i've been thinking about getting a vaporizer, but I havent looked into it really, how do they work? and how much better is it then a plain old rolled one?
A volcano works by heating the weed to an exact temperature that releases the thc, but not the carcinogens. The wonderful thing about marijuana is that THC vaporizes at around 290-340 degrees. Carcinogens (cancer causing agents) burn at no less than 390. Therefor, you can get all the THC without any of the bad stuff. When you vaporize properly, you are left with a pile of brown plant element. Useless material full of carcinogens that usually goes in your lungs from joints or bowls. Below is a review I wrote awhile back.
So I promised myself I would put up a review of my Volcano after a significant period of use. I wanted to make sure I got a thorough evaluation before recommending it to others. Well, my final report is in, and I love it. Most people are well aware of what a Volcano is, to anybody who doesn't know, its a very high priced vaporizer. I originally invested in a vaporizer for health reasons. A study from UCLA came out saying that volcano's will vaporize all of the THC smoke and only 2 of the known carcinogens in weed, as opposed to the around 19 from combustion smoking. This becomes obvious from the first couple weeks of use. My sinuses cleared up, I didnt hock up giant brown lugies when I woke up in the morning, the entire pitch of my voice changed (i've been smoking daily for 10 years.....wow, sounds crazy when i type it). I like to Vape right around temp setting 6.5, which gives me a nice clean smoke, strong enough for a solid buzz, but lacking in anything I dont want to breathe in. Smoking this way is healthier, there is less odor, you conserve weed, and still get extremely blazed.
OK, so you've heard all the good, now with the bad, what little there is.
The volcano is very expensive. Well worth in in my opinion, but still expensive.
One other thing is, vaporization lacks a certain...something. You'll feel it the first time you hit one. You'll feel the weed, the high, but you dont feel that rush to the dome as a giant cloud of smoke fills your lungs. The reason for this being, as I later discovered, is when your body takes in some of the toxins usually associated with smoking weed, your immune system kicks in to place and gives you a slight euphoric feeling. The same thing happens when you get drunk, or even get shot (not that getting shot feels good, but your body tries to compensate as best it can). For many people, this immune system "high" is a large part of the reason they smoke and why they will always prefer joints or bong rips to vaping. I myself feel the need to rip a bowl or joint everyone once in awhile, I just dont do it every day like I used to.
My recommendation, use the vape for daily smoking and your other preferred method for special occasions. That's it. Happy Smoking.