Dr. Caplan,
As I’ve explore the various cannabanoids and their different benefits, I keep seeing charts that tell me at what temperature they are activated. For example, CBD is at 356F and THCv is at 428F. If I set my vaporizer to 428F, I would certainly activate the THCv, but would that be too hot for the CBD? Or at 428F would you get a wider range, as all the lower-temperature ones would also be activated?
Thanks!
Dave
Dear Dave,
Your question touches on a fascinating aspect of cannabinoid vaporization: the activation temperatures of different cannabinoids.
When you vaporize cannabis, you’re essentially heating it to a point where the cannabinoids are released in vapor form without combusting the plant material. Different cannabinoids do indeed have different boiling or activation points, and the more you learn about the effects of cannabinoid and the temperature at which it boils, the more specific you can be about tailoring your cannabis to your goals/needs!
If you set your vaporizer to 428°F to activate THCV, you are not necessarily “overheating” or “burning off” the CBD or other cannabinoids that have lower activation temperatures. By setting the vaporizer to 428°F, you’re ensuring that the THCV is activated, but you’re also activating and releasing all the other cannabinoids that have lower activation temperatures, like CBD.
Think of it this way: if you’re boiling water to make tea, even if the boiling point of water is 212°F, if you heat your water to 220°F, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost the benefits of the water or that it’s too hot to make tea. It’s still boiling and will brew your tea just fine. Similarly, by setting your vaporizer to a higher temperature, you’re ensuring that all cannabinoids with boiling points up to that temperature are being vaporized.
However, keep in mind that higher temperatures might also release more potentially harmful by-products (or mutation products) and might provide a harsher vapor. It’s a balancing act between ensuring all desired cannabinoids are vaporized and personal comfort.
If you prefer flying solo, it’s reasonable to experiment and find out what works best for you, both in terms of effects and comfort. Generally speaking, you might want to start at a lower temperature and gradually increase it to see the differences in the effects and vapor quality. If you’d rather have a helping hand, I have put together resources that can help guide you for exactly these types of quests! Let me know and I can point you into the right direction!
Dr C
