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Finding the best temperature for vaping cannabis and CBD oil is essential if you want to get the most out of your experience. In fact, the temperature matters a lot when it comes to the taste, effects, and intensity of your high. One of the perks of vaping is the ability to adjust vape pen temperature settings for a customizable high. 

But how exactly does temperature affect the vaping experience, and why? Here’s everything you need to know about how temperature affects CBD and cannabis when vaping.

Why vaping temperature is important

One of the main benefits of vaping is the ability to change the temperature. When smoking using a bong, bowl, or joint, the temperature must get hot enough for combustion (the process of burning something) to occur, which can be upwards of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. If the cannabis is burned at such high temperatures, it may lose its flavor as well as strain-specific benefits. 

Alternatively, vaping allows you to inhale cannabis at much lower temperatures, which will preserve the flavors and benefits. Lower temperatures also allow different terpenes (organic compounds in plants with a strong odor) to be expressed, giving you a more customizable high. 

What's the best temperature for vaping weed?

The best temperature for vaping weed isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each temperature range expresses different terpenes and cannabinoids (chemical compounds in cannabis) that affect the taste and experience of the high. It’s important to understand what kind of high is produced by each temperature, and then decide if that’s the type of high you’re looking to have. 

Here’s an overview of the temperature ranges for vaping cannabis, so you have a better idea of what each one offers. 

Low temperature vaping (325-350°F)

If you’re new to vaping cannabis and want a mild high with fewer side effects, a lower temperature is a good place to start. THC, the primary psychoactive component in cannabis, has a boiling point of 315°F. At this temperature, you can feel the mild effects of the THC while experiencing the fresh citrus taste of your cannabis. 

Typical side effects of cannabis such as red eyes, paranoia, and a dry mouth will be less prominent. And, since the vapor is cooler, it’s less likely to cause coughing and an irritated throat. 

Pros

• A mild high that’s great for beginners or lightweights
• More flavor
• Less negative side effects
• Calming and invigorating
• Less coughing 

Cons

• This high may not be strong enough for seasoned vapers
• Less euphoria
• Activates fewer cannabinoids

Medium temperature vaping (350-400°F)

If you’re a seasoned smoker, but still are not sure about the best vaping temperature, this may be a better place to start experimenting. A medium temperature will still offer plenty of terpenes but with many more activated cannabinoids than lower temps. The vapor will be warm and smooth, which is more similar to a traditional smoking experience. 

More THC is being activated at this temperature, so the psychoactive effects are typically stronger. Expect to experience a more relaxed and meditative state while still tasting the variety of flavors from the terpenes. 

Pros

• The effects of THC are stronger and more meditative
• There’s a strong mix of both cannabinoids and terpenes
• Warm vapor
• More availability of cannabinoids

Cons

• Warmer vapor that can cause coughing
• There may be more unpleasant side effects
• A stronger high (may be unpleasant for beginners)

High temperature vaping (400-430°F)

This vaping temperature is best for seasoned cannabis users. A high temperature will activate the THC to its highest potential so you’ll get more psychoactive effects. The vapor will be hot and much less flavorful at this temperature. 

Vaping at high temperatures is often best suited for the evening as it can make you lethargic and sleepy. If you’re looking for intense euphoria and don’t mind a lack of terpenes, this could be the temperature for you. 

Pros

• An intense high
• High cannabinoid extraction rate
• Similar experience to traditional smoking

Cons

• High may be too intense for new users
• Hot vapor which may cause coughing
• Less terpenes so less flavor

The best temperature for vaping CBD oil

The boiling point for CBD is 356°F. Vaping CBD isn’t much different than vaping THC oil, as higher temperatures tend to produce the most effects. To maximize your experience when vaping CBD, a temperature of 410°F should do the trick. 

Understanding boiling points

If you really want to craft a custom vaping experience, it’s important to know the boiling points of a variety of terpenes and cannabinoids. Vaping gives you the ability to decide which of these compounds you’d like to activate in order to get the desired result. You’ll first need to educate yourself on what each of these compounds does. After that, you can use the appropriate temperature to active them. Here are the boiling points for some common compounds:

Boiling points of different terpenes:

• Linalool: 388°F 
• β-Caryophyllene: 320°F 
• β-Myrcene: 334°F
• A-Pinene: 311°F 
• Citronellol: 437°F 
• Limonene: 349°F 
• Terpinolene: 365°F 
• Humulene: 388°F 
• Phytol: 399°F 
• Caryophyllene oxide: 495°F

Boiling points of different cannabinoids:

• CBG: 126°F 
• CBC: 220°F 
• THCa: 220°F 
• CBDa: 248°F 
• THC: 315°F 
• CBD: 356°F 
• CBN: 365°F 
• THCv: 428°F 

Tips for finding the best temperature to vape CBD and THC

Finding the ideal vaping temperature will take some time and experimentation. With a little patience and a quality vape pen, you can find the best temp for you. Here are a few tips for finding your ideal temperature.

• Invest in a vape pen that has at least three temperature settings. 
• Only buy top-quality cannabis and CBD oil from vetted and legal dispensaries.
• Start off at lower temperatures and work your way up over time.
• Stick to low temperatures for morning and day-time sessions.
• Stick to high temperatures for nighttime sessions. 
• CBD has a boiling point that is slightly higher than THC so keep this in mind when switching between the two.

If you want to customize your vaping experience, changing the temperature of your vape pen is the best way to do it. Once you determine the desired effect you’re looking for, you can create that experience time and time again through vaping.