Vaping emerged in modern society in the early 2000s and gradually morphed into the cultural phenomenon we know today. However, the practice of vaporizing herbs for their essential oils began thousands of years ago. The first historical reference to vaping was in 5000BC Egypt, whereby the locals placed special herbs on super-hot rocks and congregated to inhale the vapor.
The super-hot rocks evolved into the tech-savvy conduction and convection heating chambers in high-quality vape kits, like the boulder rock vape system. However, besides vaping history and vape products’ anatomy, there are many exciting facts about vaping you should know. Click here to know more about the best vape pen.
1. Vaping Is Safer Than Smoking
Cigarette smoking was as prevalent in the USA at the beginning of the 20th century as vaping is today, if not more. However, during the 1940s, scientists noticed a correlation between smoking and rising cancer cases.
Smoking and vaping are two different herbal consumption methods (tobacco, cannabis). However, the difference is in how each method releases active compounds in herbs. For instance, smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes involves burning tobacco leaves to release the active compound, nicotine, which the body absorbs. However, burning tobacco also releases tobacco tar, which contains hundreds of harmful chemicals that may cause lung, throat, and mouth cancer.
In contrast, vaping entails heating free-base nicotine and nic salts to convert them to inhalable vapor without any combustion; hence, no harmful toxins release occurs during vaping.
One research study conducted in the UK concluded that vaping is 95% safer than smoking. Furthermore, another study suggested that cigarette smokers who switch to vaping have a comparatively longer lifespan. However, note that vaping’s long-term effects on vapers’ health remain largely unknown.
2. Vaping Is Not Limited To E-cigarette Consumption
Non-vapers often erroneously refer to e-cigarettes as vapes, an oversight that gets on vaping enthusiasts’ nerves. While e-cigarettes and vapes make appear similar to the untrained eye, they are pretty different.
Here’s a rundown of some of the key differences:
- Vapes are significantly more extensive and more advanced, while e-cigarettes are designed to mimic traditional cigarettes and come in marker pen and flash drive-like shapes.
- E-cigarettes are exclusively for nicotine delivery, but vapes vaporize dry herbs like cannabis buds and other cannabis forms like vape juice, concentrates, and oils.
- Vapes support numerous flavors, from classic sour diesel to fruity notes and confectionery flavors, while e-cigs offer limited flavor options.
- Most vapes are refillable, while e-cigarettes are disposable.
- Vapes feature higher battery capacity and adjustable controls for a customizable experience.
3. Vaping Tournaments Are A Thing
Vaping is a cultural phenomenon that has led to vape-centric events where vape enthusiasts celebrate the culture. There are many vape conventions and tournaments held all over North America today. However, the most popular event to date that featured outstanding attendance was the vape Olympics in Canada.
Also referred to as the Canadian Cloud Circuit (CCC), the vape Olympics began in 2015. The tournament features competitive cloud chasers billowing out clouds of smoke as the judges measure the cloud’s travel distance to establish a winner. Competitors also performed various vaping tricks, from simple tricks like the ghost inhale and expert-level tricks like the waterfall.
Competitive vapers take such tournaments seriously, and why wouldn’t they when there is up to $10,000 up for grabs as was in 2016’s Canadian Cloud Circuit. Besides the CCC, vaping Olympics also took place in various cities across the USA, including Atlanta and Chicago.
4. Vaping Is Cheaper Than Smoking
Smoking not only costs smokers their health, but it is also a pretty expensive habit. A recent survey conducted among smokers who smoke an entire cigarette pack daily spends $6.28 on cigarettes each day. The daily expenditure translates to $188 per month and $2292 annually; note that the figure may be slightly higher depending on cigarette costs in your area.
On the flip side, a high-quality vape device can last several years, while the only recurrent expenditure with vaping is vape coils and vape juice or its equivalent. The recurrent vaping expenditure costs between $30-$60, depending on your vaping preferences. Therefore, switching to vaping from smoking will save both your life and your money.
5. Vaping Transcends Recreational Activities
Although vaping is synonymous with recreational substance use like nicotine and marijuana, it is also an effective delivery method for ancillary medical therapies. When you vape, the active compound vaped moves directly into the lungs then instantly into the bloodstream. Therefore, more of the active compound gets to the target organ or body part than through ingestion, whereby the compound undergoes digestion before absorption.
A delivery method’s ability to avail an active compound to the site of action is called its bioavailability. Vaping’s bioavailability ranges from 50%-60%, significantly higher than ingestion. Due to vaping’s high bioavailability, people vape on medicinal compounds like CBD and melatonin to help with pain management, insomnia, and mental health conditions.
Conclusion
Vaping is a sensation that keeps growing and attracting a legion of vaping enthusiasts. However, despite its popularity, there are still some misconceptions about vaping in the public domain. The five little-known vaping above are a few interesting facts about vaping worth exploring to understand the cultural phenomenon better.
