So, it is interesting to me how we are all effected by the psychology of big hits in cannabis consumption. Back in my combustion days I was always impressed with myself with how big a hit I could take, how long I could hold it, and how much smoke was still left when I exhaled. These were indicators, I thought, of how proficient a stoner I was. A boost to my "cool quotient" was always a welcome bonus.
In the last 20 or 25 years, as my cool quotient became less important, I came to understand that it really isn't a contest, and all those big clouds I was exhaling were doing nothing for my buzz. But I also realized that it really didn't matter because there was so much junk in the smoke that didn't contribute to the buzz that exhaling bunches of it really wasn't that wasteful and might even be better for my lungs.
Then, when I started vaping, the calculus changed. With vaping I wasn't getting all that junk, or at least very much less of it, and almost everything I was inhaling WAS contributing to my buzz. So, anything I was exhaling WAS being wasted, and being the frugal (cheap) guy that I have become that no longer made sense. Especially for those pulling on a cart that may be 70% to 95% THC, taking really big hits and blowing out a bunch of exhaust, which is really THC, is not a very economical plan of action. Yes, there are some tricks to help you get more of what you inhale (like staggered re-breathing) but anything that actually is exhaled is wasted.
These days I take a higher number of smaller hits, and not only does it seem to get me higher with less consumption, but it also seems to be easier on my lungs. They are, after all, the only ones I'm likely to get and I would like to preserve them however I can. There are way too many folks in my world trailing oxygen and that is not a club I care to join. I am good with being a little less cool...
Just some Sunday thought I thought I would share...