Big VS Small Hits—What's Better?

Whether you are a veteran cannabis enthusiast or a novice smoker, you may have encountered that one debate topic that is still hotly contested: Is it better to take big hits? Or are small puffs just fine to get the job done?

Opinions on the matter are split right down the middle. Some stand by the idea that monster hits will get you baked as a cake in a snap. Others feel it is a waste of good herb, and that smaller tokes actually make the most sense.

You may have a side of your own, but in this article, we will look at the several factors that may very well draw a line between the two and ultimately provide some form of an answer to this long-standing discussion.

UNDERSTANDING LUNG CAPACITY

First and foremost, we must understand how cannabis smoke directly affects the lungs in terms of lung capacity. A set of healthy human lungs can take in up to six litres of air in one large breath. However, it is not able to efficiently absorb all the oxygen, which is why we need to exhale and inhale continuously in order to breathe properly.

In the same way that holding your breath won’t force more oxygen to be absorbed, taking a huge puff of THC-rich smoke doesn’t mean that more is going to be absorbed by the body. Plus, the rate at which THC is absorbed into the bloodstream is near-instantaneous, so holding in a huge hit for an extended period will not deliver more of the cannabinoid to the brain. After only a few milliseconds, around 95% of THC is said to have already made it into your system.

HOLDING THE SMOKE IN IS NOT EXACTLY HEALTHY

So, you know that bigger doesn’t mean better when it comes to hits, but it’s important to remember not to hold the smoke in your lungs. The cannabinoid absorption process is far too quick for you to sustain undue damage to your lungs for the sake of a better high.

Sure, cannabis smoke contains all the good stuff like THC, CBD, and terpenes, but on the flipside, you are still inhaling smoke into your lungs. While it does not contain the same carcinogenic chemicals as cigarettes, it does contain nasty byproducts and can still be detrimental to your respiratory system.

 THE WRONG IDEA ABOUT “MONSTER HITS”

At this point, you may be thinking “I swear those monster bong rips get me super faded”. Indeed, you may be right. Toking huge hits and holding them in until you feel like you’re gonna pass out will definitely have a temporary effect on your brain and cognition. But this boosted “high” has nothing to do with THC, and is actually due to you depriving your brain of oxygen. This of course results in a feeling of lightheadedness that, when combined with cannabis, can make for a totally zoned-out experience. However, this is not ideal for your body and will do more harm than good in the long-run.

SO, ARE SMALLER HITS THE BETTER WAY TO GET HIGH?

In the opposite camp are those who argue that small hits are the way to go. As a matter of fact, microdosing small amounts of cannabis does have a range of sub-perceptual benefits that are said to enhance productivity and creativity. While microdosing won’t get you high per se, it is arguably more suited to those with significant familial or job-related responsibilities.

However, for those looking to still get high—without damaging their lungs more than necessary in the process—the answer to the “big or small” debate may lie somewhere in the middle. It’s true, there’s not much more satisfying than taking a sustained draw from a joint or bong, but there’s no need to go overboard. So take that medium-sized hit with pride, and when the cloud of smoke enters your lungs, remember to swiftly breathe it out as the THC has done its job.

UP THE ANTE WITH DABS AND EDIBLES

On the other hand, if you’re still not satisfied with the height of your high, the next step may be to move on to more potent forms of cannabis. For fire-breathers, dabbing has become the go-to method for getting blasted in no time. Moreover, dabbing creates an inhalable vapour that is notably better on the lungs. High-quality concentrates with THC levels into the 90% range will get you where you need to go, without having to hold in a breath full of smoke.

If you’re looking to avoid inhalation altogether, edibles are the discreet and tasty way to go. Edibles can be adapted to nearly any recipe to deliver a powerful and long-lasting high. Just make sure to wait until the high kicks in to eat more.

IN CONCLUSION

Even if you’re not concerned about how big hits could impact your health, know that taking smaller hits eventually leads to less weed use, and less money spent as a result. It’s true that you can smoke casually without doing any crazy tricks to increase your high.

Hopefully, this article was able to enlighten you a bit in terms of this myth of cannabis consumption. Happy toking!