only Tea Caution Let it cool first, can stain glass Fruit Juice Caution Sticky residue, rinse right away Soda Caution Carbonation varies by smoker, harder cleanup Milk Skip Curdles fast, tough residue to clean Soda Putting soda in a bong is more common than you'd think. Some smokers say the carbonation makes for a smoother pull, while others find it harsh. One workaround people mention is letting the soda go flat before using it, which cuts down on the fizz. If you're going to try it, a clear soda like Sprite or 7-Up will be easier to rinse out than a dark cola. Pro Tip: Soda leaves a sticky residue that's much harder to clean than water. Rinse your piece right after your session instead of letting it sit. Tea Some smokers prefer warmer water in their bong, and a few take it a step further with tea. Letting the tea cool to a comfortable temperature first is worth doing, since hot liquid straight from the kettle isn't something you want near glass or your mouth. Tea is also easier to clean up afterward than soda, since it doesn't have added sugar or carbonation. Fruit Juice Craving something sweet without the carbonation of soda? Fruit juice is a popular pick. It's less sticky than soda, but it still leaves behind a residue that plain water doesn't. Rinse your piece soon after using juice to keep sugar from building up inside the chamber. Flavored Water Flavored water, like Vitamin Water, is one of the more reasonable alternatives out there since it's still water at its core. It comes in enough varieties that you're likely to find one you like. Because it doesn't add sugar or carbonation the way soda or juice does, it's also the easiest of these swaps to clean up afterward. Snow Using snow instead of water is popular in colder regions. It melts gradually, which keeps your bong water cold through the session, similar to how ice catcher bongs are built to chill smoke on purpose. Only ever use clean, fresh snow. Snow that's been on the ground for a while can carry dirt, debris, or pollutants you don't want anywhere near your piece. Milk Milk in a bong sounds messy, and it is. Some smokers use chocolate milk specifically for the flavor, but dairy curdles quickly and leaves a residue that's genuinely tough to clean out of glass. If your piece has any hard-to-reach percolators, dairy is one of the toughest things to fully rinse out of them. A ceramic bong with a simpler chamber shape is easier to deep clean if you do want to experiment. Food Coloring This is the most low-risk option on the list, since you're still using water underneath. Food coloring doesn't affect the taste of your dry herb and won't leave sticky residue behind. It's also a fun way to make the water level easier to see in a multi-chambered piece, and it looks great through clear glass. Cleaning Up After a Water Alternative Whatever you use, plan to clean your piece sooner rather than later. Sugary and dairy-based liquids dry into a film that's harder to remove the longer it sits. A rinse with warm water right after your session goes a long way. For anything that's built up over time, our deep clean resin removal guide walks through the full process step by step. Acrylic pieces are also worth considering if you experiment with alternatives often, since acrylic bongs are more resistant to staining than glass and hold up well to frequent cleaning. Final Thoughts Water remains the simplest, cleanest option for your bong, but there's no harm in switching things up occasionally. Flavored water and food coloring are the lowest-risk swaps, while soda, juice, tea, and snow all call for a bit more care and a faster cleanup. Skip juice and go easy on the milk unless you're prepared for a deep clean afterward. For more ways to switch up your setup, check out our gravity bong roundup for another take on creative bong culture.
What To Do With Your Resin
The worst has happened to you: you’ve run out of cannabis. For one reason or another, you cannot get more until tomorrow or *shudder* the day after. There is an option. You might not like it, but you can smoke the resin that has been building up in your piece since the last time you cleaned it. Smoke It Straight This is the most obvious and also one of the least palatable solutions. Scrape your pipe with a bobby pin, paper clip, or some other metal apparatus. If you have never scraped a smoking pipe before, you’ll get better results if you heat it first. Wait for it to start smoking, and then start scraping. The heat will liquefy your resin, making it easier to extract. Once you’ve got what you need, roll it into a ball, load it and smoke up. Be wary, it will be harsh and you will cough. Combine With Shake Or Kief If you have a giant, black resin ball and the thought of smoking it straight gives you a headache, you also have the option of taking your resin and rolling it around in any leftover shake or kief you’re sure to have lying around. If you don’t think you have any lying around, trust me, you do. The first place to check is your grinder. You should have a pretty nice supply built up in there. The next place, will be your stash jar. Look in the corners, you should have a fine layer in there. If you save your baggies, you can also find some leftover shake in there. One time when I was out, I went through my collection of leftover bags, and I found enough shake that I didn’t even need the resin anymore. Take Knife Hits With It Exercise caution if you’re going to take resin knife hits. This is the best way to use resin, in my opinion because it will get you really high. The caveat is that the hit is ridiculously harsh, especially if you take knife hits using a bong and a bell apparatus, as I do. Don’t make gigantic hits, a little will go a long way. If you make your hit too big, you’ll cough till you puke, and end up with a headache. Try To Make Resin Hash I’ve never personally done this because the process a) was more effort than I’ve ever wanted to put into smoking resin and b) seems like it would be really gross. According to the internet, it works. You can take your resin and soak it in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol for an hour or so. Filter the liquid through a coffee filter or cheesecloth and smoke what’s left after it’s dried out. Again, I’ve never done this one before, so do at your own risk. Give To A Friend In Need If you prefer to just go without than smoke resin, you can always give it away. You know the saying, “A friend with weed is a friend indeed.” The same applies to resin. A smoker who is both out of cannabis and between paychecks certainly qualifies as a friend in need. Your friend will be forever in your debt and likely to smoke you out when they re-up. Also, don’t try to sell your resin. That’s just rude. I personally don’t like smoking resin and haven’t in years, but I remember what it was like to want to catch a buzz and have no options. Smoking resin will get you mildly high, but it won’t last long and you’ll probably end up with a headache. Smoking resin is also not healthy because you’re smoking tar and waste products. If you find that you’re constantly smoking resin, you should really learn how to manage your supply better. Do you like smoking with a pipe and are you looking for a new one? Check out our smoking pipes and take a look at the popular glass pipes. Featured Image Source: PhotoBucket.com--- How have you coped with being out of cannabis? Have you ever tried to make resin hash? Let us know in the comments!
Stoner Survival Kit: Your Guide To Not Being Ripped Off
When you first begin smoking, the world of weed might seem pretty overwhelming at first. You’ll learn most of what you need to know as you go. Until then, here’s your guide to not being ripped off. Be Chill With Your Dealer Your dealer is your life force and you want to avoid pissing him or her off. Maintain a good relationship with them. That means don’t be too persistent when you are trying to pick up. Remember that your dealer is a person with their own life, which doesn’t revolve around you buying cannabis from them. If they say to call them in three hours, don’t call them three times in an hour. This is bad etiquette, and can also lead to both of you getting caught. Be respectful and they will be good to you. If your dealer wants you to come chill sometime, you should take them up on this offer. Also important is not overstaying your welcome. You don’t want to be a lingerer. Have Your Own Scale If it’s pretty obvious that you are a novice, some dealers might try to get away with selling you a lighter bag. Most people that I’ve dealt with consider this to be an ultimate breach in stoner etiquette and won’t pull this trick, but it does happen, especially if you’re not chill with your dealer (see above). You should definitely get your own scale, if you are going through a person who insists that they know how to eyeball. This is especially important if you are buying in quantity Ask Questions If you are new to the market and not sure what you are buying, ask questions. This will make you seem like you want to learn about the process. If you’re not sure how much should be in a single, ask. When they are weighing it out, ask to see what the scale reads. Tell them you’re curious and trying to be the most responsible smoker you can be. This is better than staying silent. They will assume you don’t really care. Pay Them On Time If you are at the point in your relationship with your dealer, where they allow you to front make sure you pay them on time! Your dealer is showing that they trust you and it is your responsibility to maintain that trust. If you say that you will pay them next Tuesday, you’d better pay them on Tuesday ASAP. Unpaid fronts fall on your dealer and making them pay out of their own pocket will piss them off and ruin your relationship. On the same subject, make sure that you have your money when you go to pick up, especially if you’re just starting out with this person. Don’t try to pull the “Oh, I’m short five dollars, can you spot me just this once,” trick, unless you have a good rapport with your dealer. If you find that you are short, don’t let it happen again. Lastly, pay with large bills, and never pay with change. Learn How To Spot Fake Cannabis I really hope no one pulls this anymore because it is the biggest dick move in the stoner world. Shady dealers might try to sell you oregano mixed with a bit of honey to make it stick together. I’ve seen people try to sell novices catnip. Luckily, both are easy to spot and are recognizable by their smell. Now that synthetic cannabis (aka spice or K2) is around someone might try to trick you with that. Learn how to recognize the appearance and smell of the real deal. Hopefully you never have to deal with someone who is trying to rip you off, but some people are jerks and will try to regardless. If you do end up getting ripped off, then you’ll know what to look for next time. You’ll also know it’s time to find a new dealer. Featured Image Source: CollegeMagazine.com (Pineapple Express Movie) --- Do you have any advice for novices? Let us know in the comments!
5 Ways To Give Yourself A "Higher" High
After you’ve been smoking cannabis for a while you begin to develop a tolerance. That’s just the way your body works. Some stoners just smoke more weed, but this is expensive. Some suggest quitting for a couple weeks to lower your tolerance. Quitting works, but that’s no fun.As it turns out, there are many ways to give yourself a “higher” high, which are also good for you! Take 5-htp Prior To Smoking 5-Hydroxytryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid and metabolic intermediate which helps stimulate the production of serotonin in the body. 5-Hydroxytryptophan aka 5-htp is also sold over the counter as a nutritional supplement. It is also legal and widely available at stores nationwide. Next time you smoke, try taking two capsules before you plan on getting high. Since 5-htp stimulates serotonin production, you’ll experience more of that euphoric feeling that you got when you first started smoking. Be sure to only take 5-htp as directed. Do not take 5-htp if you are already taking anti-depressants. Eat Fruits Rich In Myrcene Cannabis contains a terpene, or an unsaturated hydrocarbon which helps deliver THC more effectively to the brain. Myrcene is also in mangoes, lemongrass, and hops. The higher the quality of your cannabis, the more myrcene is in it. Try eating a mango or drinking tea containing lemongrass 45 minutes to an hour before you plan on smoking. You might be surprised how much higher you get and how much longer your high lasts. Eat Dark Chocolate There is a reason why stoners always crave chocolate. It’s because cacao and THC work really well together. This is because cacao releases the neurotransmitter anandamide, which is known as the “bliss chemical” in your brain. Why do you think pot brownies work so well? Why dark chocolate? Dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cacao. The higher the cacao, the higher your high. Get Off The Couch Here’s another reason for you to start working out, like you’ve been saying you would do. Doing cardiovascular exercises after you work out, will not only boost your heart rate, it will also boost your high. Recent studies conducted by the University of Sydney in Australia have shown that working out for just thirty minutes after smoking a bowl will not only increase the potency, but also the length of your high. That’s an excellent reason not to sit on the couch and binge watch Netflix. Eat Some Curry Most curries contain a yellow spice known as turmeric. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been reported to enhance a cannabis high to the point where it feels like the first time you got baked. This is partly because curcumin also works as a mild antidepressant, in addition to being an anti inflammatory. As an added bonus, curcumin is known to help prevent cancer. Go get some Indian food after smoking down. I have tested all of these methods and I can tell you that they not only work, they work really well. Exercise caution when taking nutritional supplements such as 5-htp as they can counteract any current medications you might be taking. Take supplements only as directed, and do not take more than you need. Featured Image Source: Youtube --- Have you tried any of these? Have they worked for you? Do you have any of your own tricks for getting a “higher high?” Let us know in the comments!
Tired Of Hacking Up A Lung? Get Smoother Hits
There are so many enjoyable moments when smoking cannabis, from the exhilaration to the taste, even the smells and sights that come with it, but for all of these enjoyable moments, there is still one moment that can overpower all of the others. A rough draw can leave your throat raw, hot, and might throw you into a crazy coughing fit. If you're going for the largest rips possible, this might be normal for you, and you're cool with it, but if you're just trying to create a more pleasurable toking experience for yourself with some smoother hits, check out these helpful tips! 1. Ice The simplest way to smoothen your hits is to make the smoke cooler. Generally if you're smoking with a waterpipe you're already reducing the temperature with smoke percolating in the water, but many pieces also come with specific notches or holds for ice within the piece for extra cooling. If your piece doesn't have ice catchers, put ice in the base of your piece, or in your gravity bong water, reducing the temperature of the water will work just as well as letting the smoke pass right over the ice. 2. Half-breath, half-hit Many people first start smoking pot with the assumption that stoners always take a full breath of pure, milky smoke. While this is true for many stoners, it's not the whole truth. In fact, many, many, stoners will take half of a breath of clean air before starting their hit. This makes it so that the clean air mixes with the smoke in your lungs so that it isn't as harsh of a hit. This is how I still smoke to this day, and it especially helped me when I first started smoking joints and spliffs! 3. Slower, less powerful draws The faster you try to inhale your hit, the more force you're going to be pulling through the pipe or joint. The more force you have in your inhales, the harsher of a hit you're going to have. When you rush your draw you bring in extreme heat and particulates into your throat and lungs in a rapid manner that can shock your body into coughing, also, the more force you put into your hits the more likely you are to pull some of that bud right back into your mouth or throat. Nothing stops a hit mid-motion like Scooby Snacks do, so just take your time and take some deep, slow, draws for the smoothest experience. 4. Staying hydrated In my time, most of the stoners that I have met were totally unaware that Cotton Mouth can be the effect of toking and dehydration. Staying hydrated while smoking is incredibly important not only for a smoother draw, but to support body health (duh). If you want to have continuously harsh hit after harsh hit, don't drink any liquids, or better yet, drink soda. Water is irreplaceable to soothe your throat and lungs when toking, personally, since starting smoking cannabis I have never gone anywhere without a full water-bottle. 5. Practice, practice, practice. Much of your ability to have a smooth hit will stem from how much experience you have smoking, and how you approach it. Although it is true that the bigger of hits you try to take the more likely it is to be rough, however if you shy away from big hits always, they'll always have that effect. Consider this the 'Trial by Fire' method, taking fat rips may damage your lungs for a few moments, but you'll find that these experiences help forge lungs of steel that can rip it all day long with little worry. Featured Image Source: tumblr --- These are the few big ways that I know how to get a silky smooth hit, but what else can you do for that perfect draw? Let us know in the comments!
How to Smoke Without a Lighter?
Losing your lighter mid-sesh doesn't have to end the night. There are a handful of reliable ways to light a bowl, blunt, or joint without one, from household items you already have to purpose-built lighter-free devices. Here's what actually works, and what to avoid. Why You Might Need to Smoke Without a Lighter It happens more often than you'd think: A lighter runs dry mid-pack, or the flint wears out It gets left behind in another jacket or bag It goes missing between the couch cushions, again Camping trips, power outages, or windy outdoor sessions leave you without a working flame If you're wondering how to light a smoke without a lighter, the best alternative depends on what you have available. Quick Reference: Lighter Alternatives at a Glance Method Difficulty Reliability Best For Hot knives Moderate, takes practice Low to moderate Emergency, at home only Spaghetti noodle / toothpick Easy Moderate Quick fix near a stove Candle Easy Moderate to high At home, controlled setting Matches Easy High Anywhere, if you have them Hemp wick Easy High Everyday backup, once lit stays lit USB arc lighter Easy High Outdoors, windy conditions DynaVap / heat-on-demand Moderate, needs a torch High Frequent flame-free sessions Dry herb vaporizer Easy High Skipping flame entirely Household Items That Work as Alternatives A few common household items can get a bowl lit in a pinch. None of these are as convenient as a lighter, but they'll work when you're stuck. Stove burner and hot knife method: Heat two metal knives directly on a stove burner until they're glowing hot. Use one knife to pick up a small amount of flower and press it against the other. Inhale through a cut-open plastic bottle chilled in the freezer, sometimes called a "freezer buddy," to trap and cool the smoke so less is wasted. This takes practice and is easier with a second person helping, so it's worth trying with a friend before going solo. Dry spaghetti noodle or toothpick: Hold a dry spaghetti noodle to a hot stove burner until the tip catches. Once it's lit, use it the same way you'd use a match to light a bowl, blunt, or joint. A toothpick works the same way, though its shorter length means less margin for error. Candle: Light a candle from a stove burner. Tilt it toward your bowl the way you would a lighter. Fresh candles work best since the wax hasn't pooled yet. Pour off any hot wax onto a heatproof plate first so you're not fighting drips while you're trying to light up. Matches: The simplest fallback if you have any on hand. They're worth keeping in the same drawer as your gear specifically so you're never fully without a backup. Using Hemp Wick or a Fire-Starting Alternative If you want something more reliable than improvised stove tricks, a hemp wick is one of the best middle-ground options. It's a waxed cord you light once with any flame source, including a match or a stove burner. It burns slowly and steadily from there, giving you repeated light without repeated effort. Since it only needs one ignition to keep going, it's a solid option to keep in a bag specifically as a backup for when a lighter isn't available. Electronic & Battery-Powered Alternatives Battery-powered options have come a long way and are worth considering if you want something that doesn't rely on an open flame at all. USB arc lighters: Use an electric arc instead of butane, so there's no fluid to run out of, just a charge to maintain. Work well for bowls and are genuinely windproof, which makes them useful outdoors where a regular flame struggles. DynaVap and similar heat-on-demand devices: DynaVap devices don't use a flame at all in the traditional sense. You heat the tip with a torch or induction heater until it clicks, then draw as it cools, similar in spirit to a vaporizer but without a battery inside the device itself. It's a different category from a simple flame replacement, but it solves the same underlying problem: getting flower hot enough to smoke without carrying a standard lighter. Dry herb vaporizers: If lighting flower directly isn't a requirement, a dry herb vaporizer sidesteps the lighter question completely. These heat flower to a vapor point using an internal battery, so there's no flame, no butane, and no combustion involved at all, just charge it and go. Safety Tips: What to Avoid A few of these methods carry more risk than others, so it's worth being careful about which shortcuts you take. Don't substitute butane with other flammable liquids. Sticking to purpose-built fuel and flame sources is far safer than improvising with anything not designed to be burned near your face. Be careful with open flames near hair, loose clothing, or dry materials. Stove burners, candles, and hot knives all carry real burn risk if you're not paying attention. Let hot metal or wax cool before handling. Knives and candle wax stay hot longer than they look, so give yourself a buffer before touching either. Don't leave a stove burner unattended. Heating knives or lighting a wick only takes a minute, but it's an easy step to forget about once your attention shifts elsewhere. Keep a real lighter or hemp wick on hand when possible. These household methods are solid backups, not a long-term replacement for a reliable flame source. If you'd rather not rely on improvised methods at all, a stocked lighters and torches collection covers reliable, purpose-built options worth keeping around so you're not searching for a workaround in the first place. Bottom Line Running out of a lighter doesn't have to end your session. Stove tricks, hemp wick, and battery-powered devices all get the job done in a pinch, and a dry herb vaporizer sidesteps the problem entirely if you're open to switching things up. Keep a backup method in mind, and a dead lighter becomes a minor inconvenience instead of a dealbreaker.
The Science Behind Gravity Bongs
Most of us have made and used a gravity bong at some point during our smoking sessions. They are easy to make, and require less cannabis than a standard water bong.They are also guaranteed to give you a strong hit and a smooth high. Understanding the science behind gravity bongs will help you construct a better, more efficient gravity bong and make the most of your cannabis consumption. There are two different types of gravity bongs: the bucket bong and the “waterfall” or reverse bucket bong. The bucket bong requires a small bucket, filled close to the brim with clean water, an empty bottle (most smokers prefer a two liter soda bottle), a bottle cap, a rubber stopper, or “bung,” and a bowl (which can be purchased here, if you don't have one already). Once you have these items, drill a hole into the bottle cap. You can also use a knife, but a drill is safer. Cut the bottom off of the bottle, preferably using a serrated knife. How much you want to cut off, depends on how big you want your hit to be. Most smokers prefer to cut just above the bottom of the bottle, for the largest hit possible. Next, you’ll place the bowl with the bung fit snugly around it into the hole in the cap. Make sure that the seal is airtight, otherwise your bong will not work properly. Place the empty bottle into the bucket of water and then carefully screw the cap onto the bottle. You should have packed the bowl by this point. As you light the bowl, slowly pull the bottle out of the bucket. You should see the bottle fill up with thick smoke. You’ll want to pull the bottle up slowly, but not too slowly, or your hit will taste stale and gross. Do not pull the bottle completely out of the water or your hit will be lost, and you’ll be guilty of committing a “party foul." Once you’ve filled the bottle up with smoke, unscrew the cap and push the bottle back down as you inhale. The pressure created from pushing the bottle down forces the smoke into your lungs. Image Source: TheWeedBlog Waterfalls are the same concept except instead of using a bucket full of water, you use an empty bucket and you fill the bottle with water. Instead of cutting off the entire bottom of the bottle, poke one hole in the bottom of the bottle, as close to the center as possible.There is a reason for this, which I will get to later. Make sure the hole is small enough that you can seal it with your finger. When you are cutting the bottle, make sure you have the cap on there so the bottle will hold its shape as you are cutting into it. Construct the bowl the same way you would with a bucket bong, and again make sure the seal is completely airtight. As you are filling your bottle with water, plug the hole at the bottom with your finger so the water doesn’t leak out. After you fill the bottle with water, cap it and light the bowl, while allowing the water the flow from the bottle. The reason you want a hole in the center of the bottle is so that the water is perfectly streamlined as it flows from the bottle. Stabbing random holes in the sides or on the bottom doesn’t allow for perfect water flow so your hit will be more stale, and you’ll lose smoke. When you’ve got as big a hit as you want, unscrew the cap and inhale deeply! Image Source: Pinterest Gravity bongs and waterfalls are an excellent way to smoke because you can still get a good high, while conserving your cannabis. The way that a gravity bong is used and constructed keeps you from losing precious smoke, and the seal keeps your hit fresh and strong. Featured Image Source: YouTube --- How do you prefer to make your gravity bongs? Do you have any tips for us? Let us know in the comments.
Thinking Of Taking A Break From Cannabis? These Resources Will Help You Out!
From stress-relief to pain-reduction, the medical and personal results can change someone's life infinitely for the better. However, cannabis can still be a vice for some people. Whether it be from extended use, the development of an extreme tolerance, you utilize cannabis in an unhealthy manner, or you're simply getting ready to apply for a new job, it's always important to take care of yourself and be responsible with your cannabis use. If you're considering taking a break from your vape or dab rig to reduce your tolerance, or thinking of just making a lifestyle change, check out some of these awesome resources to help you out! 1. /r leaves The subreddit sibling of /r trees, /r leaves has a more direct purpose than just sharing the love of cannabis. /r leaves has the specific goal of helping others whom have reached a point in their lives that they have decided they want to either take a break, or completely stop, utilizing cannabis. The beautiful thing about this subreddit, in my opinion, is that the group is in no way an anti-weed, "Cannabis will destroy you," type of group, just normal people sharing their stories about why they're taking a break. This subreddit includes dozens upon dozens of self-success stories, links to outside websites, and is a thriving self-supporting community that is worldwide, so you'll never be lacking friends going through something similar to you. 2. QuitMarijuana.org This website, despite the cliched name, provides a very useful guide and commentary of reasons why and how you should take a break from cannabis. Although the website will try and get you to sign up for their free e-book, the site still has many accessible pages that list various benefits, plans, and step-by-step actions to help you make the most informed decision about your cannabis break. 3. Marijuana-Anonymous.org This is a marijuana anonymous website for a group based in Australia that focuses on the reduction of cannabis use towards a more positive lifestyle. The website offers helpful guides to lead to a lasting cannabis break, but the advice is also equally applicable for those who just wish to take a few days or weeks away from the leaf. The twelve steps that it provides for the group are fairly general and useful for reminders while on the path of recovery. In addition to these steps, the website has been a worthy recourse of recovery stories. Whenever you feel unsure of how to proceed or what other people go through during the process, the site has dozens of personal stories to relate to. Featured Image Source: AskMen.com --- How often do you end up taking breaks from cannabis? For personal reasons or for employment? Do you have any tips to help us get through our own breaks? Share in the comments!
