Chest and lung congestion

[Gr8danger]

Hello I am new here and I had a quick question about congestion in the chest or lungs. I just started using cannabis about a month ago so I'm still learning and experimenting! But I had a question about chest and lung congestion when vaping. I have been using a cartridge vaporizer throughout my day to help with my anxiety and ibs and it has really been helping me out! I'm using a cartridge buy select vapor that is high in cbd and i feel like it is causing some congestion in my lungs. It feels like there is phlem in my lungs after I take a couple hits. And I'm just Curious why this would be. One other thing I'm not coughing at all, It just feels like phlem in my chest when I take a breath. I have never smoked weed or tabbaco vaping is the first forum of inhalation I have used so it's not like I'm coughing shit up. Anyways I'm just curious if any of you have experienced this lmk and tips on how to avoid this would be great!

 

[ronads]

I am not a doctor at all so my guess is as good as yours. My first advice would be if you are concerned, speak to a medical professional, it may be that the vapor has cause irritation to your lungs.

Inhaling anything, even weed, is going to affect your lungs more than plain old oxygen.

Try vaping at a lower temperature and see if this helps. You can also try vaping through a water pipe to cool the vapor, but this would be more beneficial to your throat.

 

[Godspeed]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I have only tried one cartridge vape pen so I have very limited knowledge, but it could be the solvent or liquid they are using to keep the mixture at the required viscosity that is causing your congestion.

You could try using another cartridge from a different manufacturer.

Hopefully the true vape pen experts will chime in soon and give you some insight.

 

[finallyfigureditout]

I would only vape dry herbs, keef, or trusted concentrates. I would never vape from a cartridge. Try a MFLB, Mighty, Arizer, Epic nano, or dynavap (MFLB use dry herb only.)

 

[dynospec]

I would only vape dry herbs, keef, or trusted concentrates. I would never vape from a cartridge. Try a MFLB, Mighty, Arizer, Epic nano, or dynavap (MFLB use dry herb only.)

The OP is asking about cartridges though, and has had medical benefit from the ones that they are using, so telling then that what they are doing is inferior and that they shouldnt do it is hardly constructive. There are plenty of cartridges that I am sure are very reliable and safe to use, and they are especially convenient for someone in the OPs position, being that they have no experience with cannabis and as such, very little knowledge on the subject.

I think that there are a range of possibilities happening here, and its going to require more information to get things painted in a clearer picture. Does the congestion last only a moment, and dissipate or does it linger? Some compounds found in cannabis act as expectorants and they could be loosening up some existing congestion perhaps?

Could you please provide more info on the specific cartridges you are using, and more info about how you use them? There is a chance that it is the other ingredients in the cartridge but I dont think thats whats happening here. The OP says they dont experience a cough or anything while using the cartridges, and most of what Ive read/experienced is that inferior mixes usually cause one to cough and have a bad taste.

I hope that you are able to get to the bottom of this all @Gr8danger Either way, Im happy to hear you are finding relief with CBD, it is a great drug.

 

[Gr8danger]

I am not a doctor at all so my guess is as good as yours. My first advice would be if you are concerned, speak to a medical professional, it may be that the vapor has cause irritation to your lungs.

Inhaling anything, even weed, is going to affect your lungs more than plain old oxygen.

Try vaping at a lower temperature and see if this helps. You can also try vaping through a water pipe to cool the vapor, but this would be more beneficial to your throat.

Thank you for the tips! I was using it at the lowest heat setting but maybe I will look into a water pipe

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I have only tried one cartridge vape pen so I have very limited knowledge, but it could be the solvent or liquid they are using to keep the mixture at the required viscosity that is causing your congestion.

You could try using another cartridge from a different manufacturer.

Hopefully the true vape pen experts will chime in soon and give you some insight.

Thank you! Ya maybe I will look into a different cartrage!

The OP is asking about cartridges though, and has had medical benefit from the ones that they are using, so telling then that what they are doing is inferior and that they shouldnt do it is hardly constructive. There are plenty of cartridges that I am sure are very reliable and safe to use, and they are especially convenient for someone in the OPs position, being that they have no experience with cannabis and as such, very little knowledge on the subject.

I think that there are a range of possibilities happening here, and its going to require more information to get things painted in a clearer picture. Does the congestion last only a moment, and dissipate or does it linger? Some compounds found in cannabis act as expectorants and they could be loosening up some existing congestion perhaps?

Could you please provide more info on the specific cartridges you are using, and more info about how you use them? There is a chance that it is the other ingredients in the cartridge but I dont think thats whats happening here. The OP says they dont experience a cough or anything while using the cartridges, and most of what Ive read/experienced is that inferior mixes usually cause one to cough and have a bad taste.

I hope that you are able to get to the bottom of this all @Gr8danger Either way, Im happy to hear you are finding relief with CBD, it is a great drug.

Sure! It is made by select it's called CBD shark and it's a 3:1 cbd to thc Ratio. It's 27.07%thc and 57.41%cbd ingredients say cannabis concentrate and cannabis terpenes. When I inhale it take about a 6 to 7 second draw into my mouth and then into my lungs! Hopefully this gives you some more info! Thanks! I also have some shortness of breath as well but that could be from my anxiety I also have sleep abnea and I feel like that also causes some shortness of breath and mild chest discomfort! Sorry I keep adding to this the congestion seems to linger for awhile.

Sure! It is made by select it's called CBD shark and it's a 3:1 cbd to thc Ratio. It's 27.07%thc and 57.41%cbd ingredients say cannabis concentrate and cannabis terpenes. When I inhale it take about a 6 to 7 second draw into my mouth and then into my lungs! Hopefully this gives you some more info! Thanks! I also have some shortness of breath as well but that could be from my anxiety I also have sleep abnea and I feel like that also causes some shortness of breath and mild chest discomfort!

 

[Squiby]

take about a 6 to 7 second draw into my mouth and then into my lungs!

I'm asthmatic and have very sensitive lungs. For 40 years I smoked weed but always suffered the consequences of lung irritation and congestion. When I switched to vaping, the effect was reduced but not eliminated. Then I found the Vapcap, learned to mouth-pull and started using filters to shield small particulates from entering my lungs. Now I experience no irritation. My vapor is super smooth.

Toking often is done by simultaneously drawing in vapor while inhaling it into your lungs. The classic joint toke. This can cause a lot of irritation and it's not necessary to get stoned.

Instead, try pulling the vapor into your mouth first, similar to puffing on a cigarette or drawing liquid into your mouth using a straw. Cover the carb of your Vapcap to restrict air flow, pull some vapor into your mouth but do not inhale, yet. Imagine that you are sucking up a thick milkshake through a straw. Once the vapor is in your mouth, near the end of the toke, uncover the carb momentarily, then open your mouth and inhale the cooled mouth vapor along with fresh air into your lungs. No need to hold in the vapor endlessly, it enters your system instantaneously, so you can exhale in a reasonably normal way.

This technique has been a total game changer for me and the pleasure of vaping weed is now JUST THAT; pure pleasure!

The third and final element has been filtration. Someone here on FC got me on to this. Sorry, I can't remember who. By adding a tiny disk of degummed hemp fiber to the bottom of my bowl, tiny particles that otherwise escape into the airflow are filtered. No particles in the condenser means no particles in your lungs either.

That's it. A simple technique that only adds to the blissful joy of vaping!

I hope you try this and that it heightens the experience for you as well.

Here is a link to making a degummed hemp fiber filter.

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/best-of-dynavap-vapcap.24345/#post-1115563

 

[Gr8danger]

I'm asthmatic and have very sensitive lungs. For 40 years I smoked weed but always suffered the consequences of lung irritation and congestion. When I switched to vaping, the effect was reduced but not eliminated. Then I found the Vapcap, learned to mouth-pull and started using filters to shield small particulates from entering my lungs. Now I experience no irritation. My vapor is super smooth.

Toking often is done by simultaneously drawing in vapor while inhaling it into your lungs. The classic joint toke. This can cause a lot of irritation and it's not necessary to get stoned.

Instead, try pulling the vapor into your mouth first, similar to puffing on a cigarette or drawing liquid into your mouth using a straw. Cover the carb of your Vapcap to restrict air flow, pull some vapor into your mouth but do not inhale, yet. Imagine that you are sucking up a thick milkshake through a straw. Once the vapor is in your mouth, near the end of the toke, uncover the carb momentarily, then open your mouth and inhale the cooled mouth vapor along with fresh air into your lungs. No need to hold in the vapor endlessly, it enters your system instantaneously, so you can exhale in a reasonably normal way.

This technique has been a total game changer for me and the pleasure of vaping weed is now JUST THAT; pure pleasure!

The third and final element has been filtration. Someone here on FC got me on to this. Sorry, I can't remember who. By adding a tiny disk of degummed hemp fiber to the bottom of my bowl, tiny particles that otherwise escape into the airflow are filtered. No particles in the condenser means no particles in your lungs either.

That's it. A simple technique that only adds to the blissful joy of vaping!

I hope you try this and that it heightens the experience for you as well.

Here is a link to making a degummed hemp fiber filter.

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/best-of-dynavap-vapcap.24345/#post-1115563

Thank you I will have to look into this at some point!

 

[dynospec]

Because of the fact the OP is using a cartridge which is just made up of concentrate and terpenes I dont think particulate matter is likely to be the cause of their irritation. That said, I think they should try the method described of mouth pulling, and if that doesnt work try more various methods of pulling.

I would say to try taking smaller hits, and breathe deeply in between, taking a moment or two or more between hits. While I do feel irritation when I vape, Ive never felt it was sticky or congested really; however very often after I take a hit off a vaporizer I do experience congestion being loosened which results in me coughing it up. I had asthma as a child but "grew out of it" and no longer am considered asthmatic however I have always had sensitive lungs and often coughed more than others when I was smoking pot with them.

It is possible that what youre experiencing is simply the feeling of the THC, CBD, terpenes, and whatever else is in the vapor being in your lungs, and you are simply not familiar with it. I have heard of people in the past saying they felt a "stickyness" in their airways/lungs after vaporizing, with concentrates especially.

Good luck with everything

 

[MinnBobber]

Hi,
I just this week got a cartridge vape while all my other experience is with vaping flowers.

Some of the cannabinoids are natural expectorants so the lungs are impacted by that.
The cartridge feels very different than whole flowers and feels very strong!!

Inhales of 6 -7 seconds seem like a lot with that super potent 80% ++ vapor.
I'd experiment with 3 second pulls--- take a 3 second pull and then wait a couple minutes
and repeat as necessary.

Water (a bubbler) helps the vapor quality of flowers a LOT so it is likely to help the vapor from
a cartridge too. Warm water gives the vapor a much more moist and much more ingestible quality.
Do you have a cheap bubbler you can try, to rig up a DIY adapter to fit the cartridge mouthpiece to
the bubbler inlet?

 

[Gr8danger]

Because of the fact the OP is using a cartridge which is just made up of concentrate and terpenes I dont think particulate matter is likely to be the cause of their irritation. That said, I think they should try the method described of mouth pulling, and if that doesnt work try more various methods of pulling.

I would say to try taking smaller hits, and breathe deeply in between, taking a moment or two or more between hits. While I do feel irritation when I vape, Ive never felt it was sticky or congested really; however very often after I take a hit off a vaporizer I do experience congestion being loosened which results in me coughing it up. I had asthma as a child but "grew out of it" and no longer am considered asthmatic however I have always had sensitive lungs and often coughed more than others when I was smoking pot with them.

It is possible that what youre experiencing is simply the feeling of the THC, CBD, terpenes, and whatever else is in the vapor being in your lungs, and you are simply not familiar with it. I have heard of people in the past saying they felt a "stickyness" in their airways/lungs after vaporizing, with concentrates especially.

Good luck with everything

Thank you for the help I will try this stuff out I'm hoping that it will help! Hopefully it's just that I'm not quite used to the thc and cbd in the vapor I will try this and If it works I will try to remember to let you know! Thank you so much!

 

[Gr8danger]

Hi,
I just this week got a cartridge vape while all my other experience is with vaping flowers.

Some of the cannabinoids are natural expectorants so the lungs are impacted by that.
The cartridge feels very different than whole flowers and feels very strong!!

Inhales of 6 -7 seconds seem like a lot with that super potent 80% ++ vapor.
I'd experiment with 3 second pulls--- take a 3 second pull and then wait a couple minutes
and repeat as necessary.

Water (a bubbler) helps the vapor quality of flowers a LOT so it is likely to help the vapor from
a cartridge too. Warm water gives the vapor a much more moist and much more ingestible quality.
Do you have a cheap bubbler you can try, to rig up a DIY adapter to fit the cartridge mouthpiece to
the bubbler inlet?

Thanks for the info I don't currently have a bubbler but I will look into it!

 

[MinnBobber]

Thanks for the info I don't currently have a bubbler but I will look into it!

............................................................
Please note that there are some very cheap but very functional bubblers---like $25 pieces.

 

[Gr8danger]

Because of the fact the OP is using a cartridge which is just made up of concentrate and terpenes I dont think particulate matter is likely to be the cause of their irritation. That said, I think they should try the method described of mouth pulling, and if that doesnt work try more various methods of pulling.

I would say to try taking smaller hits, and breathe deeply in between, taking a moment or two or more between hits. While I do feel irritation when I vape, Ive never felt it was sticky or congested really; however very often after I take a hit off a vaporizer I do experience congestion being loosened which results in me coughing it up. I had asthma as a child but "grew out of it" and no longer am considered asthmatic however I have always had sensitive lungs and often coughed more than others when I was smoking pot with them.

It is possible that what youre experiencing is simply the feeling of the THC, CBD, terpenes, and whatever else is in the vapor being in your lungs, and you are simply not familiar with it. I have heard of people in the past saying they felt a "stickyness" in their airways/lungs after vaporizing, with concentrates especially.

Good luck with everything

Thanks! For the tips I also feel like my chest tightens up after vaporizing for like quite awhile like over night Is that normal? It feel like all the Muscles in my chest and back are all Tensed up.

 

[dynospec]

No problem, the first thing that comes to mind when I read that is that its likely being caused by anxiety (the muscle tension) and so the more you think about it or focus on it, the worse it is likely to be perceived. A quick google search does yield a few results of other people experiencing muscle tension when they use cannabis, and in most of the cases I believe anxiety was thought to be a contributing factor.

The cartridge you have now should be pretty good for anxiety/muscle spasms/tension so its odd that you seem to be experiencing quite a bit after you use some, perhaps try lower doses or even a little higher of a dose even if lower doses dont seem to help.

I forgot to add yesterday that I agree that using water tools to cool/condition the vapor before it gets to your throat and lungs is a great way to reduce the irritation experienced when vaporizing.

 

[Gr8danger]

No problem, the first thing that comes to mind when I read that is that its likely being caused by anxiety (the muscle tension) and so the more you think about it or focus on it, the worse it is likely to be perceived. A quick google search does yield a few results of other people experiencing muscle tension when they use cannabis, and in most of the cases I believe anxiety was thought to be a contributing factor.

The cartridge you have now should be pretty good for anxiety/muscle spasms/tension so its odd that you seem to be experiencing quite a bit after you use some, perhaps try lower doses or even a little higher of a dose even if lower doses dont seem to help.

I forgot to add yesterday that I agree that using water tools to cool/condition the vapor before it gets to your throat and lungs is a great way to reduce the irritation experienced when vaporizing.

Ok ya that's what I was thinking I tend to get the same thing even when not vaporizing and ya I'm thinking about looking into a affordable bubbler!

 

[shredder]

Thanks! For the tips I also feel like my chest tightens up after vaporizing for like quite awhile like over night Is that normal? It feel like all the Muscles in my chest and back are all Tensed up.

I have asthma and get that same chest tightness whenever I've tried any ejuice products. Do you know for sure what's in your vape? For me it's not the concentrate itself but rather the products used besides mj concentrates.

Because of that I mostly vape through water and just herb or rosin. Hopefull you'll figure out a solution.

 

[DriedGoodness]

Hello I am new here and I had a quick question about congestion in the chest or lungs. I just started using cannabis about a month ago so I'm still learning and experimenting! But I had a question about chest and lung congestion when vaping. I have been using a cartridge vaporizer throughout my day to help with my anxiety and ibs and it has really been helping me out! I'm using a cartridge buy select vapor that is high in cbd and i feel like it is causing some congestion in my lungs. It feels like there is phlem in my lungs after I take a couple hits. And I'm just Curious why this would be. One other thing I'm not coughing at all, It just feels like phlem in my chest when I take a breath. I have never smoked weed or tabbaco vaping is the first forum of inhalation I have used so it's not like I'm coughing shit up. Anyways I'm just curious if any of you have experienced this lmk and tips on how to avoid this would be great!

Try stopping for a week, and see what happens.

After you want to continue using cannabis try vaping at lower temps, and taking smaller puffs.

 

[CarolKing]

Water filtration with a bubbler like others have said. I’ve never used a cartridge but I use concentrates in my vaporizers. I sometimes get chest congestion where I don’t when I’m vaporizing flowers. The waxes and shatters I do on a limited basis. I don’t use really high heat. I try to avoid coughing if possible. I usually have some ice water close by.

Cannabis does act like an expectorant. When I have a cold I just vaporize at a very low heat.

I used to smoke cannabis for many years and felt I had lung damage . Now I strictly vaporize and only get that chest congestion if I over do with too high of heat or if I use concentrates too often. We are all different. Some folks just strictly use concentrates and have no problems.

 

[4tokin]

What I have found with concentrates is, if they haven't been fully winterised they will contain plant waxes that will cause respiratory congestion.

 

[shredder]

Water filtration with a bubbler like others have said. I’ve never used a cartridge but I use concentrates in my vaporizers. I sometimes get chest congestion where I don’t when I’m vaporizing flowers. The waxes and shatters I do on a limited basis. I don’t use really high heat. I try to avoid coughing if possible. I usually have some ice water close by.

Cannabis does act like an expectorant. When I have a cold I just vaporize at a very low heat.

I used to smoke cannabis for many years and felt I had lung damage . Now I strictly vaporize and only get that chest congestion if I over do with too high of heat or if I use concentrates too often. We are all different. Some folks just strictly use concentrates and have no problems.

For me, vaping herb is more likely to bother me than low temp rosin dabs. Not sure but it might be because I use less in general. The metalic taste in a pen vape with metal coils used with rosin bothers me though. I avoid those pens now. And even though I love to vape when I'm coughing a lot or congested I just use medibles.

 

[Gr8danger]

I have asthma and get that same chest tightness whenever I've tried any ejuice products. Do you know for sure what's in your vape? For me it's not the concentrate itself but rather the products used besides mj concentrates.

Because of that I mostly vape through water and just herb or rosin. Hopefull you'll figure out a solution.

Well the package says that there is only cannabis concentrate and cannabis Terpenes so I'm assuming that's all there is maybe I will email the company to make sure! I also get really short of breath after vaping so that could be part of the chest tightness. I'm assuming the shortness of breath is from anxiety but I'm not sure.

 

[shredder]

Well the package says that there is only cannabis concentrate and cannabis Terpenes so I'm assuming that's all there is maybe I will email the company to make sure! I also get really short of breath after vaping so that could be part of the chest tightness. I'm assuming the shortness of breath is from anxiety but I'm not sure.

Well, if the terpenes were added and are known, then you can research them. Not all terpenes are good for us in larger than natural quanities. You may have a sensivity to a specific terpene.

Not sure if it was mentioned yet, but were the concentrates tested? I ask because bad stuff gets concentrated as well as cannabinoids. At the moment where I live commercial consentrates are not normally tested, (thats changing tho) and I've tried some that really bothered me.

 

[Gr8danger]

Well, if the terpenes were added and are known, then you can research them. Not all terpenes are good for us in larger than natural quanities. You may have a sensivity to a specific terpene.

Not sure if it was mentioned yet, but were the concentrates tested? I ask because bad stuff gets concentrated as well as cannabinoids. At the moment where I live commercial consentrates are not normally tested, (thats changing tho) and I've tried some that really bothered me.

I'm not sure if they have been tested I will be sure to ask when I contact them

 

[Pressisbest]

What I have found with concentrates is, if they haven't been fully winterised they will contain plant waxes that will cause respiratory congestion.

You are exactly right. Not properly winterizing the concentrate and/or the addition of chemicals like PG, VG and PEG will cause irritation and, in the OP's case, shortness of breath and congestion.

Vaping using a cartridge pen should not hurt. If it does, something is wrong with the product.