Nothing ruins the vibe of a chill smoke session like a relentless coughing fit. Though coughing is a natural part of smoking, learninghow to smoke weed without coughing can significantly reduce this inconvenience. 

Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to either minimize or completely avoid the dreaded hacking. In this article, we'll provide you with practical and easy tips to make your smoking sessions more enjoyable and cough-free, whether you’re a seasoned smoker or a newbie.

How to smoke weed without coughing

No one wants to be coughing up a storm every time they light up. Here are a few tips to help keep your lungs clear and reduce the intensity of any coughing fits.

Use a filter

Adding a filter on your joint or spliff can significantly minimize your coughing fits. Filters work by catching a good amount of tar, particulate matter, and other cough-inducing irritants before they can reach your lungs. Using filters can also provide smoother hits by refining the smoke, making it less harsh. 

Take small hits

Big hits can overwhelm your lungs with the sudden influx of smoke, triggering coughing as a natural response. Try starting with smaller, more manageable puffs to give your lungs enough time to absorb the smoke. Starting small can reduce the strain on your respiratory system and therefore, minimize coughing.

Use a vaporizer

Instead of smoking, consider using a vaporizer. Vaporizing (or vaping) heats the cannabis just enough to release its active compounds without causing combustion, resulting in a cleaner, smoother vapor that’s easier on the lungs. This method also significantly reduces the amount of harmful byproducts inhaled.

Slow Your Inhale

It's tempting to take really fast—and really deep—inhales when you first light a pipe. After all, it feels so good to inhale that first cloud of smoke. However, coughing usually intensifies when you take really fast breaths, so try to slow your inhales. Allow the smoke to steadily fill your lungs instead of trying to take it all in at once.

Slow Your Exhale

Mimic your slow inhales with equally relaxed exhales. Take your time letting the smoke out of your lungs instead of blowing it all out in one big puff. Focus on even breathing and keeping the flow of air smooth. Try this with small puffs first to find your non-coughing rhythm before gradually increasing the size of your exhales.

Utilize Your Grinder

If you're in the habit ofbreaking up cannabis by hand, you might want to rethink your approach. Hand-breaking results in a lot of small particles that can more easily be drawn into your lungs, which can cause coughing fits. Utilizing a grinder instead will give you more control over the size and consistency of your cannabis particles, which can help reduce irritation. The finer the grind, the smoother your hit will be.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can cause your mucus membranes to inflame, which makes coughing more likely. Drinking water throughout your session (and the rest of your day) will help keep your throat moist and minimize the harshness of smoke. Just make sure whatever you're downing prior to and during your sesh is cold or room temperature. Hot liquid and hot smoke are not the best combination.

Don't Hold It In

Holding in your inhale may be a sign of being a cool kid, but it's not doing your lungs any favors. Holding in your inhales keeps smoke in your lungs for longer than necessary and increases the likelihood of irritation. So while it may feel like you're getting more bang for your buck, try to avoid keeping that smoke inside you any longer than is comfortable.

Grab Those Cough Drops

Time to break out the Ricola! Having a few cough drops or mints handy can soothe your throat and lessen the effects of coughing. If you don't have any around, you can also gargle salt water to loosen any phlegm and find some temporary relief.

Smoke High-Quality Strains

Ultimately,the quality of your cannabis can make or break your session and affect the intensity of coughing fits. If you're using low-quality flower or over-aged buds, you're running a higher risk of enduring some major coughing spells. Opt for buds that are freshly harvested and grown in optimal conditions to keep irritation at bay.

Experiment With Other Cannabis Products

We love a good pipe hit as much as the next guy, but not all cannabis products are created equal when it comes to lung health. If you're looking for a smoother intake method, consider experimenting with pre-rolled joints,vape pens, tinctures, edibles, or even THC-infused drinks.  There are so many options forpartaking in a little cannabis today, and you may find that some of them suit your throat better than others.

Take A Break

If you're coughing every single time you light up, that's your body's sign that you need to slow down and take a smoking hiatus. Whether you cut down your intake, switch to edibles for a bit, or simply quit smoking altogether, giving your lungs a break (and allowing them to heal) can make all the difference. Once your throat is back to its normal self, you can start up again at a slower pace.

Why Does Smoking Make You Cough?

Smoking anything will inevitably irritate your lungs. While cannabis isn't nearly as harmful to smoke as tobacco, it can still inflame your throat and chest, which can cause a nasty cough. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that consistent marijuana smoking "is associated with large airway inflammation, increased airway resistance, and lung hyperinflation, and those who smoke marijuana regularly report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis than those who do not smoke."

So if you're a fan ofhitting a pipe after a long day at work, you'd be wise to take some extra precautions to protect your lungs. After all, coughing is a sign of inflammation and, if left unaddressed, can lead to more serious health issues down the line.

To Sum It Up

Though weed pipes can be a great way to enjoy cannabis, coughing fits can put a damper on your experience. To minimize coughing and maximize pleasure, follow the above tips to keep your throat healthy and happy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do You Hit A Pipe Without Coughing?

The best way to hit a pipe without coughing is to grind your weed as fine as possible and take small, slow inhales and exhales. Also, avoid holding in any smoke, as it will inevitably cause a coughing fit.

Why Do I Get Higher When I Cough?

You don't. It's actually a misconception that coughing while smoking increases your high. The "high" you feel is just temporary light-headedness that comes with coughing.

What Is Bong Lung?

Bong lung is an informal term for any respiratory illness or condition that results from chronic, heavy cannabis smoking. Because constant smoking of any kind can be so harmful to your lungs, it's important to take breaks and use preventive measures to keep your body healthy.