Exploring the Myths of Vaping and Smoking: Water in the Lungs

It's a common concern among both new and experienced users of vaporizers and bongs: Can smoking weed from a bong or vaping, cause water to enter the lungs?

No, But Water Can Get in Your Mouth Occasionally

Short answer: No. Not if you are smoking it right. However, there is an important detail. Sometimes a little bit of water can splash up the tube and into your mouth. This is not an uncommon experience, especially for novice users, but rest assured, it doesn't usually reach your lungs.

The nuances of this issue vary slightly between vaporizers and bongs. The more liquid in a bong, the higher the likelihood of water splashing into the mouth. In my experience, water rarely reaches the lungs. It does happen to almost everyone at some point, but it's not a pleasant experience. And if you're a bong user, opting for a larger bong can help reduce this issue. Most bongs only require just enough water to submerge the diffuser/down stem when tilted to the smoking position. The key is finding a bong size and water level that suits your personal preference.

Water and Vaping: A Different Discussion

While the bong experience is smoother, it's worth inquiring about a similar concern related to vaping. 'Am I drowning myself when I vape?' This fear is a common myth. In fact, water itself doesn't enter the lungs when vaping.

Understanding the Ingredients in Vape E-liquid

The ingredients in vape e-liquid, including vegetable glycerine (VG), propylene glycol (PG), nicotine, and flavorings, are water-soluble. They do not inherently cause the lungs to fill with water. Instead, the primary concern with vaping is the health risks associated with inhaling harmful substances which can be found in some e-liquids.

The Problem with Cheap, Illicit E-liquids

It’s true that there have been cases of lung damage from vaping. However, these cases were mostly caused by vaping black market products. In the US, the vaping-related pulmonary injuries (VRPI) were linked to the use of black market cannabis concentrates with vitamin E acetate added to thicken cheaper THC liquids. Inhaling these oils or fatty lipids can cause lipoid pneumonia, a serious condition that can be fatal.

The Safety of Vaping vs Smoking

While vaping is not risk-free, it is generally much safer than smoking. The key takeaway is to avoid black market products and to stick to e-liquids that are reputable and properly regulated. Vaping nicotine-containing e-liquids has not led to widespread lung issues outside of the US, where FDA oversight is lacking and the black market continues to thrive.

Conclusion: Balancing Risks and Safety

Both bong smoking and vaping involve potential risks, but these risks can be mitigated by understanding the science behind them. For bong smoking, proper water management is crucial, while for vaping, choosing safe and regulated products is key. Always stay informed and make sure to follow the best practices recommended by experts in the field. Happy smoking and vaping!