This seems like an interesting, but a little bit dated thread. Methods that maximize the potency of your bud are always welcome
. So I did a little research, and threw in a few of my own questions.
Based on the list of temperatures that gogrow posted earlier in this thread, the first molecules that evaporate are terpenoids at 31 C , so what are terpenoids and how do they effect the high?
Source:
http://cannabination.com/tag/terpenoids/
"There are numerous references in popular Cannabis literature which claim that Cannabis strains can smell like mango, melon, and even grapes. Well, it might not be their imagination. The odor of cannabis comes from over 120 terpenes (a.k.a. terpenoids fragrance molecules) that are made by the plant... Terpenes have some interesting effects on humans, including modulating the effects of THC (2) and decreasing memory loss... One terpene is unique to Cannabis (m-mentha-1,8(9)-dien-5-ol). All others occur in fruits, vegetables, and flowers."
Basically they contribute to the smell and flavor of the bud, they say it helps to modulate the effects of THC i.e help make the THC effects more mellow.
By 39 C most of the terpenoids have evoporated.
At 50 C, THC gets released from it's base, allowing it to flow with the air stream (hopefully toward your lungs). This is the step when THC is considered active, that is, it can bind with other molecules.
At 66 C, Cannabidiol starts to evaporate. What is cannabidiol you ask?
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
[Cannabidiol] has displayed sedative effects in animal tests. Some research, however, indicates that CBD can increase alertness. It may decrease the rate of THC clearance from the body, perhaps by interfering with the metabolism of THC in the liver... Medically, it has been shown to relieve convulsion,inflammation, anxiety, and nausea, as well as inhibit cancer cell growth.[SUP]
[5][/SUP]
Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as atypical antipsychotics in treating schizophrenia.[SUP]
[6][/SUP]
Studies have also shown that it may relieve symptoms of dystonia... Cannabidiol is shown to decrease activity of the limbic system[SUP]
[10][/SUP]
and to decrease social isolation induced by THC.[SUP]
[11][/SUP]
It's also shown that Cannabidiol reduces anxiety in social anxiety disorder."
I think this is a very important chemical that many of the synthetic marijuanas sold at head shops lack. They're saying it helps contribute to controlling the paranoid thoughts and stay calmer, which is a generally an agreeable quality of weed.
At 185, Cannabidiol starts to boil (Basically means the same as the previous step, except it's getting released much faster.
200, THC boils. This is a little confusing because he says it's the same as the clear vapor from the vaporizer. But it might also means the point when parts of THC molecules break away, thus destroying it's properties, not sure about this one, maybe he just worded it wrong.
My opinion: Based on all of the above, I would say that vaped weed is still the best way to get the most out of it. If you heat it up on a tinfoil like the other person suggested at 265 C, it would work in theory if the air inside the heating device is standing still, but in a stove the air behaves something like blobs in the lava lamp, rising when heated and falling when cooled at the top of the stove. Since at 265 C all the active ingredients of weed are floating around as vapor, even slightest air movements will carry them away from remaining ashes (and probably condensing on your stove).
With all of that said, I think that the proposed method just mimics the same thing that a vaporizer does, but using a regular pipe. So to get the best out if it do this:
-- Create a small ball out of small piece of foil, put weed inside (the more broken up or grinded up the better)
-- Secure the ball and use a lighter to heat it up making sure that you evenly apply the flame to the entire ball (this is somewhat important, because if the temperature isn't equal on the ball's surface then thc will condense on the foil!) Try not to move the ball at all to keep the air inside as still as possible.
-- Allow the ball to cool for a few minutes ( still not touching it)
-- Now open it up, put the ashes in the bong and smoke away.
The reason this whole process works is because when all the vapors are released, with no air movement they are still floating very close to the ash that was formed. When we let it cool, the vapors re condense on the ash itself (since the ash becomes cold and the vapor is hot). Now all you have to do is heat it up in a bong and most of the vapors will be released into the air again.
Hope to try this very soon
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