It's pretty clear that many of us have our vapes set higher than required to get what we want. Further, I believe that the presence of non-cannabinoid by-products affects the buzz. These by-products are released at temps higher than THC volatilization and may not be good for us.
...Vaporized cannabis emits a thin gray vapor...
I believe that years of traditional combustion has us trained that a big smoke = big buzz. I'm now thinking that big smoke means we're vaping at some temp in excess of what is necessary to release THC and related Cannabinols.
See here:
http://www.montananorml.org/docs/McPartland-Russo-JCANT-2001.pdf
QUOTE:
"Vaporizer technology may improve the bioavailability of limonene and
other compounds, which volatilize around the same temperature as THC (see
Figures 1-3). Vaporizers are smoking apparati that heat cannabis to 185C
(365F), which vaporizes THC but is below the ignition point of combustible
plant material. Vaporized cannabis emits a thin gray vapor, whereas combusted
cannabis produces a thick smoke. Thus, vaporizers deliver a better cannabinoid-
to-tar ratio than cigarettes or water pipes (Gieringer 1996). In a recent
study, traces of THC were vaporized at temperatures as low as 140C (284F)
and the majority of THC vaporized by 185C (365F); benzene and other carcinogenic
vapors did not appear until 200C (392F), and cannabis combustion
occurred around 230C (446F) (Gieringer 2001)."
I've read countless threads where people appeared dis-satisfied with a thin vapor. Then others come in with their adjustable thermostats and say how they have their temps jacked way up to get the desired thick vapor. It seems clear that all they are doing is releasing the Cannabinoids, and then also releasing other compounds hat are clearly not healthy.
For example THC is volatilized at 185C. At 200C Benzene is also volatilized.
