How to Inhale Cannabis Without Throat Irritation

Throat irritation from cannabis comes from four sources: heat, smoke particles, dry air, and flower terpenes. Fix the first three and most of the burn goes away.

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Lower the temperature

Smoke from a joint or pipe carries tar and fine particles. The ember at the tip of a joint reaches 1,100 °F or higher during a pull. Vapor from a dry herb device at 315 to 430 °F carries fewer of those byproducts.

How to Hold Cannabis Smoke in Lungs: 2 to 3 Seconds

• Dry herb vaporizer: start at 340 °F, step up 10 to 15 degrees per session.
• Dab rig: keep the nail between 400 and 550 °F. A glowing red nail degrades terpenes and adds irritants.
• Joint or pipe: use the smallest piece that works. Short pulls, not long ones.

Change how you draw

1. Pull for 2 to 4 seconds. Long draws reheat the material and pull more tar.
2. Do not seal your lips on the mouthpiece. Leave a small gap so air mixes with the vapor.
3. Hold 2 to 3 seconds. THC absorbs in the first few seconds. Longer holds add irritation with little gain.
4. Exhale through the nose or mouth without force.

Filter the vapor

A water pipe removes some water-soluble irritants. Use warm water, 100 to 120 °F. Cold water and ice make the vapor dense and trigger cough in some people. Change the water each session. A percolator with fewer chambers has less drag. Heavy drag forces you to pull harder.

how to inhale cannabis joint correctly

Prep the flower

Dry flower burns hot. Store flower with a 58 to 62 percent humidity pack. Grind to a medium consistency. Fine powder packs tight and channels hot air.

Reduce dryness

Drink water before and after. Dry mouth and dry throat make the same vapor feel harsher. A room humidifier helps in winter.

When irritation is not normal

Persistent cough, wheezing, hoarseness, or chest pain after sessions needs a doctor. Asthma, GERD, and allergies make airways react to smoke at lower doses. People with those conditions may do better with edibles or tinctures, which bypass the airway.

The exact temperature at which a given device stops producing irritants is not published for every model. Start low and adjust.