Kindbud
Grower
sence some one made a paper or blunt poll why not a bowl or bong poll lol i like my bongs dont get me wrong but i like a nice glass bowl over a bong anyday just my 2 cents
<H3>Methods of Ingestion
Smoked marijuana has been shown to be a more effective medicine for a number of ailments, when compared to orally ingested THC capsules. There are a number of methods of smoking marijuana, some of which can help to reduce the inherent perils of inhaling hot vapors containing particulate matter. Common methods include a rolled cigarette or joint, a pipe similar to a tobacco pipe, and various types of water pipes.
Most studies concerning the physiological effects of smoking marijuana have used joints to administer the smoke. This method is commonly used with lower grades of marijuana by casual users, as it is fairly inefficient. Studies have shown that only about 10% to 20% of the THC contained in the original marijuana is converted into main stream smoke that enters the smoker's body, and not all of this is absorbed by the smoker's lungs. (cite Research Findings on Smoking of Abused Substances) Pipes are a more efficient method of smoking, but still allow for less than 45% of the THC to be available to the smoker. (Citation and more information)
So far the most efficient means of smoking has been through a water pipe. These devices have a couple of advantages over conventional pipes. First of all, virtually none of the smoke is lost to the surroundings, or "side-stream smoke." This is achieved by loading the bowl with only as much marijuana as can be inhaled in one breath. The smoker draws all of the smoke into the chamber of the water pipe, combusting all of the marijuana, then "clears" the chamber in one breath. (cite Research Findings on Smoking of Abused Substances p. 45) Another advantage is that the hot smoke is passed through cool water before it reaches the smoker's throat. The advantages to this are twofold. First the smoke is cooled, which makes it easier for the smoker to inhale without coughing and reduces the damage done to the throat. Secondly, as the smoke passes through the water, some of the particulate matter that is suspended in it is filtered into the water. The THC molecule is not water soluble, so very little of it is lost to the water.
A study is currently under way at the Institute for Smoking and Health in New York. Headed by Dr. Hoffman, this study's aim is to determine the harm-reduction potential of smoking marijuana through a water pipe as opposed to other methods. Funded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), this study will attempt to determine the most effective type of water pipe, then compare the constituents of the smoke that it provides the smoker with the smoke from a standard unfiltered joint. To determine the most effective water pipe, the researchers will measure the proportions of THC delivered to the amount of tar in the smoke. This study will also look at the feasibility and effectiveness of a vaporizer. This device is fundamentally different from other types of smoking in that it is not actually smoking at all. The vaporizer heats the marijuana to a point that is hot enough to activate the THC and release it in the form of steam, but not hot enough to actually burn the plant material. This form of ingestion holds great potential for a high THC/tar ratio, but is at this point a tedious process. Information about vaporization of cannabis versus smoking it is still fairly scant, but it is growing.