Guide to Vapes and Cartridges

If there’s one consumer market that has grown beyond expectations in the past few years, it is that surrounding vaping.

09:21 28 September 2021

When tobacco was outlawed in many countries as the realities of its danger to health become clear, vaping was offered as a viable alternative. An influx of first-wave brands offering e-cigarettes and liquids of various flavour set the tone for what was to come.

 

Now, we have a choice that is pretty much endless, involves some quite sophisticated devices and accessories, and is attracting more smokers who understand this is the safer option. It is safer because much of the danger of smoking comes from the very act of busing rather than the tobacco itself. Burning anything produces dangerous by-products – tar and also some carcinogens – but we don’t usually inhale them directly.

 

Vaping involves no burning – the substance whether it’s CBD, cannabis or other is simply vaporized – and is therefore free of the danger of smoking a cigarette or a joint. So to the jargon – what are vapes, cartridges and so on? Here’s our description of a very basic vape pen.

 

The Basics of a Vape Pen

 

A vape pen is so called because many of the early versions were pen shaped. Some still are but not all, yet the name has stuck. A vape pen – or dab pen which we will explain in a moment – is a simple device in which all the relevant components are housed in an outer casing that is fitted with a mouthpiece and includes the controls. Inside is a vape cart battery – it’s simply a miniature rechargeable battery – plus a cartridge or cart and a coil or atomizer.

 

The cartridge is where the substance you are vaping goes. Now, many people like to vape cannabis or CBD in concentrate form. It is the easiest way. This is known as a ‘dab’. Put the dab in the cartridge, press the button to start the process, and the battery heats up the coil to a temperature at which the dab vaporizers. You then take a draw, and you have your vape hit.

 

That is the very basic form of vape pen, but things have become somewhat more sophisticated as the market grows in size. Let’s have a look at something slightly more versatile.

 

Why You Need a 510-thread Battery

 

Whether you are vaping CBD or cannabis it is recommended you buy a vape device with a 510-thread battery. What’s this all about? It’s a standard type of battery attachment that means you can switch batteries on most devices. As all the major manufacturers use this type of battery you can effectively customise your vape device by perhaps adding a battery with variable voltage.

 

These usually come with three or four voltage settings across small increments. The advantage is that different temperatures will provide different results. Some people like a smoother hit, others one more raw as in a joint, and the variable voltage means you can choose your own point of vaporization.

 

Vaping and Your Health

 

There are links between taking CBD and health benefits although CBD is not yet licensed as a medicinal product. The same is true of cannabis which can be prescribed in certain circumstances. CBD can help with anxiety and depression – the effect is soothing yet without the high – and also helps persons who suffer from chronic pain due to a wide range of ailments. Cannabis is also used for similar and has been shown to help with some skin conditions.

 

By choosing a vape pen with the 510-battery you are giving yourself the option to upgrade, so talk to a retailer now and see what they recommend.