Preserving Terpenes and Cannabinoids: Why Combustion Isn't Ideal for Plant Medicine

Let's talk about terpenes and cannabinoids – the powerhouse compounds in plant medicine. When you smoke plant medicine, you're subjecting it to combustion, which means you're burning it at super high temperatures, over 537°C. This process burns away a lot of those beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids and creates harmful stuff like tar.

Vaporizing is a better option as it heats the plant material at lower temperatures, around 150°C to 232°C, which keeps those good compounds intact. Plus, you get more control over the temperature, so you can tailor your experience to what you need.

Another perk of vaporizing is that it's easier on your lungs. Smoking can irritate your respiratory system, but vaporizing is gentler and can reduce the risk of coughing and other discomforts. So not only do you get more of the good stuff with vaporizing, but you also treat your body better in the process.

Bottom line: If you want to get the most out of your plant medicine without the risks of smoking, go for vaporizing. It's safer, keeps those beneficial compounds doing their job, and is kinder to your lungs.