Weed Vape Pens: How Many Puffs To Get High
Weed Vape Pens: How many puffs to get high and how long will my high last?
Weed vape pens have become a popular method for consuming cannabis thanks to their convenience, portability, and discreetness. If you're new to cannabis or are considering trying vape pens, one of the first things you might wonder about is how long the high will last. In this guide, we'll explore what a weed vape pen is, the different types available, how to use them, how many puffs you need to get high, and how long that high typically lasts. Additionally, we'll provide some guidelines on dosing to help you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
What is a Weed Vape Pen?
A weed vape pen is a catchall phrase used to describe different types of devices with a common job of vaporizing cannabis materials, such as oil, dry herbs, or wax concentrates. Unlike smoking, which involves combustion, vaping heats the cannabis to a temperature where its active compounds (mainly THC and CBD) are released as vapor without burning the material. This method preserves more of the cannabinoids and terpenes, providing a potentially smoother and more flavorful experience. Vape pens are named for their compact, pen-like design, which makes them easy to carry and use discreetly.
Different Types of Weed Vape Pens
There are three main types of weed vape pens, each designed for a specific form of cannabis: oil, dry herb, and wax concentrates. Let's explore what makes each of these devices different.
Oil Vape Pens
Oil vape pens are the most common type of weed pen. They are typically small, easy to use, and come with a 510-thread battery and a pre-filled cartridge containing cannabis oil. These pens are great for beginners because they are straightforward: screw the cartridge onto the battery, turn on the device, and inhale.
Dry Herb Vaporizers
Dry herb vaporizers are designed for vaping ground cannabis flowers. These devices often come with a chamber where you place the dry herb and a heating element that heats the flower to a specific temperature to produce vapor. They offer a similar experience to smoking but without the harshness of combustion. Dry herb vapes usually require more maintenance, such as cleaning the chamber and changing screens, to ensure optimal performance.
Wax Vape Pens (Dab Pens)
Dab pens, or wax vape pens, are designed for vaping cannabis concentrates like shatter, wax, rosin, or crumble. These pens have a coil that heats up the concentrate, turning it into vapor. Dab pens are known for delivering strong, potent hits because concentrates are generally much higher in THC than flower or oil. They require more skill to use properly, including managing temperatures and loading the concentrates.
How to Use Each Type of Weed Vape Pen
Oil Vape Pens: To use an oil vape pen, attach the cartridge to the battery, turn on the device (usually by clicking a button five times), and inhale from the mouthpiece. Some devices allow you to adjust the voltage to customize the intensity of your hit. Some vape pens are inhalation-activated, while others require you to press and hold a button to vape. Oil carts come in different sizes, from 0.3 grams to 2.0 grams. The number of puffs you get from each cart depends on several factors. For more information, check out our blog on how many puffs you get from a cannabis oil vape cart.
Dry Herb Vaporizers: Grind your cannabis flower to a fine consistency and load it into the chamber of the vaporizer. Set the desired temperature (usually between 350-400°F or 175-200°C), wait for the device to heat up, and inhale. Start at a lower temperature to get a feel for the vapor's flavor and potency. Most dry herb vaporizers have a pre-timed heating session, so once activated, you can enjoy the vapor production for over a few minutes as the device gradually bakes your weed. Different devices have different chamber sizes and heating times, so the number of puffs from each session will vary from device to device.
Wax Vape Pens (Dab Pens): Load a small amount of wax concentrate, usually the size of a grain of rice, onto the coil or into the chamber. Turn on the device, and adjust the temperature as needed.
Dab pens require careful handling to avoid burning the concentrate, which can ruin the flavor and decrease potency. The number of hits you get from a single dab will vapry depending on temperture settings and the size of the dab. Its best to start with smaller size dabs and lower tempertures.
Do All Weed Vape Pens Create the Same High?
While all three types of vape pens deliver THC and other cannabinoids, the experience can vary greatly depending on the material being vaped:
- Oil Vape Pens: Produce a moderate high, depending on the THC concentration in the oil. The high typically comes on quickly, within 3-10 minutes, and lasts for 1-3 hours.
- Dry Herb Vaporizers: Offer a more well-rounded high, as the vapor includes a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes from the whole flower. Effects usually take 5-15 minutes to kick in and last about 1-3 hours, with a possible afterglow that can extend longer.
- Wax Vape Pens: Provide the most potent high due to the high concentration of THC in the concentrates. The effects can be felt almost immediately, peaking within 15 minutes, and generally last for 2-3 hours.
How Many Puffs to Get High?
The number of puffs needed to get high can depend on factors such as individual tolerance, the potency of the material, and the type of device used. Here's a general guide:
- Oil Vape Pens: A single puff from an oil vape pen typically delivers about 3mg of THC. Beginners might feel effects after 1-3 puffs, while more experienced users might require 5-10 puffs.
- Dry Herb Vaporizers: Each puff from a dry herb vaporizer generally delivers around 7.5 mg of THC. New users may feel effects after 1-2 puffs, whereas regular users might need 4-6 puffs.
- Wax Vape Pens: One dab (a small amount of concentrate) can deliver around 20 mg of THC or more, making them extremely potent. One or two hits are usually enough for a strong high, especially for beginners.
How Long Does a High from a Weed Vape Pen Last?
On average, the high from a weed vape pen lasts between 1 to 3 hours, though several factors can influence this duration:
- Potency of the Product: Higher THC content means a longer-lasting high.
- Dosage: Larger amounts or more frequent hits result in longer and more intense effects.
- Individual Tolerance: Regular users may experience a shorter high due to built-up tolerance.
- Metabolism: Faster metabolism can shorten the duration of the high.
Weed Pen Dosage Guide and THC per Puff
Oil Vape Pens:
- Assumptions: 1g cart of THC oil at a 60% concentration (600mg THC) will produce around 200 puffs.
- 1 Puff ≈ 3 mg THC.
- Start with 2-3 puffs and wait 15-30 minutes before taking more.
- Assumptions: A vaporizer chamber contains 0.3g of flower. The flower has a 20% THC concentration (60mg THC).
- 8 long deep inhales from a vaporizer session.
- 1 Puff ≈ 7.5 mg THC.
- Start with 1 or 2 puffs, especially if new, and wait to gauge the effects before taking more.
- Assumptions: A dab container has 0.5g of concentrate at 80% THC concentrations (400mg THC).
- A grain of rice sized dab is 25mg or 1/20th of the container.
- 1 Dab ≈ 20 mg THC.
- Beginners should start with a very small dab and wait at least 30 minutes before considering more.
Summary
The amount of THC in each puff or hit will be differenet from that absorbed by the body. the bioavailability of THC and CBD, (the amount absorbed) can be about 50 to 80% when vaping.
Oil Vape Pen |
Dry Herb Vape Pen |
Wax Vape Pen |
|
Duration of high | Starts after 3-10 minutes, and lasts for 1-3 hours | Starts after 5-15 minutes, and lasts for 1-3 hours, with a possible afterglow | Starts almosts instantly, peaking within 15 minutes, and last for 2-3 hours |
THC in a Puff/hit | 1 Puff ≈ 3 mg THC | 1 Puff ≈ 7.5 mg THC | 1 Hit/dab ≈ 20 mg THC |
Number of puffs to get high | Start with 2 - 3 puffs then wait 15-30 minutes before taking more. | Start with 1 or 2 puffs then wait 20 minutes before taking more | Start with 1 dab wait at least 30 minutes before considering more |
Conclusion
Weed vape pens offer a convenient and versatile way to enjoy cannabis, each providing a unique experience based on the type of pen and material used. Whether you’re using an oil vape pen, a dry herb vaporizer, or a wax vape pen, it's essential to start slow and gauge how your body reacts to the THC.
Remember that the duration and intensity of a high from vaping can vary significantly based on personal tolerance, the potency of the product, and individual metabolism. By starting with low doses and increasing gradually, you can ensure a controlled and enjoyable cannabis experience. If you're worried about consuming too much THC then read our guide about how to cope with greening out.