the end is nigh or high?

I've been vaping with multiple units and on this board for five years or so, so I'm not a noob--though I've got a noob question. I'm wondering how to tell when the materials are done, abv. Now obviously the proof is in the pudding--am I feeling the effects? And I can certainly tell when the taste turns sour, the materials turn that familiar brown, etc.

But, since the effects can take a few minutes to kick in, my question is: can abv still produce a visible cloud?

I won't get into my specific routines but sometimes it's not convenient for me (around wife and family) to head back to the cellar, reload, and start again. At the same time I don't want to waste materials. So, if I see a cloud, does that mean I should buckle up for the imminent effects? Or is it possible that a cloud can be produced from spent materials?

headdoctor said:

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I'm wondering how to tell when the materials are done, abv. Now obviously the proof is in the pudding--am I feeling the effects? And I can certainly tell when the taste turns sour, the materials turn that familiar brown, etc.

But, since the effects can take a few minutes to kick in, my question is: can abv still produce a visible cloud?

I won't get into my specific routines but sometimes it's not convenient for me (around wife and family) to head back to the cellar, reload, and start again. At the same time I don't want to waste materials. So, if I see a cloud, does that mean I should buckle up for the imminent effects? Or is it possible that a cloud can be produced from spent materials?

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If you see a cloud, you should be getting effects BUT you can/I can vape with do apparent cloud and still get effects. With my Herbie, I start low and keep upping the temps. I might stop at 430 F one day and finish at 445 F the next day---- there might be no clouds but still effects.
Best to test yourself---vape until vapor seems to stop and come back the next day. Effects or not at a new session?

Thanks--that makes sense. I know that this is too much information, but I tend to indulge before bed, and so after I take the hit(s) I turn off the 'Cano and head upstairs. If the effects aren't happening five minutes later, then I need to relaunch, which includes starting up the machine, etc. Kind of bummer when I'm in my jammies and under the puff. (Okay, I'm exaggerating that last part up a bit--but you get the point.) So I'd love to know that if I see a small cloud, I can feel confident that my head will be in the clouds when it hits the pillow. !!!

headdoctor said:

Thanks--that makes sense. I know that this is too much information, but I tend to indulge before bed, and so after I take the hit(s) I turn off the 'Cano and head upstairs. If the effects aren't happening five minutes later, then I need to relaunch, which includes starting up the machine, etc. Kind of bummer when I'm in my jammies and under the puff. (Okay, I'm exaggerating that last part up a bit--but you get the point.) So I'd love to know that if I see a small cloud, I can feel confident that my head will be in the clouds when it hits the pillow. !!!

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Very subjective my new friend...

However, I can give you my experience.(Somewhat Rudimentary as I've only been Vaping since the date in my Sig, about 4 months)

I get really really dense vapor from the DBV, even if I'm not trying.

Thinner vapor is more efficient IMO, and much more flavorful... First 2 draws on low temperatures.
These hits are my primer hits... And I've taken a slight break after the 2 initial draws, the high is quite different.

IME.. Draws number 3,4 and 5 produce the thickest vapor (I turn up my temp after my 3rd draw)

The huge draw at #4 & 5 always nearly knocks me unconscious with my whip in one hand and the wand in the other.

Plus... I don't even fill my lungs to capacity, as to take in some fresh air after the hit... Combined with a moderate holding of the hit, then exhale a bit of vapor and suck in more air.

A majority of the time.. I initially believe I am still ready for more hits after the brain blasting 5th draw.. But, just about every single night...

i fall asleep and end up slouching, and can barely get up due to my arthritic spine.

I've told my wife, "if I'm not in bed in about 20 minutes, I'm most likely in a Vapor Coma.. Wake me up please!"

Problem being, she falls asleep obviously.. And last night was the worst (yet still the best ironically) I remember starting my session at 10:12 pm, and the next thing I knew..

My Wife..
"Damn it Hashtag, you passed out again "

Looked at my phone in a foggy daze, it was 1:25 am!

I'm going to have to set a timer or alarm of some sort. - The simplest fix would be to reduce the amount of bubble I add

Lol.. Seems I've ventured off topic.

Soooo, that whole story does lead to my opinion/ experience...

I've passed out many of times this way... And when I wake, I always go for another rip or two, which I do exhale visible vapor, but it is rather thin, but super smooth.

But 99% of the time, my head hits pillow and I'm asleep.

headdoctor said:

I've been vaping with multiple units and on this board for five years or so, so I'm not a noob--though I've got a noob question. I'm wondering how to tell when the materials are done, abv. Now obviously the proof is in the pudding--am I feeling the effects? And I can certainly tell when the taste turns sour, the materials turn that familiar brown, etc.

But, since the effects can take a few minutes to kick in, my question is: can abv still produce a visible cloud?

I won't get into my specific routines but sometimes it's not convenient for me (around wife and family) to head back to the cellar, reload, and start again. At the same time I don't want to waste materials. So, if I see a cloud, does that mean I should buckle up for the imminent effects? Or is it possible that a cloud can be produced from spent materials?

Click to expand...

I think it's subjective in that you decide when you want to cash the load in, man. I know people who will do a full session on as high a temp as possible AFTER there are no clouds/no fog in the stem/bowl/whatever because they FEEL like they may get some effect from it. On the other hand, I know a gal who cashes a bowl after only three hits (from her Solo through glass) and will never go more than two bags deep with her Cano because she swears that's how she gets the most effect.

I, personally, am of the opinion that if there's visible vapor, you'll get some effect. Of course, that depends on how high you went originally with the load and how high you're going currently. If you do a bowl at 180c and then re-vape later at 210c, I'm certain you'll get at least a wisp of vapor and at least a fleeting effect - there are still actives and the actives will still evaporate into vapor, or at the very least there is still moisture.

So, yeah, if you see a cloud you should probably feel something but it definitely won't be as significant as a fresh bowl being vaped - in my experience the Cano is also pretty heavily geared toward thorough extraction over cloudiness so you might not even see a cloud and get effects with some ABV.

great replies, guys. muchas gracias.

I recently had a discussion with another vapist who only hits a Solo stem about 4 to 6 times. This same vapist gave up on the MFLB awhile back because the clouds weren't big and visual enough. In essence - no visible clouds to him meant no potential buzz.

I broke out the flashlight and went right for the MFLB. We hit the MFLB till he was sure there were no more goodies left in the trench and then I turned down the light in the room and turned on the flashlight. He took the next hit and exhaled over the flashlight beam....he was amazed at how much vapor was showing in the flashlight beam because it was absolutely invisible otherwise. He agreed that if the MFLB was still producing 'unseen' vapor the Solo was definitely doing so after his 4-6 hits..

I keep track of the usable hits per fill to gauge the goodies left per session and it has made it easier to 'believe' what's left without the visual feedback of the cloud. For example - I get around 12 to 16 hits per Solo stem, depending on how I pack it, but have to continually increase the temp as the number of hits increases. I need 4 hits per session. If I previously hit the stem 8-10 times I'll crank it to level 6 or 7 and finish it off if I don't want to take any chances on not getting a buzz otherwise I'll just hit 4 more times at mid-level and wait for affect.

Try the flashlight trick and keeping track for awhile. It definitely helped me get more comfortable with what I'm not seeing.

Of course there is still a lot of enjoyment in the clouds and there are many who know there is still something left in the bowl but enjoy the clouds so much that they wouldn't bother trying to get that last buzz out of a bowl if it meant having no clouds and hitting it more than the usual number of times.

headdoctor said:

my question is: can abv still produce a visible cloud?

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from my experience, yes abv can continue to produce a visible cloud, but that cloud has no desirable active ingredients. i think the plant matter and plant waxes can also produce a visible cloud, long after the THC is fully extracted.

during a session, i can see a visible change in the density of the cloud when i look down through the draw tube (back lit by the red heater LED) as well as notice the lack of buttery consistency that was present in the earlier vapor.

i've started to notice this more, recently, by putting a lot less herb in the vial ... so a session only last 8 hits instead of 12 to 15 ... seems to make it more obvious, somehow.